Sleigh bells Ring...are you listening...

As I walked to the bus stop today, this little jingle popped its way into my headc and I had to chuckle when I got to "walking in a winter wonderland" because my surroundings embody nothing that a winter wonderland defines ~ at least not to the standards I'm used to. For me, the Christmas season is generally filled with well, snow for starters, loads of Christmas Carols (to the point of annoyance), shopping, comfort foods and sweets, sledding, $1 ice skating, eggnog, hot cocoa, Christmas lights, snow angels, snow fights, snow forts and lots of red and green. As I strolled down the street y in my sweater and jeans, I looked up and saw rows of bare trees and the sun was shining brightly and warming my face. That's when it clicked, there's just so much sun and blue skies here! That's a big part of why it doesn't feel like Christmas here! I've certainly seen more sun this month than GR gets all winter!

Speaking of Christmas, this is my first time away for the holiday. I've always made it back a few days before and was able to enjoy the festivities with my family. It makes me a tiny bit sad, but I'm excited for the big dinner celebration and gift exchange here amongst the foreign group. It also helps that my brother won't be home so I'm not the only one missing out on the Koeman family traditions...which generally consist of a bunch of hard headed individuals bickering over stupid mundane things, my dad belting out Christmas carols with such good intentions and my brother or sister wrapping their gifts with loads of ductape in boxes much too large for their contents. That, or the massive consumption of food: stromboli, potatoes, green beans, cheesy potatoes, wine, punch, pie, cookies and bars, mmmmmmmmmmm. All is good though; the menu here is looking to be quite promising as well.

So yes. Even though Gimhae, or Korea in general, isn't as "Christmasy" as back home, I can feel myself getting pretty excited for the holiday. I'm sure the day will pass quickly and it's back to work on the 26th, but Steve & MeiLi (friends from home who are currently teaching in Japan) are coming the 29th to ring in the New Years...and those of you from the G-Rap know what that means...eggs, bacon, sausage rolls, toast and lots and lots of coffee....