12.25.12

I know that I never finished regaling you with the excitement of my holiday in the Marshalls and Micronesia, but as it is now the end of my first Christmas away from the hearth and home, I figured I would go out of order for a change and talk about Christmas in Thailand.

I have had a difficult time wrapping my mind around the reality that it is, in fact, late December and Christmastime.  It could be because I am not with family for the first time in 32 years.  It could be because it’s not treated as particularly special here in Thailand. It could be because it’s still 85 degrees most days.  Most likely it is all these factors and more that have conspired together to make this the “Christmas That Wasn’t”.

It took me a while to notice that they had started putting up Christmas decorations around Hat Yai.  There have always been lights hanging from the trees in the medians around the city and many things are already gilded.  Over-adornment is a common theme here, so the added Christmas ornamentation didn’t have quite the impact that it creates in the States.

All gifts had been purchased back in October while on holiday and mailed or couriered to the States in November.  No Christmas shopping to do.

Christmas music didn’t start getting played until days before the big day.  I had been attempting to push myself into the Christmas mood by listening to Christmas FM while on my computer.  I could almost trick myself in to imagining that I was in a winter wonderland.  Then I would look out the window at the pouring rain and put on my cardigan to combat the demon air conditioning unit in my office.  Fantasy shattered.

The school decided to start playing Christmas music over the PA.  Unfortunately, that consisted of three songs.  Jingle Bells. We Wish You A Merry Christmas. And a mash-up of Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas with a happy hardcore beat behind it.  It was making me super Grinch-y and stabby.

Up until about five days before Christmas I didn’t even have a real plan of anything to do.  Typically, Christmas Eve is spent with The Fam at one of three family locations.  Christmas morning is breakfast at Mom and Dad’s.  Christmas dinner is casual.

The Buzz Stop had already done their Christmas/New Year’s/Anniversary/Orphanage Fundraiser on the 15^th.  It was quite a blow-out featuring a live band, free food, a magician, and lady-boy cabaret.  Raised over 40,000 baht for the orphanage in Songkhla.  Made new friends my own age.  Still no holiday spirit.

A few days before Christmas, George invited me to their private Christmas dinner at the Buzz Stop and let me know to come on Christmas Eve for a free drink.  I finally had some plans that didn’t include hanging out in my hotel room, alone, eating grilled cheese, and watching COPS.

I was hoping that my Christmas box from home would arrive in time.

It did.

On Christmas Eve.

With all the comforts of home.  A pound of beef jerky, Kraft mac ‘n’ cheese, instant apple cider, green apple Sour Punch Straws, Hostess chocolate pies, my favorite Christmas cookies (Berlinerkranzer), and a votive rotary candle holder with spinning snowflakes.

My heart grew three sizes that day.

It was no where near the excitement I normally have during the holidays, but it was a marked improvement.  I had been planning to just buy a box of Oreos to give as my student raffle present (that’s how bah-humbuggy I was feeling), but after getting my care package, I was actually motivated to put together a nice little gift instead.

I got through the Christmas day at school with a smile on my face and actually looked forward to the activity day/Christmas/New Year’s party that they were planning for the 26^th.  Based on the number of tents and chairs and stages they had set up, it was shaping up to be a pretty exciting day.  Andrew would be coming in with his entourage from Bangkok.  The mayor would be there. And I was told that I could come in at 8:30 instead of the usual 7:45 and be able to wear normal clothes.  Merry Christmas to me!

Once I got home, I painted my nails red (for the first time ever).  I actually took a blow dryer to my hair and left it down instead of the usual top-knot.  Mascara came out of the dark recesses of my travel bag.  This was the most time I had spent on appearance and preparation in the entire time I have been here.

The dinner was beyond my expectations.  A lovely table was set. There was wine and champagne. Turkey, ham, mashed and roasted potatoes, gravy, steamed veggies, and mince pie with ice cream for dessert.  Cappuccino finished off the meal. 

The best part was just the camaraderie and companionship with others who were far from home for the holidays.  Knowing that I was not alone in my loneliness.  Spending time getting to know some of the members of my global village.

It had become the “Christmas That Was”.