Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Synchronicity at Christmas in Hanoi
I had a very good but busy Christmas. Almost as hectic as back home. A lot of cover work for other teachers and a lot of shopping! But I still managed to enjoy the holiday.
I performed a poem at the Christmas talent show and got a positive reaction. At Lang Hoa Binh, the children were thrilled with their gifts and sharing in the spoils of candy I won with my poetry.
I went to Huy's house on Christmas Day after attending mass at St. Joe's Cathedral. It was the coolest thing--I wrote a poem about a boat in the morning and then Huy and his family gave me a painting of a boat at lunch! Talk about synchronicity! In the evening I had a small party for some of my students and a staff member from work, Ms. Quynh. It was fantastic. We had pizza, drank Dalat wine and sang karaoke. I bought a karaoke machine for my house and obtained an English karaoke DVD in Thailand. A great time!
I performed a poem at the Christmas talent show and got a positive reaction. At Lang Hoa Binh, the children were thrilled with their gifts and sharing in the spoils of candy I won with my poetry.
I went to Huy's house on Christmas Day after attending mass at St. Joe's Cathedral. It was the coolest thing--I wrote a poem about a boat in the morning and then Huy and his family gave me a painting of a boat at lunch! Talk about synchronicity! In the evening I had a small party for some of my students and a staff member from work, Ms. Quynh. It was fantastic. We had pizza, drank Dalat wine and sang karaoke. I bought a karaoke machine for my house and obtained an English karaoke DVD in Thailand. A great time!
Labels: Christmas, religion and culture, Viet Nam and the West
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Christmas in a far away land
Thefamiliar things are still here. Santas and Trees. Lights strung and glittering. Even the carols: We wish you a Merry Christmas, The First Noel (and a newer one We will live forevermore because of Christmas Day). But the shops, schools and offices go on. It's a decoration, not a reason to come home.
Most people don't exchange presents on Christmas, as Tet is the big holiday here. Some songs such as the ones above and "Jingle Bells" are familiar, and even have Vietnamese versions. Other customs such as Christmas stockings and reindeer, Wisemen and Angels, are totally unfamiliar. It's a weird thing to experience Christmas here!
But it was not an empty Christmas!
I went to St. Joseph's and that was the most familiar. I bought a creche at the book shop there and a few days later attended a packed mass on Christmas morning. This really again got me in contact with my spiritual roots. Just as enriching was going to the Christmas party at Lang Hoa Binh on Christmas Eve. The children just lit up at the presents I gave them. The joy they felt really was the best gift you can get! Then I went to Huy's house on Christmas Eve. I passed on a tradition that I rreceived from my friend Barb of pizza and scrabble on Christmas Eve! It was a blast! People from the neighborhood came and it was a great party! I received a coat, ornaments and a cute coffee cup from Huy, his family and Huong, a neighbor who I also teach! It was just a super day!
You can see more about my Christmas on my you tube and my space websites.
www.myspace.com
(look for lawalsh)
www.youtube.com
(look for maryecroy)
Labels: Catholic Church, Christmas, Viet Nam and the West
