09 Xmas and New Year10

One blink and it's Xmas again. I was home last xmas with mom and dad, Asako and Meredith. We went to the Nutcracker Ballet on xmas Eve... Nutcracker is my happy interpretation of Christmas when I was a child. It is a western holiday after all, I was not away from it. Because my mom was learning English, our family was friends with some canadian missionaries who came to China and taught English to my mom and her fellow colleagues. When xmas comes, they would decorate the tree and put up the decoration and cards. One teacher is Ms Page, the other one is called Ms Lieu who was a Cantonese descendant. Actually, they don't have to decorate their homes for xmas to make it more attractive, because they are already attractive enough. I think their stuff is antique-looking and pretty. Mom always speak of their habit. Such as if there is one single hair on the floor, it would be picked up; or they put food residue back to the fridge so it would not smell funny in the trash. Besides these two Canadians, xmas meant cheerful music to me. Rudolf Red Nose the Reindeer, Jingle Bell, and some other new year's songs are all my favorite. Later I grow up, our family would watch the annual new year's concert in Vienna in TV.

But things changed after I came to America, because these songs are not any special for them and they've got a lot more! One of the most important thing is eating and drinking, which is quite similar to what we do in Chinese New Year. E.g. the first year I came here we had huge honey baked ham; this year we are had prime rib. Also one other important thing is presents. In movies and TV shows, Christmas tree is always depicted with lots of presents under. It's all realized at Heathe'rs. Even now, I'm a junior in college, can still get lots of presents. I got a pair of really cute pink bunny slippers which I really like. Tracing back to when I was little, I was particularly crazy for slippers. Usually for girls, the presents are small cosmetics, personal care, etc. For boys, games. Even adults get a lot of presents. But always, one big central present is involved. No wonder christmas is the biggest sale season. Aunt says it's about 60% of the sale for the whole year. Word.

So this year, Heather's mom's here and she cooked a lot of good food. Particularly some lovely bread. Oishi...I want to make it myself some time.

Here are some pics... pics are truth...(I really like this phrase recently)

This is at the little place for christmas sale. A real xmas tree has a fresh scent. After decorating with lights, it's more energetic-looking.

Liz and Colin are moving the tree. And I'm taking pictures with the dogs. That's Echo.

Colin and Echo. Heather's boyfriend has a very long sword. It's almost as tall as me.

I try to pose the dog and the little chimp, but it didn't work out that well. So I only have this one.

This is Lee's house (Heather's boyfriend). It's very beautiful after snowing.

Heather's Mom's Short Bread ( I guess...). It's lovely and tasty, especially after honey butter.

This is me. I was distracted when preparing my outfit for the competition at Fed. Basically the middle pictue shows my autumn and winter (warm) outfit. But I truly wish I'm a bit taller. Wahaha...

FDS work trip 2009 Fall

So this is the slide show video I made for the Friends Disaster Service this fall (2009). I meant to make it the weekend after we went but I procrastinated...(but usually I procrastinate anyways...)

Anyways, it's the third work trip I've been on and I really like them so far. This trip was to Ararat Mountain, NC, which is just within about 2 hours driving distance from Guilford.

The meals are also the best among the work trips I have been on. One day I had 3 bowls of soup...(I have to admit that I have a big appetite). Also the local friends made some clamp chowder soup...yum yum

Anyways, enjoy the video...

Under the Sea

The sea and the land are two separate worlds. The princess of the sea is in torture because of her unrealistic love under the sea, but she suffers from walking while she is up there because every step she takes is like walking on a sharp knife.

Only the princess knows the bleeding love. Yet she still loves the human world. She collected all kinds of chotchkies and finally went up to the droughty world except she can never return.

Sometimes I feel like I'm like the little mermaid who struggles in this different world. Giving up her father, grandmother and sisters, she comes to the land with no one to depend on. I gave up my care-free life and came to the culturally-reversed country.

But how could i be like her, to be with the prince even when she's walking on the tips of the knives; how could I be like her, to pursue an eternal soul?

Will she be lonely? Where will her soul end up? This is the most beautiful and most lamenting fairy tales I have ever read. Her love breaks along with the knife cuts the sky into the sea. The setting sun melts her into an eternal soul.

I reach for you, but you are so far away. Your glowing rays of light are calling me, so I move forward but I'm afraid that I will be burnt. My prince, will you love me? Do you know I am the silent mermaid?