It certainly doesn't look like Christmas here in Indonesia. Between the shorts, flip flops, humid-laced rainstorms, and lack of houses clad in twinkle lights it doesn't really look like jolly ole Saint Nick is on his way. But for a few random moments sprinkled throughout the month of December it begins to at least feel a little more like Christmas.
Christmas started early this year. In mid-November, when I returned to Indonesia from a whirl-wind trip to California to boost the spirits of my sick Nama, the crew of house D-2 taunted me to stay awake through jetlag by decorating. Instead of sleeping the day away, Rob turned up the Bing Crosby and lit cinnamon-scented candles as the kids outfitted our Kuwaiti pine with years of memories and stories (in ornament form). By 8pm, our Indonesian abode looked a lot more like Christmas and we were ready for the some hot apple cider and mulled wine .
On Thanksgiving evening, Bomma arrived from Belgium with an extra suitcase filled to the brim with cold weather clothing. Rob and Anouk greeted her at the airport with loads of hugs and kisses while Angela and Xavier made an appearance at Mr. Jones' annual turkey feast. The mashed potatoes and tryptophan were enhanced by the multi-culturalness of the evening. Our plates were laden with the basic turkey-day fixing as well as somosas, sushi, and BBQ drumsticks. It still didn't quite feel like Christmas. 
The gauge turned more to jolly as the heavens opened up and the rainy season began with a vengeance. During a lunch break in the staff room, Catherine, a new teacher, stopped her story mid-stride and gaped wide-mouth at the intense rainstorm that saturated our surroundings.
But it began to feel a little more like Christmas when our children dressed up in their patterened batik and took to the stage in their annual holiday concert. Anouk presented and sang a song about Japan while Xavier and his classmates played their recorders accompanied by Beethoven's Fuer Elise. At the end of both concerts, the kids stood up and sang two rousing renditions of We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Then came baking day and the mood certainly felt a lot more like Christmas. Channeling the Betty Crocker-like baking skills of my Nama, the grade 2 and grade 4 teaching teams collaborated to bake our various family's classic holiday treats. From cereal wreaths to fudge, thumbprints to shortbread, we were baking mavens and the house was full of Christmas cheer.
Now, we look ahead to an amazing week of Christmas carols at the Koi pond, reflective learning engagements that challenge our student's wants for Christmas vs. their needs for Christmas, holiday assesmblies, and Christmas parties. By Friday afternoon, we'll be looking forward to our journey to Japan where we will spend Christmas with Cathy, David, Amy, and Randy (some of our dearest friends from our ancient life in Kenya). It is certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
Now, we look ahead to an amazing week of Christmas carols at the Koi pond, reflective learning engagements that challenge our student's wants for Christmas vs. their needs for Christmas, holiday assesmblies, and Christmas parties. By Friday afternoon, we'll be looking forward to our journey to Japan where we will spend Christmas with Cathy, David, Amy, and Randy (some of our dearest friends from our ancient life in Kenya). It is certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
