Selamat Natal

Merry Christmas everyone! Today is Christmas and so far it has been by far the most lackluster Christmas ever. I don't mean this in an utterly depressing way, as I didn't expect otherwise, but the fact is that there has been little to differentiate it from any other day. We DID have a mini feast today at school (after I had to give a speech), however that was actually a party to celebrate my conclusion of school, not actually a Christmas meal in any way. It also meant that I spent last night writing said speech, and got up extra early this morning to copy it off of the computer. Two graduations in one year, look at me go!

Given the fact that I find myself here in this hot, predominantly Muslim country for the holiday season, I've had to do some serious reflecting on the holidays. Given the religious nature of holidays, it really shouldn't matter where you are as long as you think about the right things and pray, right? However, because I'm not particularly religious person, I find that for me the holidays are much more important in terms of family, tradition and culture. Coming from two religious backgrounds I've always celebrated two sets of holidays, and immensely enjoyed it, seeing it as my good fortune to have more traditions, more holidays (more presents?). Hanukkah came and went unnoticed here, obviously. However there is a small, but significant, Christian population here, as well as the infiltration of American culture. All this meant that Christmas is observed, given a nod of approval and is a national holiday, but not much else seems to happen.

All this made me realize how much for me the Holiday season means cold weather, means twinkly lights everywhere, Holiday movies on TV every day from Thanksgiving till Christmas, but mostly means family. It means huge meals with family that I don't get to see everyday, and cooking up a storm with family that I do. During college, Christmastime also usually meant being reunited with friends from High School I hadn't seen since the summer.

Here there has been no build up to Christmas, in fact I found myself often forgetting that it was December until I saw the odd decorations in a store here or there. It was unsurprising then that after no build up, and with no family or friends, I'm really left with no holiday. Despite this, I'm thinking of all my family and friends out there and wishing them Happy Holidays and thinking thankful thoughts for the very lucky life I lead. A life that includes not only wonderful friends and family (whom I miss dearly), but also the opportunity to be on an adventure such as this one.