Christmas came and went and now onto the new year, 2010. Has anyone seen 2012? Maybe I should stay in China a few more years. According to the movie China will be the last country on Earth to disappear under water.
My Christmas party was great. Many people were missing (I am talking about you), but I still managed to have some fun! Since I have no oven, I cooked up some rice crispy treats in the shape of candy canes and wreaths. I made salsa and hummus. Since I have no blender, I used a wooden spoon and bowl to make hummus. Took some time, but everyone enjoyed the comfort foods. My Chinese friends loved the rice crispy treats, too!
This was the 1st year in my life I ever had to work or go to school on my birthday! I have always been spoiled by being on Christmas break. My mother was like “oh what a surprise, everyone always works on their birthdays!” I am so sorry for you all because it sucks!
Christmas fell on a Friday. I stayed up till 1:00 AM the night before preparing my last lesson because I had uninvited guest sitting in on my class. Some Expo people and a local news station. The probably broadcasted me singing to Backstreet Boys, I want it that way. My wonderful Christian students took me to a fancy Chinese lunch. The host of lunch, ordered from the one menu the restaurant provides for the table. Before we began eating they had me lead them in prayer. It was really special since I was missing Christmas dinner with my family. After lunch we went to one of my students homes. Her husband is a CEO and her 12 year old daughter studies in Canada. Her home was beautiful. 2 stories, french inspired, large rooms with an enormous patio. She apologized for the white lace covers on the yellow couch. She said they are there to protect the couches from all the dust that the city blows in. I told her my mother does the same thing to protect the couches from the cat hair. Before I left, she unloaded her cabinets on me. She gave me unopened crackers, a box of chrysanthemum tea, and gogi berries to put in it. With my hands full I managed to leave my cell phone that I had recovered later that weekend.
Christmas night was the work party. You know how that goes. Everyone gets a few drinks in them and loosens up a bit. Our Chinese boss dressed up as Santa and passed out gifts. We had a mini Christmas KTV (karaoke) session and then off we went by 9:30, since many of us worked the next day.
On new years eve I was invited by a student to learn how to make jao tza, dumplings. It was a wonderful treat. I brought Andrea along. We stuffed and folded 100 dumplings. There are several ways to fold. The one Chinese women stood over my shoulder and showed me her way to fold them. When I would finish one she’d say to me “it’s ok” and then we would try again. There is a method to cooking them. Let water boil, add dumplings. Let water boil, add cold water. Do that 3 times. My Chinese friend Sean was in disagreement that his mother only lets water boil twice. I guess everyone has their own recipe.
The following night, I shared my newly learned knowledge and taught a group of friends ,who were visiting for the weekend, how to make them. Andrea described making dumplings like decorating cookies at Christmas. Everyone sits around the tableand does it together. It’s really nice and something I can easily make for you when I come back.
My winter holiday will begin January 22. I is much needed. Tomorrow I will begin to plan a trip to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where I will spend a few weeks traveling. 
More to come on that!
I have always been so blessed with such wonder friends and family. And know that this year will be a great one, as the ones before. Hope you enjoyed your holiday and happy new year!
