Christmas in Xi'an

I've already mentioned there are Santas and Christmas trees aplenty--I'm so disappointed not to find gorgeous nativities, either to see or to buy.  But many people are aware of the coming holiday , and choose to celebrate with parties and good food.

Our focus has  been trying to provide service to our students and friends.  I've made several hotpads and ribbon bookmarks.  Tim hauled a Christmas tree on the bus to deliver to one of our teacher friends, Kristy.  We have enjoyed hosting home-cooked dinners for the foreign teachers from France and Slovakia, and our BYU friends.  My rolls were a hit!

Tim has dressed as Santa--to the delight of many students. We bought 350 large candy canes to distribute.  One little girl whispered in his ear that she would really like a beautiful white dress.  So I
hope her "Santa" can make that dream come true.

XJTU sponsored a dumpling-making demo.  We're getting pretty good at pinching them together.  They boiled them, we ate them, then took some fresh ones home.  I gave them a quick boil, then put a little oil in a pan and fried them up--They're even better as potstickers.  Tradition dictates that if you eat dumplings on the winter solstice (Dec. 21-22) you will not have cold ears in the winter...

XJTU also hosted a Christmas luncheon and gave us lovely bamboo silk scarves.  We had a nice anniversary dinner at an elegant restaurant called "The Moon" with Diane and Kristy.

The highlight of our celebrations was an invitation to a Christmas Eve buffet with our friends the Gaos--held at the Grand New World Hotel.  I nearly cried when I walked into the lobby and  found a glowing Christmas tree, angels, and elves.  It finally felt like the real holiday.  The food was sumptuous, and the program afterward lasted 3 hours! There were singers, dancers, magicians, a clown, and a talented trumpet/horn player.  Even Michael Jackson appeared--quite the imposter.  There were door prizes--the Gaos won an overnight stay at the hotel with 2 free breakfasts.  They gave the coupon to us, so when we finish our finals we will go back to celebrate.

Finally Christmas Day...Enjoyed a quick phone call to Clark and Char Family in St. George, then off to classes.  It was my writing class so I had them write descriptive paragraphs about Christmas trees and Santa.  The jolly old elf (Prof. Taylor) appeared and gave them each a candy cane.  My 20-year old university students were as delighted as any 7-year old you've ever seen.  Likewise Tim's students were thrilled and line up for hugs and pictures--needing a grandpa I suppose. 

That evening (after Tim taught all day) we were suddenly able to download the First Presidency Christmas fireside.  Our internet is pretty sporadic. That was a tender mercy to be able to watch those beautiful messages and listen to the beloved Christmas music.  Of course, the very best gift was reading the sweet service emails from our children and grandchildren, and visiting with them on the phone.  It was a very simple and uncomplicated Christmas, but one we will always remember--with ever greater appreciation for our Savior Jesus Christ.

December in Xi'an

Hurray, eight of my nine classes are over the first week in December.  I finally have a little free time to breathe.  The first week was warmish (mid-40’s) so Mr. Gao took us to Huaqing Palace Hot Springs near the Terra Cotta Warriors.  It was beautiful and tranquil--built long ago by. a Chinese Emperor for his lady love. Tim and the men tried to hike the mountains, but I just wandered the lovely gardens and shopped and found my favorite Magnum ice cream bar.

We've explored Xi'an a little more, experimenting with the bus system to find our way around.  At 16 cents a ride it's more than a bargain.  In fact sometimes we get a massage by being squished tighter than sardines, and trying to make our way from the front door to the middle when we need to exit.  We've enjoyed shopping in the Muslim Market, and eating noodles and gelato.  (Yes, 2 different stores).

We stopped at the Big Goose Pagoda and watched the synchronized water show.  We found the city wall, and the Shaanxi Museum which has artifacts that are 5000 years old.  They buried their beautiful treasures in the Emperors Caskets and mausoleums, so many brass, iron, and potteries are very well preserved.

I've discovered IKEA across the city.  It's worth the trip to eat some Western food (salmon or Swedish meatballs), buy lingonberry jam, and European chocolates! No they don't have a “cheese slicer” among the kitchen gadgets, nor does anyone else in China.  They told me to use a normal knife.  A brick of Gouda cheese is one of our luxuries here.

I was finally able to order some cotton crochet thread through Amazon China and a student, so I'm busily crocheting hot pads for friends and neighbors.  Plus I'm hosting a couple of Christmas dinners, so no boredom here even though I don't have to go to class so often. Tim still has a double-full load of classes twice a week, and we both have to teach on Christmas Day.  Boo-hoo!  We're planning to take the high-speed bullet train to Beijing for New Years, so that will give us something to look forward to.

Bookmarks

I had one of my students order me a huge skein of yarn from the Chinese equivalent of Amazon.  I've been crocheting like mad making hot pads for Christmas gifts.  I've also been making ribbon bookmarks for my students. 

One of my students said it was the "most precious gift she'd ever received" and she loved my intricate weaving.  Dad says she just wants a good grade. 

Thanksgiving

It has been really fun discussing Thanksgiving traditions with my culture classes.  I especially emphasized gratitude and thankfulness.  They were awed at pictures of a thanksgiving feast.  Most of them have never tasted turkey and they would love me to make bake them a turkey dinner with pumpkin pie.  But it ain't gonna happen, especially in my toaster oven!  I tried pumpkin snicker doodles.  They were just ok.  But we enjoyed traditional pumpkin pancakes.  i’m seeing how far I can stretch my can of pumpkin that cost $5.00!

I also assigned my students to write or We Chat me about what they were grateful for.  Most are truly devoted to their parents and thankful for their upbringing, and the sacrifices and efforts their parents and some grandparents have made to get them this far at XJTU university.  There were truly some poignant stories.

Instead of me cooking,Annie and her hubby, the chef at the Italian restaurant, are willing to serve a thanksgiving dinner every night for a week.  So on Friday, November 20 we enjoyed homemade cream of mushroom soup, Cobb salad, turkey with blueberry sauce, a dab of potatoes and peas, spaghetti (?), and cheesecake with a peach and ice cream for dessert.  All of our BYU friends came too.

Then the following Wednesday, Thanksgiving eve, we invited Mr. And Mrs. Gao to join us for another round of the same dinner.  They brought along her brother and sis- in-law, who surprisingly spoke some English!  The Gaos speak no English besides “good morning, beautiful,” and our names.  We also included George, our translator friend, and John, the middle school teacher who made the initial phone call that brought us all together.  Everyone enjoyed the meal. First time they had ever eaten turkey.  The men especially cleaned up every bite on their plates. ( I had the foresight to ask for my pasta in a takeout container).

We felt very fortunate to be able to share this special occasion with Chinese people who have truly become our friends.  It made missing our family a little easier.  Friday morning we called Clark and Char’s house and talked to all of our children and spouses, and most of the grandchildren as they ran past a phone.  I walked to class with a happy heart that morning.

My gratitude list is greatly expanded this year, with some basics like clean water and sunshine.  I am especially grateful for our new friends, wonderful students, challenging and adventurous experiences, our LDS Branch, and the opportunity to reflect the light of the gospel in China.