It's that time of year again

and I kinda like the way the Czech's do it, with their open air Christmas markets and hot wine everywhere. It makes it seem magical, or as magical as any consumer driven bribe fest can be. Now, I know I fall pray to the bribe fest too, taking immense pride in my gift giving abilities, often finding something really personalized the receiver didn't even know they wanted. I still think it is bullshit. However, over here, I have almost gotten into it this year. Mind you, I don't have any decorations up, but I love wandering through the little Christmas market in town, sipping hot wine or grog, breathing in the smell of roasted chestnuts (probably one of my top five favorite smells), and marveling at the craftsmanship of some of the wares people are peddling. It is pretty amazing.

I also got a present from one of my students and a million hugs from my favorite class after listening to them scream out the answers to the Christmas flashcards, especially Santa, in order to get more Christmas cookies I baked for them and laughing with them about how excited they were. Even my most difficult class seemed a little less obnoxious this week. I guess they are afraid the baby Jesus (that is who brings their gifts. I know what you are thinking, "but wait, I thought the Czechs were a bunch of well meaning drunk Atheists?" Well they are. I wish I could explain the whole baby Jesus bringing them presents thing, but I can't.) would really be watching this close to the big day.

These things have managed to quell the strange sadness I feel about not being home with my family this year for the first time ever. I miss shopping for my nephews. I miss cooking for the family. I find I actually miss the fact that Victorian Christmas' of years past vomit in my mother's house every year and take over every room, I mean quite literally EVERY ROOM!!!!! I guess that is why I purposely didn't decorate this year. I really didn't think I would miss those little traditions we have, like spending hours shopping/arguing for a tree (which was my favorite part), listening to Nat King Cole's Christmas album as we decorated it, and finally, dancing around the kitchen to something decidedly unChristmasy (I think last year it was NOFX) as I made dinner,  but a part of me really, really does.

So to my people back home. I wish you a Happy Christmas, filled with good food, good times, and people you love.