The last few weeks i've been quoting that famous Tom Hanks/ Forest Gump quote in my head, " Life is like a box of chocolates, you never quite know what you're gonna get." It seems that lately I never quite know what to expect, emotionally and in my day to day life. Christmas time here has been an interesting one. At first I was really excited for Christmas lights and such here, but quickly realized what makes lights so pretty is the snow that surrounds them, they don't quite have the same effect with rain pouring down all around. We have some decorations up in our piso, but mostly I find myself missing the festiveness at home. Needless to say it has been somewhat emotional experiencing Christmas away from home. One day i'm really excited and enjoying Christmas in another culture, and the next thing you know I can't even listen to Christmas music because it makes me miss home. I was literally baking Christmas cookies listening to Kenny G in a great mood, and then the later as I was walking to the gym I wanted to cry because nothing was Christmassy to me anymore. Good grief, I never know what to expect with my emotions. But then one day, I walked into the second grade class room (I always go there when I have some extra time, they are my favorites) and they were practicing for the Christmas program. They were singing the little drummer boy (in Spanish of course). And as I listened to them I was filled with joy. They were singing their hearts out, completely in Spanish and it filled me with passion for this language that I have studied for so long and grown to love. It made me grateful for the ability to live my everyday life, relatively normally, in Spanish. Like I said, you never know what is going to make you stop and re-evaluate things.
There have been many things that have been "box of chocolate like" over these few weeks but this week has really stood out for me. This saying became even more pronounced for me when, on monday, the mom of the girls I teach private lessons for gave me a box of chocolates as a Christmas present. That settled it, this was my motto for next few days.
Monday morning I was walking to school and as I rounded the corner to street my school was on I passed by the 4 and 5 year olds walking out of the school with their their teachers. Awesome, Monday mornings I teach the 4 and 5 year olds. So I go into the school and the teacher I teach with tells me they are going to see a nativity and we are going with! Now for us in the states we have nativity scenes in our houses as decorations, they do here as well, but they are so much more important to them. Chapels, and churches and schools make huge nativity displays for the public to go see. The only thing I can think of that would help you understand is the Macy's 8th floor display. Now obviously not nearly as grand as that, but large detailed nativity scene that is roped off and children walk by and see. So Monday I got to go see a nativity scene. Excellent unexpected chocolate.
Tuesday was the day of the program. Yes the day of the bilingual Christmas play I had been helping out with was finally here. I helped the kids change into their costumes and let me say they looked adorable. Even though it was only an elementary school play that still needed work (they had to stop half way through and find their spot) they kids and parents went all out for costumes. The wise men had wigs and beards and everything. One thing that truly struck me during the program was the parent participation. This thing was in the middle of the day, but families were there all the same. Moms and dads. The importance of family here can really be seen through how much the parents are around this place. Taking off in the middle of a Tuesday to watch my child's Christmas play? No problem, we will work without you until you get back. Thats what's important here, very different from home. But anyways the play went great and the kids were so proud, as was I. The rest of the grades all sang a Christmas carol as well. There is just about nothing cuter than kids singing, and then add the Spanish, it was adorable. After school that day we had the Christmas lunch with the teachers (which I only found out was happening on Monday). Everyone brought something to eat and we just had the lunch at school. It was very typical food. Tortilla Española (egg and potato dish, like quiche), gambas (shrip, complete with heads and skin and all), olives, jamon, cheese, bread and of course beer. After we had all eaten our fill they broke out the musical instruments and one of the teachers brought his guitar. We spent the next few hours singing Christmas carols, and sevillana (which is flamenco music). At one point several of the teachers got up and started dancing flamenco. I of course didn't know any of the words to anything so I just sat back, with my instrument, and just took It all in. They did sing Feliz Navidad and included the English part for me. But that afternoon was one of the moments where I had to ask myself, "is the really my life?"
The next day came with more unexpectedness (strange chocolates if you will, that you aren't sure about, but then decide you really like). The students had Christmas parties in their classes the last 2 hours of the day. The parents bring food and the kids just hang out and play. It was odd for me that parents stayed for the party too, but I guess thats normal here. There was more Tortilla Española, chips, olives and beer for the parents. But there were no organized games. The kids were just alloyed to run around free in the school. Strange I would say, but who am I to judge. Near the end one of the dads came out to the open area where the kids were playing and organized a game of an impromtu hide and go seek like game. Children running screaming and being spun around by this father. Yes, all inside the school. Oh and I forgot to mention, the kids were visited by the 3 kings today. They came and passed out candy and the students told them what they wanted for Christmas. Here the three kings bring the presents, not Santa.
Having finished this totally unexpected week I find myself grateful. True I am spending my first Christmas away from home, but I get to live out how another culture celebrates. This week has totally been one big long cultural experience and that is exactly why I came here in the first place. It is easy for me to loose sight of that at time, but I'm glad to have weeks like this when my passion for learning about this culture and language is reignited. So now I am about to leave and spend Christmas in Paris. Another adventure since we don't even know if we can get there because of the bad weather they have been having. But I guess I'll just have to wait and see what kind of chocolate i'm going pick out tomorrow. . .
Merry Christmas to all of you! I love and miss you all.
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