This was my third (and best) Christmas in China. It's great to be surrounded by a larger community instead of just a tiny team of 3 or 4 people, as I was when I lived in Qufu. Here's how I celebrated the holiday.
Pre-Christmas: Shopping and preparing
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| Free Santa hat with juice purchase. Sara and I couldn't resist. |
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| Can you see the stuffed dragons hanging in the tree? |
Stuffing small stockings to give to freshmen and other Chinese friends:
Christmas parties with students:
Christmas Eve Celebrations:
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| Making my mom's sweet-and-sour meatballs |
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| Meal and gift exchange with friends from around town |
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| What could it be? |
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| My gift to the Burchams: Angry Birds face warmers |
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| Christmas Eve service in our apartment |
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| Can you see my roommate playing the erhu back there? Beautiful 2-stringed Chinese instrument. |
Christmas Day: Fun with family and team
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| Christmas brunch with Sara and Cathy |
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| Opening presents "with" my family. I opened my package from home while they did their Christmas Eve gift exchange. |
Christmas afternoon bike ride to the beach:
Christmas Dinner with my team: My teammate's homemade lasagna
Looks like a really awesome Christmas, Alison!
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