Lonely Holidays

Yes, the holidays can be lonely. The Europeans do it differentkly than the US, too. I remember St Nickolas Day when we lived in Gerrmany and the kids leave their shoes out and St Nickolas comes by in the night and leaves gifts in them -- always in early December so that mustbe close to the Dutch tradition. The gifts to you and Amara will be money deposited into your account -- including Grandma's money too. That should help for your SE Asia trip.

12.05.2007 by tomq

Erik, we're reading in the family email about your Mom and dad putting up the tree and your ornaments.

I recall Christmas 1985 in Shanghai as strange. I had been raised by you bah hmbug Ojisan, but still I was 28 years old, alone, in China and feeling the holiday. I went to the US Consulate for the party and that did not help. I went to Mass at Xujiahui (I was practicing Catholicism during that decade) and that was just as disorienting as always. Uncle Charles too me to his house and we had little gifts and a great dinner, including those eels that are like eating bicycle inner tubes. That was very nice. But I still missed home (xiangjia). I called Diane and counted the minutes of time we had to talk.

I am glad that you and Amara are together there, because sharing the perspective with your partner makes all the difference in the world about everything being lonely or not.

Before long, it will be Spring Festival in China and then we will all be amazed by what your reports of what you are living through that there isn't here in the USA.

12.05.2007 by Terry Liu

We miss you,too. It won't be the same. It is nice to know that you are also listening to the Beach Boys Christmas album. Do you have snow in Shanghai. Professor Ni just announced he will be on Sabbatical at U. of HK net semester. I imagine you will be able to see him!

Merry Christmas, you are in our thoughts and prayers. You will be home, if only in your dreams!Mom

12.08.2007 by Quarnstrom

Erik -- I have to tell a story about Aunt Diane. This was before Calathea was born and we were living in California. We took a winter trip to Northern Arizona, and stopped for dinner in an Italian restaurant in Kingman, AZ. It was very Italian, red and white checkered table cloths, people speaking in Italian, and there was a recording of Frank Sinatra playing. In her most enthusiastic loud voice, Diane exclaims, "Listen, it's Nat King Cole!"

12.21.2007 by Terry Liu