24th of December today. 3rd year in a row I get to celebrate Xmas in a place where Xmas is not celebrated in the normal way. Xmas in China is a working day like the rest of Asia. You get to see advertisements and hear Xmas songs all over the place, that’s a bit strange. In Singapore where it is summer Xmas is somewhat strange. Xmas decorations and Summer weather do not fit well together. Japan is a different story altogether. You will be amazed to know that Japan the 24th is the biggest dating day. Couples go to hotels have a nice dinner there and then get a room for the night.
That means the prices for room in Japan on the 24th are astronomically expensive. Dinners and drinks receive the same treatment. Everyone is out shopping during these days. 23 and 24th are national public holidays in Japan. Strange isn’t it? It is the emperor’s Bday and you get no work before xmas but then you have to work on Xmas day. That makes not a lot of sense but this is life.
Xmas is not a religious holiday, I repeat it is not a religious holiday at least for 80% for those who celebrate it. Xmas is the spirit of family getting together and having a nice time during the end of the year. It is about giving and receiving, a time where you feel the need to do some good. During Xmas the weather outside is gloomy and cold(unless you live in the southern Hemisphere) and this contrast is what makes xmas fantastic. Families celebrate in the warm houses where everybody is happy to see each other again while outside is cold. Family provides safety and security and if someone has no family he spends xmas with friends and loved ones.
Yes Christmas is a now consumer’s holiday, a reason for everybody to splurge on his new gadget, fo the kids to get the new Rambo doll they saw on TV(if advertising is allowed). I mean the whole atmosphere is great. People smile to you and forget their troubles even for a while. Others find an excuse to eat a bit more the extra cake .
For all of you out there Enjoy today and tomorrow. This may sound bad but at least most of us who can read this text we have our eye sight, we can hear the music coming out of the speakers(I am listening to Nightwish now), we can use our fingers to type, we can feed ourselves, walk, run. There are humans who unfortunately cannot enjoy these pleasures. What we consider normal(the above actions) is like a luxury these people will never have. Remember thqat and try to enjoy every moment of your life. Chances come and go but life is what we make out of it. Like a box of chocolates.
christmas is giving happiness.you get what you give.
life is happiness
Posted by: artemis | December 25, 2007 at 22:31