It’s tinsel’y and it's Christmas.
It’s hot pink, electric blue and purple and it’s Christmas.
It’s hot and it’s Christmas.
The days are the same as they were in July...albeit slightly cooler and wetter...and it’s Christmas.
It simply does not feel like Christmas.
We definitely worked hard to make it feel as Christmas'y as possible! The school did a great job of honoring Christmas complete with parties and a 1st grade concert where the kids sang "Ling Ling the Red Nosed Reindeer."
We went to see Christmas choirs, saw an official tree lighting, decorated gingerbread houses (which was clearly a project for the parents:)), went on a bus tour to see the city Christmas lights, and I even broke down and bought new Christmas decorations (what was I thinking not bringing my decorations with me to Singapore??) We did everything we would normally do, and then some, to make this as "normal" as possible.
I am surprised as to why I didn't feel "Christmas." I grew up in Southern California...we always wore shorts or sundresses for Christmas! What I have come to realize is that Christmas is now a reflection of what I see in my girls' eyes. The two of them have only ever known Christmas as it is in Wisconsin. They don't have 30 years of "other" ways...they know only one way. And try as we might...this was NOT the Christmas they have come to know, love and look forward to. As with all things, I am sure the next Christmas will be significantly easier - time and experiences tend to ease the shock factor. I do have to admit that I thought getting through the initial transition would be the the hump to get over. I guess in hindsight it still was, but Christmas took me by surprise.
What also surprises me is how much Christmas is embraced in Singapore. There are no taboos about saying “Merry Christmas.” There is no fear of offending someone who does not celebrate Christmas. Truth be told, less than 15% of the population are Christians. Even so, the streets are fully decked out. Many Singaporeans have a Christmas tree in their apartment even though they are not Christian. I have been warmly wished "Merry Christmas" by Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims...it seems to be one jolly bowl of harmony amongst the different religions!!:)
And on a humorous note...here is a poem scripted just for Singapore and it is very fitting:
The Night Before Christmas in Singapore
(author unknown)
‘Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the town,
No noses were frozen, no snow fluttered down.
No children in flannels were tucked into bed,
They all wore their shorty pajamas instead.
On patios and pool decks sat Daddies and Mums,
‘Neath mango, papaya and coconut palms.
The slumbering kiddies were dreaming with glee,
In hopes of finding TOYS’R’US under the tree.
They all knew that Santa was well on his way,
In a new Mercedes instead of a sleigh.
He whizzed down the highways
and squeezed down the roads,
Dodging the cycles while peddling his loads.
He sprang from his car as quick as a wink,
Was dressed in Bermudas of red, white and pink.
There weren’t any chimneys,
but that caused no gloom,
For Santa, in Singapore comes
through Amah’s room.
He stopped at each condo
and stayed only a minute,
As he emptied his bag of the toys that were in it.
Then to the table for a Singapore Sling,
(He’d tied all the presents with glittering string.)
Next he leaped into his car and threw it in gear,
And drove down Orchard singing
songs of good cheer.
But we heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas, Singapore,
And to all a good night, lah.”
A very belated "Merry Christmas" to you all!!
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