Merry Christmas to All, Again Belated

Now, how does one get into the Holiday Spirit when it is 75-80 degrees and sunny all the time? Honestly, it is hard? The decorations feel out of place and there are not that many houses that do things like Christmas lights. Without the cold, it does not feel the Christmas season. However, it does allow for a few different things, like an outdoor Christmas concert. This is the Carols ni the domain, and they are a week before Christmas. A bunch of music groups/artists from Oz as well as Santa and other get on stage and perform a bunch of Christmas music. It was alot of fun. Also, as the pictures show, everyone gets a candle, and it is a BIG crowd. Very cool to see at night.

Otherwise, Christmas Eve rolled around, and again I was homesick, even more than Thanksgiving. Once masses, dinner, and Christmas day rolled around, though, it passed, thanks to the wonderful hospitality of the Sullivan family. Thank you for taking me in for the Holidays, it was great fun. I almost fell over laughing when I got my "Australian" gifts - which included Vegemite and the best of all - some giftwrapped Foster's beer. Which, no one here drinks and apparently took forever to find, resulting in the hilarious irony.

Also, a special thank you to my family (bocheneks and Mcdermotts), for the cards, emails, and especially for singing "We wish you a Mery Christmas" over speakerphone. It is great. I hope everyone was able to have a safe and happy Christmas.