Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear Capergirl,
Ah, your daughter. Well, that makes the sentiment you expressed not only more understandable but also, I'd say, more laudable. And a Merry (or do Canadians also say "Happy"?) Christmas to the both of you.
Regards,
John

[Capergirl]

It's Merry Christmas here, too. The same to you and yours John!

[Guest]

My Partner is flying into Shanghai on the 30th Dec. from Australia so I am looking forward to that.

I asked for Christmas Day off to take the presents to the orphanage children and I was granted the day off - it is a normal working day here - which I did not realise before.

I still do now know how much time I have off - I will probably be told 5 minutes before I leave for Shanghai. I believe the children have exams so I will not have to teach for most of January.

I still have to break the news to my partner that I am not returning to Australia at the end of June - he is not going to be impressed!

The orphans need me more than he does - he is a big boy. I have already stocked up on beer for him (he also does not know it will be below zero while he is here) - it is very cheap here - thank heavens.
It will be about 30 degrees when he flies out of Brisbane and about 2 degrees when he lands at Shanghai - coming from Queensland he does not own any winter clothing. I did now own any either and some of the teachers here have taken pity on me and bought me an overcoat and jumper etc. I imply refused to buy myself anything until I had all the Christmas presents under control.

I find myself looking forward to Christmas more than I have done in the last 20 years. Children really make christmas - if you are not surrounded by children it is all just commerical hype.

[denise]

Rhonda--

I hope you and your partner get through the cold winter in good spirits! It sounds like you'll do just fine.

Your comment about children puzzled me. Isn't commercialization geared as much towards children as towards any other age group? (picture all those ads on TV for all of the latest toys, gizmos, etc.--designed to get parents into shops and open up their wallets) Of course, not all parents, and not all kids, for that matter, succumb to the lure of material possessions.

I can assure you that it is possible for adults who are not surrounded by children to have a commercialization-free (or minimal, at least) holiday. I always look forward simply to being with family and friends (and giving presents), not to getting presents.

d

edit: It has been pointed out to me that the children to whom you were referring are orphans--something that is clearly stated in your post and in other posts. I guess my response was based on a broader generalization of your comment--that children=lack of commercialization. In your case, I do agree with you. In the case of well-off or moderately-well-off (or even not-so-well-off) Western children, I do still believe that commercialized Christmasses are geared towards them. I hope you (Rhonda) or others don't take offense at my response.

[psychedelic]

Hi Denise,
If everything goes as planned,I'll be back in the States for Christmas for the first time in six years!!

Merry Christmas!