December 5, 2006
Well the last few days have been less than desirable.  I came back from Chiang Mai for my days off because I wanted a chance to relax in the countryside.  Wrong.  I forgot that my room is right next to the group room and since there is no class on  Saturday and Sunday (my days off) someone is always in the group room. 
I thought that being in a Buddhist country for Christmas would make me miss many things about the holiday.  Decorations everywhere, snow (for a day or so), Christmas music wherever you go.  Lisa was singing Christmas music a few weeks ago, before Thanksgiving!  I am usually opposed to anything Christmas before thanksgiving, but I didn’t mind.  I was a little sentimental. 
So when the children spent the whole weekend practicing their Christmas dances, well I have had enough carols this year.  They are dancing with pom-pom’s like cheerleaders use.  What says Christmas more than pom-pom’s I always say.  Not that I think there is only one way to celebrate Christmas, the way I know.  That is not true, but this cheerleader song and dance still seems way off base to me.  They only play two songs, Jingle bells and We wish you a merry Christmas.  Over and over and over and over.  If that wasn’t bad enough the version of wwyamc is horrible.  The timing is off or something so it is more like the turrets choir wishes you a merry Christmas.  And you thought Chinese water torture was bad! 
On the other hand I have had two dreams recently about going home.  The first I was home and thinking “should I go back to Thailand?”  I woke up to realize I am still here.  The message, enjoy it while you are here.  The second dream it was spring and I was home, but this time I asked the date.  It was April and I am not supposed to go home until May.  I was sad to have missed part of my trip.  Again the message, enjoy the time you have here.  So I am trying to.  Moving to a different room may be part of the enjoyment.