Christmas + New Year's

Christmas and New Year's have a different significance here than at home in Germany. While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for most people, most people sleep through New Year's.

The pre-Christmas season already felt like it started after Halloween and decorations and music were everywhere. Even in my school, there were things done during the pre-Christmas season that I didn't expect. For example, there was a school-wide Secret Santa where anyone could participate, and there was a contest for decorating the doors, and I don't mean just sticking a few stickers on, but creating elaborate designs. Each homeroom/AG decorated their door, to be honest, I didn't contribute anything to our door. I think you know very well about my artistic abilities...

On some Tuesday in early November, my theater class and I attended a costume fitting for a big show in our little town, and we got in for free, so why pass up that opportunity! It was called the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. It was really cool.

The school dragged on, teachers had us take final tests, and finally on 22 December, it was the last day of school, in my opinion, much too late, because that way we didn't really get into the Christmas spirit.

The 24th is not really celebrated big here. Nevertheless, my family had their family dinner on this day, which took place about 1 1/2 hours south in Nanaimo. We didn't have the classic turkey, but pork and beef instead. We left relatively early because (Christmas miracle) it started snowing! I haven't had a white Christmas in a long time.

On the 1st, we/I slept in, so we didn't have the gift exchange until 11 o'clock. I have to admit that I received a lot from my host family, which I really didn't expect. I even got a stocking hanging by the fireplace, with contents of course. After a delicious breakfast, we went to the mountain and went snow hiking.

On the 2nd Christmas Day, I went back to the mountain again. This time with my friends to go skiing.

The rest of the holiday season, I mostly relaxed.

I celebrated New Year's twice. The first time was when it was midnight in Germany, it was just 3 PM for us and we were skiing on the mountain. It must have looked funny when we counted down and got so excited. Then, two friends stayed overnight at my place and we went to the beach at midnight. We saw a little bit of fireworks, but only from one household, which isn't even a household, but a campsite. However, it was still fun with my friends by the ocean under a full moon.

It's crazy what has happened this year and what will still happen in the new year. 6 more months in Canada and then back. Right now, I just don't want to go back. I didn't feel homesick during the holidays, not because I don't miss my family, but simply because I know I will come back. Saying goodbye here will be so difficult...