LET IT SNOW?

This snowman was put up last week outside the 7/11 close to our apartment. The 7/11s here seem to offer more things in celebration of many American holidays compared to other places in Taiwan. (For example, they had special Halloween treats and decorations during October.) So, it didn’t surprise us that they were doing things in celebration of Christmas. What did surprise us was the fact that they chose to put up a snowman holding a “Let It Snow” banner instead of Santa. A snowman? Let is snow...in Taiwan? Really? :)

I (Annalicia) have had the fun and interesting experience of explaining the Christmas holiday to my students. When we first got to Taiwan and people here were telling us some of the traditions of and stories behind their holidays, I remember doing a little bit of chuckling in my head. But now, after the roles have switched and I’m the one doing the telling, my perspective on what a “normal” holiday is, has completely changed.

Have you ever tried explaining the story of Santa to people (kids) who have hardly any background knowledge or experience with it? Well, if not, it’s a little more difficult than you may think. As the words “elves”, “magic sleigh”, “flying reindeer” are spilling out of your mouth, you start to fear that your audience is questioning your sanity! :)

Then, when the questions start rolling in (via an interpreter) like, “If he flies all around the world, why hasn’t he ever stopped at my house?” or “Don’t kids think it’s weird that Santa doesn’t care if people see him at malls before Christmas, but he doesn’t want anyone to see him on Christmas Eve?” you begin to see what used to be “normal” as very strange!

So, as you celebrate Christmas this week, I encourage you to see all the stories and traditions through the eyes of a second grader from Taiwan. I can assure you, regardless of what you’re going to be doing, they would see nothing as “normal”...everything would be unique and exciting!

Wishing you a fresh and lovely experience of our beautiful holiday! Merry Christmas!