Latest Posts

Dreaming of a White Winter

Published by Sula H.

Winter seems to be generous this year. After the first snowy trial run a couple of weeks ago, yesterday, winter bestowed upon us a chilly, wintery layer of snow dust. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to turn things into an “almost” perfect winter wonderland. Unfortunately, I had to work by the time the snow actually started to matter. And by the time I got off work, it was dark already. Still, with my students, I was able to make the most of it, by running outside as soon as the bell would ring, for some pictures. And if nothing else, this short little snow interlude gives wings to my hopes for a more snowy winter this year. We’ll see what is to come …

Oh Christmas Tree 2012

Published by Sula H.

 

If you’ve known my blog for a while, you may recall my comments on our foreign-faculty-housing-lobby Christmas tree in the last couple of years. Those Christmas trees could best be described as “ugly,” and that would be flattering still, really. This year, however, things have changed. Drastically. I knew as soon as I saw some of our colleagues put up the Christmas decoration in the lobby the other day. I guess, they must have thought that with our new lobby putting up a scare-crow Christmas tree like in the old days wouldn’t just work the magic anymore. And I agree. So, this year, for the first time, it actually feels like Christmas when you walk into the lobby of our foreign faculty building. So, merry Christmas season to you, too!

12 – 12 – twenty-12

Published by Sula H.

It seems to me that today, December 12, two thousand and twelve, is a special day. Not because it’s Christmas season (although that may be exciting, too – at least for me). But because today seems to be a special date. Not that that is making my day any more special. But I feel like we should at least take note at some point and commemorate the fact that in fact we are – right now – living on the twelfth day of the twelfth month in the year of twenty twelve!

When is that ever going to happen again?

So, just in case you missed it, here’s my reminder. And a friendly wish from me to you: Happy everyday, this day!

Inspire Me: Traci Reed

Published by Sula H.

One of the people whose December Daily project has served as great inspiration for me this year has been Traci Reed.

 

I love how she fills her album with all the mess and beauty of her everyday life and special activities in December. Every page looks very different, and you can get tons of inspiration just by looking at her current project. Traci has been great at posting her project so far, and you can check it out on her blog: HERE.

Candles for the Advent Wreath

Published by Sula H.

Candles are a peculiar thing. Especially here in China. The use of candles generally is reduced to the purpose of shedding light in the case of blackouts which happen every once in the while (though admittedly, rather rarely). So, finding pretty candles to decorate your home with can turn into a rather challenging quest.

When putting up my Christmas decoration a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t realize that I was in for another challenge. The problem: On my shelf I had a pack of red candles, which I had gotten last year for my advent “wreath.” Little did I know that the candles in that pack were actually the ones I had used last year already. In other words, they weren’t new. ‘Bummer,’ I thought to myself, ‘now I have to make another (whole day) shopping trip into the city just so I can get more candles.’ Well, I was able to combine it with some of my other Christmas shopping and errands. So it wasn’t actually that big of a deal. But for the future, note to self: Never assume that candles in a box are all new when they sit on your shelf. Always check well before the Christmas season to make sure you have the candles when you need them!

Christmas Bake Sale 2012

Published by Sula H.

Oh what fun it is to … have yummy American treats during the Christmas season!

Well, you may think there’s nothing special about bake sales in December. But I can tell you, for those of us who don’t really have any alternative to yummy Christmas treats, having a bake sale in December is a highly anticipated, and well received event. In fact, those bake sales are getting so popular that it’s rather a challenge to stand in that never ending line and hope that once it’s your turn there’s going to be at least a few treats left. I did manage to get a couple of yummy treats after making it through that long line, and now I’m left to deal with the sugar overdose that is to follow inevitably …

Off to enjoy some yumminess!

The Good News, the Bad News, and a Little About Christmas Shopping

Published by Sula H.



I don’t know about you, but whenever there’s good news and bad news, I prefer to hear the bad news first!

So, the bad news is that this year, for the first time we have to work past the Christmas holidays. In fact, if it was really bad news, I’d have to work on Dec. 26th, which back home is still a pretty full fledged Christmas holiday, called the “2. Christmas Holiday.” Fortunately, the good news about the bad news is that I can choose to not work on Wednesday, and work on Thursday (the 27th) instead.

So far the bad news. Now to the good news …

The good news is that this year, because none of us have their family around, among our friends we decided to have a real deal gift exchange. (Of course, not being able to celebrate Christmas with family is the bad news of the good news!) Anyhow, since we’re always trying to make the best of things, I think it’s a pretty splendid idea to have a Christmas gift exchange. Especially, because I was able to convince my friends that doing the White Elephant with items the giver no longer wants (in other words: giving away trash) is not such a good idea. And so, I’m happy that this year, we will have a really sweet (or sweetly real) gift exchange. But it also made me realize the other day that I need, indeed, to go shopping for a Christmas gift. So, today I packed myself up, hopped on the bus and went into town to find myself something suitable for the friend whom I have the honor to be gifting. And after I accomplished that successfully, now all I need to do is wait for Christmas to come …