Willkommen in Polska: 'Tis the Season

The Christmas tree is up, the Christmas music is playing and the Christmas presents are being bought. It's once again the most wonderful time of the year and this year will be much different than last. As I wished for last year, this year I'm experiencing a real winter at Christmas time, which is exciting since I haven't seen snow in nearly two years.

Since Poland is predominantly a Christian country, everyone seems to be getting into the season. The street lights are decorated and stores are dedicating half their shops to Christmas products. Next door in Germany, there are Christmas markets selling gifts, ornaments and, of course, Glühwein.

Although I'm thousands of miles from my hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, I have to admit that the Christmas experience is quite similar on this side of the Atlantic (even though the southern part of the U.S. is experiencing more wintery weather than Poland at the moment).

With this flurry of life, joy and celebration, I have to pause a moment to think of the other side. There are plenty of people who don't partake in the festivities of Christmas. Some because they don't want to, but an enormous amount because they aren't able to. Children who don't have access to proper education or warm meals can't possibly expect to experience the joy of the season. In a world full of instant gratification and exuberant luxuries, I just can't go along with the idea that there will be children without something as simple as something to eat on Christmas.

So, for this holiday season I've decided to raise money for World Vision. From now until my birthday, on January 15, I have set the goal to raise enough money to feed 15 families for one month. This breaks down as £30 for one family for one month, so over the next 5 weeks I plan to raise £450. That means for one month a family won't have to worry about where the next meal is coming from. For one month a child will receive the necessary nutrients for survival. For one month there will be joy that people have come together to make life for another person a little easier.

I hope you can find it in your heart to spread the joy of the season and donate to this cause.

Jacque in Jakarta: Something like Christmas

It's hard to believe that I haven't written anything for a month. It's not that nothing has happened this past month, it's more the fact that I haven't been able to find the time, or even the words, to write about everything that has been going on. There are still plenty of cultural quirks I plan to write about (i.e. as I type, I'm watching people drive through a river where there should be a street, and I had to buy new shoes because the last pair were broken by the sidewalks), but for now I think I'll write a post about Christmas.

Generally, the holidays are a time to be with family. Last year I was with Alexander and my grandmother in the U.S., but two years ago I was in Germany, three years ago I was in Spain, and four years ago I was in flight to Spain. Needless to say, I'm used to not being home for the holidays. I haven't spent Christmas in Arkansas for five years. This year feels a bit different though....literally. As opposed to having Jack Frost nipping at our noses, we need to keep the a/c on so we don't sweat. And there's no White Christmas to be had here in the tropics, or a winter of any kind. Instead it's just a gray, rainy season.

But the one thing that has salvaged my Christmas spirit is my co-workers. We had a gift exchange and pizza party with sweets and egg nog (home made by me). Even though not everyone celebrates Christmas, they were all happy to join in the gift exchange and party. It reminded me what Christmas is about. It's not about gifts, sweets, egg nog, or even location. It's about joy and bringing joy to others. It's about happiness and love. It's about family, but it's also about friendship and human connection. Even though I'd like to be somewhere with a winter for next Christmas, I'll never forget my Christmas here in Jakarta and the people that made it special.