Before I begin about my day yesterday, I would like to thoroughly guilt my family. I hope that they're reading my blog, but because they never comment, I have no clue whether or not they do. Guilt, guilt, guilt. ; ) Ok, family, I understand if you hesitate to comment on a blog that is in the uncertainty of in-law world, but I promise that it is not only safe to comment here, but also appreciated. : )
Back to yesterday being Christmas day and all...
I kind of forgot that it was Christmas. I was at the food center, volunteering, and after I woke from my morning haze, I realized that it was Sunday, the 25th, Christmas Day. Christmas Eve was given entirely to Mara's Birthday (and justly so), and Christmas day, because we're in Israel, was one of work for anyone who isn't an Arab Christian. So, here I was, not at home, stuck in work, and having a bit of a crisis. I've had Christmas for 21 years now, reliably. And 21 years of habit was threatened yesterday. I heeded the call for Christmas and told Mendon, once I saw him at lunch, that we needed a "holiday". I also explained my panic to Mara, and, to my pleasure, both she and Mendon lovingly humored me. Mara walked home with us, and she offered Mendon and I some ideas about what we could do for the afternoon. We had already agreed that we should find some Kinder Surprise, which are (ha!) more Easter than anything else, and that we should go out for some Japanese at Tatami for dinner. So, in quest of a celebratory afternoon, Mendon and I decided to go to the Christian church that Mara told us about, the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastary. On our way, we stopped at a local grocery store for 1. Kinder Surprise, 2. More Halva (see: my husband is a compulsive halva buyer), and 3. Grapefruit Juice. The church was lovely. We couldn't get in at first and tried to find Elijah's Cave for a while. By the time we gave up, the doors were open, and we were able to enter. It was small, but very decorated. In addition to the painted dome, the church also had a grotto beneath the raised altar, which was quite visible from where we sat. The church also had cell phones, angry visitors, and one man who was undeniably devout. Later that night, as said before, we went out to Tatami, where we had sushi, miso soup, fried tofu, etc. It was great. With stuffed bellies, we headed back to the flat to watch some more Firefly (our new favorite thing to do in Haifa : ) and remembered that earlier that day, Mendon and Mara had made some Philadelphia Cheesecake. Ah, what a Christmas. Oh, and I forgot to mention that we all opened and had our Kinder Surprises at Tatami. I'm pretty sure we just looked ridiculous.
Today's been a day of thorough loafing (no stone has been turned) and we are quite happy with that decision. Poor Mara and Mark are straining to keep their heads above the water. They're both bogged down with stress from the World Center and are both trying to fight colds. Regrettably, Mara's busy at work for all of today, but Mark stayed home so that Mendon and I could come back and we could all loaf together.
Three short thoughts to conclude:
1. I'm reading If on a winter's night a traveler, by Italo Calvino. I may or may not comment on it later, but I'm more likely to write something if I announce that I'm working on it.
2. Hayley, I'm amazed and proud that you actually googled Bahji. You rock.
3. Nathan, it really was raining, it had just considerably eased up by the time I took that picture of Mara. If you "Continue Reading," you can see what it was like when we arrived to lunch, but this picture doesn't include the roads, which is what was really ridiculous.
That's me! Hahahahaha!
Kristen--I've been reading your blogs, but can't think of anything to say in response. I'm just glad to keep up on what's going on in your life.
I was having an empty nest Christmas crisis. Andy is in Ohio, and Lucie, oh my, is much further away, all blurred up in a rainstorm. And yes, my Christmas day was not the same as previous years. We went to brother Steves for pot luck dinner on the eve after afternoon services at what I call the rock and roll church, and next day had fun chasing Jacob on his new two-wheel bike (with training wheels). Grandma Suzanne made too many cookies again. Keep blogging.
Our Christmas was greatly changed (and a tad lonely) this year, too. The hazards of the age. Grampa is in the home this year, so it was just Uncle Thom's bunch, Gramma and the two of us. And roast pork dinner with canned (!) sweetsour cabbage. I'll offer to make it along with the applesauce next year.
Well, it's easy to type in a word and hit 'enter,' it takes more effort to actually read through what comes up (which I didn't really do, but I enjoyed looking at the pictures :)
I kind of knew that the Mommies were having an unusual Christmas. I hope that the holiday was thoroughly enjoyable for you all, though. That includes you, Grandma Pat (oh, and by the way, I was very much joking about the guilting. I just want to make sure that people feel invited to comment). As for you, Hayley, : ) I laughed to hear that you were less interested in the writing and really just enjoyed the pictures. I really feel for that tendency. : )
Would you be so kind as to bring home about 4 of the KinderSurprises for Ayyam'i'ha? Or maybe 6?
What's a kinderSurprise?
I included the link in my post to their website (click on "Kinder Surpris"). So, they're chocolate eggs with toys inside of them. And I was assuming that we should bring a few back to the States, Maman.
Kinder eggs were banned in America because the government said they had small parts that could choke a child. I am not making this up. That is why you cannot get them in America. Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable.
But they are not illegal to bring in. I've done it many times. Everytime I travel abroad.
Well, I think it's probably one of those silly rules no one enforces. They may as well ban pocket change. Small pieces, may choke a child!
What child would choke on the pieces from a Kinder Egg? Do these hypothetical Kinder Egg victims not have parents?
You know, they do say on the side: Not for children under 3 years old. It's not like no one else thinks they are unsafe for children - Americans are just a bit more paranoid it seems.
perhaps the Kinder company has refused to sell to a vendor with the intent to market them in the United States because they fear our overly letigious system.