Merry Christmas Everyone

'So this is Christmas and what have you done', that's how the song starts isn't it. Well this year we've been asking ourselves that very question; Christmas here is like no other before. It feels like summer time in England, there's patchy sunshine, a bit of a breeze and a good chance of rain in the late afternoon. We have the Christmas tree up, the lights and decorations but it all feels out of place. Where's the cold weather, the count down of shopping days, the endless organising of who's where for Christmas and how are we going to see everyone. There are no decorations in the streets, no Carol singers knocking on our door, no build up of excitement; it's like we're pretending Christmas is here, pretending because it doesn't feel right.

We're adapting the best we can and finding as many things as possible to get us into the Christmas spirit. We've downloaded Christmas music from i-tunes, stocked up on all the imported cheese and chocolate we can find organised a Christmas meal with some of the other staff here. When we switch the main lights off and just have the Christmas lights on, then play some Christmas songs, it actually feels like Christmas, we're getting used to pretending.

Christmas day. The boys wake just before 6am which is fine for them, I spend half an hour sleep walking before I'm ready to start the day. We all have stockings to open, unfortunately we've been shopping together and have removed the element of surprise; more Christmas pretending needed. The boys are full of Christmas enthusiasm, I think they are enjoying it for what it is instead of feeling a home sick and missing the way Christmas is traditionally.

After stockings comes Christmas breakfast, English pancakes with lemon and sugar (yum yum). Then it's time to relax, play with new toys and watch a Christmas movie (Ratatouille). Emily and I leave the boys playing and head into the kitchen to prepare the Christmas meal; Id say lunch but we ate at 4pm so it's neither lunch now tea.

The food turned out great. We had all the trimmings we could find this side of the world. It was lacking in comparison to Nigella's Christmas, (a program we can get here on the tv) but we did what we could and really enjoyed tucking in. The best part was the sticky toffee pudding, oh yes! We were able to get all the ingredients and made a classic English pudding which the Americans loved. There was plenty left over so we've been enjoying it over the last few days.

So that was Christmas, I'd like to comment on boxing day and festivities, but trying to pretend all that is too much. We had a good Christmas, but as soon as it arrived it left again and we returned to our English summer days here in Indonesia

It is well worth saying a really big thank you to all of you who sent gifts and cards, they've meant a lot and really helped us get into the festive mood.

We're sorry we've not been able to contact all of you and send out cards etc but Christmas has been an adjustment this year and we've felt out of place. Hopefully next year we'll be more organised.

So Merry Christmas to you all and enjoy a Happy New Year.

Paul, Em and the Boys