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

Our DHL Parcel

It has arrived, the long awaited parcel from the UK. We're so thankful to our family and friends who organised and paid for it to come, it's absolutely fantastic. We had been tracking the parcel online waiting expectantly each day for it to be dispatched and on its way to us. The parcel came into Jakarta and from there was sent to the next sorting depot, which DHL call 'the rest of Indonesia'. In case you didn't realise that means anywhere in a space the same size as America; with all the islands Indonesia is a big place. The only hold up in the end was a charge we had to pay to receive the parcel. Apparently you don't have to pay the charge, but if you don't you can expect to be waiting for you parcel for the next 6 months; needless to say we thought the charge was worth paying.

The parcel came and Emily behaved in a most delighted way, "it's here, it's really here" she kept saying. I don't think either of us have been so excited about a parcel before.

The opening of the parcel had to wait, the children were circling like a couple of eagles and it was our job to protect the parcel till dark when the eagles would be sleeping.

Emily carefully unpacked the gifts and we separated them into piles and wrapped a few things for the boys. I had to speak firmly to Emily about keeping the Salt & Vinegar walkers crisps till x-mas, she reluctantly stepped away from green packets. We had fun looking over everything, you guys did a great job choosing gifts and packing them.

Now all that's left is to wrap the goodies and arrange them under the tree.

Thanks again, Paul, Emily, Luke & Isaac

bathroom smells

Sometimes being away from home and all things familier, something suddenly reminds me of days gone by and places I've been in the past.

Yesterday I was transported to my Grannies bathroom!

Washing my hands with Imperial leather (available here) the smell cought my nose and reminded me of when I went to stay at my Grannies house. I think when mums become grannies they start buying imperial leather; I know my mum buys it!

The soap is one of many little moments when i think of home. It's really strange being here for x-mas. I want it to be freezing cold, I want to see frost on the leafless trees, I want to breath the crisp icy air in the morning. Here life is a complete contrast. It feels like a summer day in England, hot and sunny with a shower of rain in the afternoon. The trees are all green and it's not cold, it doesn't make sense.

So there are some adjustments that need to be made, things to get used to, x-mas to do in a new way; it's fun in a bitter sweet way.

OH, i've just rememnered, there's no snow here either, what sort of place is this!