So much in so little time

The last week has been filled with crazy days. Not so much in terms of it being hectic, just very different from the usual.

(holiday munchies at Kevin's school)

It started out with all the 'new' pre-christmas traditions: the 'holidays celebration' at Kevin's school or also known as 'eat as many cookies, ice-cream, muffins, chocolate as you can get away with'; then the 'trolley of lights' in our neighbourhood, also known as 'freezing your butt off waiting for your turn to take your toddler in a small trolley that seats 15 people in a neighbourhood with 400 kids', followed by the company 'holiday reception' also known as 'have some luke warm hors-d'oevres on the company, but pay for your own drinks at the cash bar while you talk to your colleagues' (ok. I admit, I skipped the company reception in lieu of spending time with the family - I was reliably informed I didn't miss much).

After these compulsory festivities, we headed off to West Virginia to try out our first American skiing. Winterplace, WV is not exactly the Alps, but for a couple of day of relaxed family-skiing, it hit the spot. In true American fashion, the ski-resort also had day -care, so mom & dad could hit some slopes while the little guy amused himself with toys & playmates. Overall, he did not seem too impressed with the cold snow and ice. I am hopeful this will change and that by this time next year, he'll be ready to strap on some skis too.
(Kevin figuring out this fluffy white stuff called 'snow')

One downside to the trip: don't trust travel food. We normally never eat fast food, unless we're travelling and now I know why again. I came down with a very serious case of food poisoning from a McDonalds meal near the ski resort. ...there went the last day of skiing. As the raven says in Poe's poem: 'never more!'.

Back in North Carolina, it was on to Christmas which we spent with fellow international friends and their kids. Turkey, potatoes, side dishes, triffle and food galore....good stuff (though not exactly the best medicine for a stomach still somewhat upset from from food poisoning)

One thing I'm not yet used to is the new political correctness in the US around Christmas. Even if you're not religious or practising, what's the harm of someone wishing you 'Merry Christmas'? Yet is seems, almost all stores and companies are pussy-footing around this and if they acknowledge the event at all, it's as 'happy holiday's or 'wishing you well'. Even in the grocery store yesterday, a clerk admitted to me they weren't allowed to wish anyone 'merry christmas'. They could only respond in like fashion, if they were wished it first. Silly if you ask me. I'm not a particularly religious person, but I realize full well, we'd have no Christmas vacation if it weren't for Christmas, so let's cut the debate and celebrate the free days :-)