There's No Place Like Home For The Holiday

"I'll have a Blue Christmas without you
I'll be so blue thinking about you" - Blue Christmas

"I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams" - I'll Be Home For Christmas

I've just one wish 
On this Christmas Eve 
I wish I were with you - Merry Christmas, Darling

"Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
'Cause no matter how far away you roam
If you want to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays you can't beat home, sweet home"- There's No Place Like Home For The Holiday

I have probably sang these songs a billion times but I have never really thought about the true meaning of these songs until this year. I have continually tried to bring up my spirits with Christmas cheer but really it is just to mask how I really feel. Ask, me how it really is to be away for Christmas and I will start singing you "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley. 

So let me make you list of why I am having a Blue Christmas (cause I love lists):

1. Of course being away from my family
    > I miss making Christmas crafts (advent calendars, gingerbread houses, snowmen...)    
       with them
    > Decorating the house for Christmas and listening to Christmas music 
    > Decorating the table for Christmas day (centerpiece, name cards...)
2. My friends
    > Wearing Ugly (FANTASTIC) Christmas sweaters together
    > Watching Christmas movies and making Christmas crafts
    > Drinking holiday drinks (My favorite Caramel Brule Lattes)
3. Church
    > Going to church: listening to the Christmas story and singing Christmas hymns
    > Christmas eve candle light service
4. Food
    > Everything that is associated with Christmas (Candy canes, gingerbread, eggnog...)
    > I tired making my own eggnog last night... it was interesting. It did kind of taste like  
       eggnog but I had to tweak it cause I did not have nutmeg just pumpkin pie spice and 
       I overcooked the eggs so my nog was chunky >.<
5. Christmas Cheer
    > Korea does not actually celebrate Christmas. I do get Christmas day off which is 
       nice but I have to work on Christmas eve
    > I know this is kinda weird but I missing walking through the malls during Christmas
       season. Listening to the Christmas music, being pushed by excited kids and cranky
       parents, and seeing the line of kids lining up to take a picture with Santa.
    > Seeing houses decorated with Christmas lights and decorations
    > Children believing in Santa... I thought Santa delivered presents to all the children of 
       world? Hopefully he will still stop by my place and leave something special for me! ha

Even with all of that Christmas will never be gone... I mean I am Mrs. Claus in disguise you know. So, let me make you a list of the Christmas cheer I still have.

1. Spreading the Christmas cheer to my students
    > It has been lots of fun decorating the classroom and making the students gifts
    > I feel like Santa's little helper 
       *"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." -Elf  
    > It has been fun seeing all of the students (and teachers) reactions when they come     
       into the classroom and see the decorations (just wait till next week when they see
       me in my Christmas sweater! ha)

2. Still being able to listen to Christmas music and watch Christmas movies online
   > Even though I cannot find my favorite Christmas movie online (Snow Globe)

3. Snow! To me snow is Christmas-y so I am putting it in this category

4. Spending Christmas with my friends in Korea
5. Getting Christmas cards and gifts from the ones I love back home

    > Want to send me a card? *^-^*
    > My address is:      Miryeok Elementary School
                                       Attn: Justine Moss
                                       #589 Songjae-ro, Miryeok-myeon
                                       Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do 546-822

So to end my Christmas post I want to leave you with one of my favorite Christmas songs...

"And so I'm offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you " - The Christmas Song