The Haze

스물 다섯

25

Joy to The World

...

In my beloved Britain, Christmas starts creeping into our lives in October. Bright lights and inviting deals all over every building and store, luring you in like a moth to a flame. Money constantly exchanged for happy smiles and the illusion of a fat man with a white beard, coming to spread joy in your household.

Of course I never minded any of that, if anything the entire tradition has been engraved into the depths of my soul.

The fairy lights where hung up in my living room at 2am, two weeks ago, in a sudden bout of late-night homesickness. I'd woken up with a heavy heart and decided that the twinkling lights would do me good. I was right.

Obviously, I wasn't expecting the holiday to be the same. I was however, shocked to find out we only had one day off of work, but hey, it's not like I have anything other than work to do so, it's not much of a loss.

After a little 'google' to compare the customs between our two cultures, I learnt the appropriate way to convert this westernly over exaggerated holiday, into the quaint celebration it is here in the far east.

Presents are usually expensive and useful. Expensive and useful. Got it.

My gifts for Jinseo and Kiah were given to them yesterday at work, branded watches now adorning both of their wrists. In return from Jinseo, I received two bottles of Estée Lauder face cream. From Kiah, a 'state of the art' rice cooker.

I kind of saw that one coming, I mean, I'll never forget her face when I told her I didn't have one.

My bags for Jungkook and Mrs Jeon are sat comfortably by the door, waiting to be received by their new owners.

All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised by how well I've adjusted. Not just to this different Christmas, but to this different life.

I'm making this reflection as I'm stood in my kitchen, waiting for my roast potatoes to turn crisp and golden. Mrs Jeon is cooking for Jungkook and I on this cold Tuesday, the promise of tender barbecued beef fuelling my merriment and motivation to enjoy this Korean Christmas, for everything that it is.