Yesterday we had the MCC staff Christmas Party at the Groff's house. The Cambodian staff brought their families and after eating curry and exchanging gifts, various games including volleyball and twister were going on. I had made chocolate and vanilla checkerboard cookies and the Cambodians really enjoyed them. They kept calling them saat, which means pretty in Khmer. The gift exchange was interesting too. Instead of the white elephant game that is usually played, each gift was assigned a number and the number you drew was the gift you got. When 31 was called, I received the standard rectangular box. Most people with the same shape box had gotten towels, but upon opening it, it was face whitening masks. Just what I needed! Now my host mother can be proud of me since my skin can be as pale as it was when I first arrived! I doubt the masks work because the main ingredients are green tea extract, chamamile and glycerin.

Despite the fact that is was a Christmas party, it felt more like a church picnic in the summer, or maybe a biligual family reunion. Either way, I feel like I have to re-examine Christmas by celebrating it in Cambodia.

All of the things I usually associate with Christmas- Advent in church, dinners, shopping for gifts, caroling, family gatherings, baking cookies, cold weather, and just the American commerialization of the holiday- all aren't really present here. Last night Charles and I went to the mall in PP just to see the decorations and maybe hear some Christmas music. While there were crowds and decorations, there wasn't any Christmas music playing. I know my last post was about wishing I was home for the holiday and this one is headed in that direction too, but I do. I think part of it is that I have been here for a 1 1/2 months now and lived with a Khmer family for 1 month and still am struggling with the language and starting to get bored in Prey Veng. My purpose is to learn the language and culture for 3 months. Sounds easy right? It would not be so bad if there was stuff to do for fun in Prey Veng. Aside from watching Cambodian TV with my host siblings, riding my bike, and going to the river front that is turning into a rice patty, there's not much to do. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying my time here, but Cambodian recreation seems to be watching people go by and talking about food. Part of my frusteration is that Christmas at home is always a time to frenzy and excitement in preparation, while here I start a new book every other day.

This past weekend, Charles and I talked to the CRs about finding an office and they gave us the go ahead. I can't wait to have a computer to use instead of using the internet shop or going to the PP MCC office. And with an office, I can start reports and do something productive (by western standards).