christmas spirit

christmas feels very weird here in brisbane. its the day before christmas eve, and there is none of that sense of pandemonium that usually perpetrates around shopping malls, restaurants, and events. its weirdly calm here compared to the USA... the general christmas explosion that usually descends day after thanksgiving is absent here as well. there is a big christmas tree in one of the public squares accompanied by 'santa's mailbox' and a few scatterings of garland and lights around, but the massive window displays and decorated houses and santa with his reindeer are missing along with the crowds. the 90 degree weather doesnt help make it feel more christmas-y either! it just strikes me as very off because the two places that australia is most like (america and britian) are the most over the top about christmas.

i dont mind the down play this year, being away from friends and family make me not want to dwell too much on the holiday. i am working christmas eve and 'boxing day' (the 26th of december) but the Point is closed on christmas so i am going to a holiday bbq with some other travellers i know from work here.



on a very exciting note - CONGRATS to my sister and welcome to the newest addition to the family, Baby Grace. my beautiful niece Grace Rebekah Powell was born on 12/22/2009 at 5:12pm, weighing 7lbs, 5oz. I cant wait to meet her!!!!