To get the mushy emotional stuff over with, on Christmas Eve, 2014, we gathered in a hostel to celebrate the Christmas spirit together. Originally, our program had planned a simple Christmas dinner, but a few of us felt that if we could all hang out, watch Christmas movies, eat cookies, and have a sleepover, our Christmas wouldn’t be so lonely. A lot of us were going through the W Curve at that time, and Christmas isn’t as big here in Korea as it is in America. Of course you’ll see some decorations at cafes, and a few on the streets, but it’s not as obvious as it is back at home. Mary and I wanted the kids on our program to feel a little bit more at home, especially during the holidays, so we organized the Christmas party (with the ssaems’ support!) to have a family gathering (because NSLI-Y honestly is a family). Thus, our theme was 가족 (family).
Mary and I had organized the budget and purchased the candy, snacks, stockings, stocking goodies, and decorations. We originally planned to personally decorate as well on the 24th, but both of our schools ended at four and are in Incheon, so there was no way we were getting to Seoul before the meeting time. But thanks to Ellie and Johnny, we got to walk into a beautifully decorated room that just screamed Christmas! The room was warm, and all of our friends were there, so it was a good time.
We started out eating pizza, which there wasn’t much of, but we had bought so many snacks that it wasn’t too bad. Afterwards, we had a massage circle for a good half hour (Kim, you are a massage goddess <3). Then we played, or rather attempted to play, some games. Bunny bunny 당근당근, 007 빵 (which failed miserably. I have never met people who have been more confused by this game, which is a shame since it is really fun when it gets started…), and then Pterodactyl, which is a if-you-laugh-and-show-your-teeth-you’re-out game.
Massage Time~
Next we exchanged 마니또 gifts, which is a version of our Secret Santa. At the beginning of the month, our program teacher gave each of us our person, and all month long until the party we were supposed to be especially nice to that person and give small gifts and notes. We had fun trying to guess who our 마니또 was, but a few people didn’t get anything all month long so it was hard to guess without any clues. My 마니또 had given me a tangerine, and after a couple failed attempts at guessing, I thought hard and realized that the only person who would legitimately go out and buy fruit would be an adult…so 쌤 it was!
warm earmuffs~
We then watched most of Elf, on a projector with white paper on the walls. About halfway through, though, we left one by one to go to the other smaller room to brush our teeth and whatnot, and we didn’t finish the movie. A few people were sick that day and went to sleep early, but about seven of us talked until about 5:30 in the morning…man we got real deep.
The next day we took some pictures with the lovely photo zone that Mailiis created and then it was time to go! We went to a café to get breakfast, and from there we split to do our various Christmas activities.~
It was really nice sleeping over with my NSLI-Y 가족! Love you, NSLI-Y and Better World~
Elaine Muses... 