Early birthday

On December 30, my birthday, I will be enroute to the U.S., so the Zhangs held my birthday early. The Happy Birthday song was rendered in both English and Chinese.

In Chinese culture, one eats long noodles on a birthday to insure longevity. There is also an egg pudding prepared which insures many promotions in the course of life. The crown, cake and birthday song have been appropriated from the West. Naturally, I consumed a lot of egg pudding. I go up for tenure in September. I bet someone could market it among junior faculty.

Can't have too much help

Lots of Christmas

Christmas is a very malleable holiday. It becomes part every Christian culture, but also blends with the practices of a secular Japan. Increasingly, it is being appropriated by atheist China. The government encourages the secular side of Christmas, for it promotes economic activity. Christmas is not a family holiday in China, but young people hold many concerts and parties (above). Hotel and department stores do magnificent decorations (below).

And more decoration...

The Chinese love Christmas decoration. Red symbolizes happiness in this culture; yellow or gold symbolize nobility. Few people decorate in their homes; mostly you see Christmas decorations in shops. But when Westerners are around, people have an excuse. The staff at the foreign teachers' residence put up more paraphernalia every day. Now, we not only have a tree in the lobby; we have flags, red bows, valentines, and Chinese lanterns. Above: The lobby of our residence, festooned with Christmas flags. Below: Red lanterns shining in the night.