Christmas is less than 1 week away, and even though I listen to Christmas Music all the time, it’s still hard to focus on Christmas.
Beijing has Christmas Trees and Christmas Decorations everywhere. On Saturday (17th) I even went to the Caribbean Christmas party (which was fun) but it still doesn’t feel a lot like Christmas.
Normally around this time I would be counting down the days to Christmas, but now, I am counting down the days till my last exam and when my winter vacation will officially begin (the 27th).
So if you ever wanted to find out the real meaning of the commercialization Christmas, come to China. Christmas trees, lights, decorations everywhere, but that’s where it stops.
The songs that I‘ve put on my MP3 player and listen to all the time help to keep me somewhat in the Christmas Spirit. It’s a very small amount compared to the thousands that exist, but of the few songs on my MP3, these are my top 10. I’m sure when I get more songs, the list will change, but for now this is my top 10, in no particular order:
1. Carol of the Bells by Kenny G
2. Do You Hear by UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra
3. O Holy Night by Mariah Carey
4. We Three Kings by UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra
5. Little Drummer Boy by Abba
6. The Angels Sang by Reba McEntire*
7. Jesus Born On This Day by Mariah Carey
8. Away In a Manger by Kenny G
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Mariah Carey / Perry Como
10. Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms
*I don’t normally like American Country Music and I almost deleted this song, but I decided to listen to it and I had to keep it. This is a case where the song chose me, I didn’t choose the song.
Plans are still up in the air for Christmas Day. But I have a feeling it will be pretty low key, because all the International Chinese Language Students have exams on the next 2 days. Maybe we might even celebrate on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day (apparently they do that in Brazil and Sweden). I’m pretty sure we’ve learned a couple hundred Characters by now, so trying to cram them all into our heads will take priority over celebrating Christmas Day. But either way, I plan to spend it with friends and/or country mates, so I’m looking forward to my first Christmas in Beijing J.
Danielle Russell Film Arts 
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