Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock

What a bright time, it is the right time to dance the night away, write the night away or laugh the night away! Jingle bell time is a swell time to go driving, not in a one horse open sleigh, but driving with my evil twin from Texas! So much has happened this week I wouldn’t even know where to begin. It is hard to be on the other side of the world when people you care about are sick. On those days you lean a little more on your family away from family. You give a little less, take a little more and graciously accept the offers of prayer, space and simple friendship. The part I liked the best about this week is that people who were sick are getting better, really at the end of the day, health and happiness are what is most important, no matter what country you are in.

So our Christmas vacation started today. As a traveling soul you might think I’d be taking this break to find to a beach chair or a bar in London but this winter break I am just staying at home. My home in Kuwait. In an international community other people’s reactions to you staying at home is interesting. Although as with most times other’s peoples reactions say more about them then they say about you.

It is the standard question to ask your colleagues at this time of year. Where are you heading for the holidays? When are you coming back? What will you be doing well you are gone? There is a great joy in sharing plans for adventures. I love sharing and hearing about adventures, big or small.  For the next two weeks I have no plans but yet lots of plans for simple adventures. Cleaning out my closet, experimenting with cooking, writing, enjoying walks by the water, trips to the spa with girlfriends and plenty of time to rest, relax and explore Kuwait.

I think people who are new to the international community get surprised that you would stay in Kuwait because they don’t yet see Kuwait as home. When you make that transition in thinking you realize that you don’t always have a need to leave your home for the holidays. In fact when you tell someone who has been here a long time that you are staying they sometimes kindly wish they were staying too. Airports, hotels, taxis, luggage, layovers they all take a lot of work. If you are up for the challenge of travel then it is a thrill but sometimes, somedays you just want to stay home. Curl up on your couch and read. As odd as it might sound I just want to stay home and enjoy Kuwait this break.

So tonight as I moved around from party to party. Sharing jingle bell joy I could not help but smile at all the adventure that is about to unfold, at home and abroad.