20 days until Christmas, 17 days until my birthday.

just put my tree up and decorated a bit. i absolutely love this time of year: full of joy and wonder, memories and traditions.

however- it's odd to live in a country that doesn't formally celebrate Christmas.

no one in my city, besides other foreigners, know what's really going on. there are holiday displays up all over town, yet when was the last time you saw a zebra, giraffe or cow in a Christmas scene, as they are included out here?

at least they're trying. and it does make me smile.