So I guess I should start out by saying I'm sorry. I'm sorry because I'm going to talk about something that most of you will shake your head at or roll your eyes to. I know this because I have the weather page for Minneapolis up on my iGoogle page and I know how cold it is. But seriously, it does not feel like Christmas right now. Does the image on the right yell Christmas to you? Santa does not belong resting on a beach! I'm not sure how long I'm staying in Australia for but I do know that each holiday season just will not be the same. The banners that line the city streets picture a cockatoo. When I think Christmas I do not imagine tropical birds singing at my window (OK - there really aren't any tropical birds waking me up.. that's more a Queensland thing). The other day I was walking through this plaza in the city called Martin Place. In the centre there's a large Christmas tree and I seriously thought to myself, "Well, that's a strange thing to have up at this time of year." Then of course I remembered why the city had erected a giant Christmas tree. It happened to be raining at that moment which helped create a somewhat chilly atmosphere. I stopped and squinted my eyes a bit in a feeble attempt to make the raindrops look like snowflakes. All I got was strange looks from people walking by. When I watch TV and advertisements of families gathering on the beach for their Christmas feast I just can't help but think, "That's not Christmas. Christmas is shoveling a car out from under the snow. Christmas is wearing 15 layers of clothing as if to replicate the Michelin man."So, having said all of that, I can still appreciate that it is indeed Christmas no matter the weather. This is also my long of way saying that I am thinking of all of you, my family and friends. I wish you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday season and the very best in the new year.
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