My two pence's worth

Topic of the day: Ode to a petal

 

Tis' suppose to be the jolly season, a season of good tidings and good wishes.  However, spending Christmas in China is significantly different then spending it in the states.  For one, whatever Christmas decorations there are is actually put up close to Christmas time (and not around Thanksgiving time).  As well, due to Beijing's low precipitation level, the slight chances of catching a white Christmas in the States is decreased even lower in the Northern Capital.  And lastly, because Christmas is not a traditionally popular holiday, the story behind why the holiday is celebrated is relatively unknown (a few years ago, I watched a news report where the reporter was asking local Beijingers why they think Christmas is celebrated.  An old woman replied that it was to mark the day Santa brings gifts to children around the world.  Cute.  Kind of.).

 

This year in Beijing, Christmas season seems to mark the beginning of the season when it feels like everyone is leaving - either for temporary family visits or permanently leaving China.  First to go is Michelle.

 

This past weekend marked the dear petal's last days in Beijing.  After a three month stint at a local PR agency, she originally planned on going home for a temporary family visit, which developed into a last minute decision to not come back.  So, in her honor, because it feels like she's my first substantial friend here who have permanently left China, here's a short list of my best memories of Michelle:

 

1. "Don't even make me add my two pence's worth" - during a break between a long distance bus trip between Xiahe and Xining

2. On the same bus trip, eating a whole bag of stale prawn crackers in one sitting

3. "You monkey!"

 

So farewell, old girl - best of luck in all your endeavours and cheers, petal, to all your dry, sarcastic, but very funny British comments!