Christmas Chaos

My first Christmas away from home and I survived. In fact, I have been so busy, I haven't had time to wallow in self loathing at all the snow, music, cookies, presents, decorations, family time and parties I missed out on.

For one thing. I spent my two days off at Christmas moving in to a new apartment. I was tired of the old man trying to break in. Sewage smells, my clock-work peeing neighbor and unheated water were also a bit trying.

My new place is great. It is a bit farther from work, 3 subway stops, but much more modern. Along with built in book shelves, kitchen space and heated water, my building also has security. I will post pictures soon.

Needless to say, I am much happier with the new apartment and surrounding area as it also closer to more restaurants and stores.

Between my 5 taxi trips back and forth from old place to new, I was able to squeeze in one holiday party. On Christmas eve I went over to my friend's pad where they hosted a pot-luck dinner.

They supplied a whole turkey, which had to be imported from an American restaurant, as well as what they call- Jungle Juice. A fruity drink which is deceptively strong. 2 glasses and you are lit.

Everyone else was supposed to bring food. I opted to make green bean casserole. This was an exceptionally difficult thing to do. For one, I had to go to a Western grocery story to get the ingredients. It required a cab ride as there isn't one in my part of the city.

Chinese supermarkets don't have canned or creamed soup. Creamy things aren't really in the diets of people here. They also do not have canned vegetables. Produce is fresh and most people buy it daily to cook with.

Imported food, like cream of mushroom soup and canned green beans also cost a bit more. I was also unable to find French's canned onions. I substitued Ritz crackers in the recipe instead.

The other reason my casserole was so hard to make is that there are no ovens here. Chinese don't cook with ovens, they use stoves. Baking is a foreign concept. Most people don't even have microwaves.

My foreign friends bought a small toaster oven, so I had to cook the casserole in there. As more and more people arrived for the party, I realized this was not going to be what I would consider a "traditional" Christmas meal.

Here's what others brought for the spread: sushi, fried burritos, some type of meat sticks, fried rice, stir fried vegetables, cold salted cucumbers, french bread and brie, a German noodle casserole (which was awesome), mini carmel apple kebobs, a birthday cake and mozarella sticks.

I was fine with all the different food types. I was not fine with what happened to my casserole. The second I set it on the table, all the Chinese guests got out their cameras and ran to it. They took pictures scooping it out, put their faces next to it, held it up. They even took pictures while they ate it.

For some reason this really annoyed me. I understand they had probably never seen or tasted anything like it but DON'T MANHANDLE MY CASSEROLE! grrr

The dirty Santa exchange was just as unique as the meal. Gifts ranged from tea, alligator mittens, sausage, porn movies (they took the "dirty" part of the game literally), a piggy bank, another birthday cake, remote control car to an illicit painting. To be honest, I am still in a bit of shock after the whole ordeal.

Talk about one Christmas party I will never forget. Still, I can't say it will ever take the place or seem as exciting as being with all of you back home...