Keep on truckin' through...

Life is real busy right now. I guess it's Christmas, so that is to be expected...at the same time I was sorta hoping Christmas in Romania meant a 3 week break where all I do is sleep in, drink hot chocolate, and read by the fire. Hah. Dream on.
Nah, I knew it wouldn't be that lackadaisical but here's to fantasizing about it.
Reality check:
-Last week Saturday we had Round 1 of the "Canned food drive" all afternoon
-Had Thanksgiving #2 on Monday and said "official" goodbyes to American students
-American students left on Wednesday
-Thursday was Annie's (the nurse) last day in Tsigmadru before vacation and medicine storage/care had to be sorted out for the next 5 weeks while she goes to England
-Today I went out in Tsigmadru and spent the day planning (with both the kids and the teens) their Christmas program and party for next week
-Tomorrow is Round 2 of the "Canned food drive" during the afternoon and at night we have the Veritas/volunteer Christmas dinner
-Sunday I am going out to Tsigmadru in the morning to "film" with the teens (they are making a Christmas movie for the church) ...I'm an angel.

It was just last week that I said goodbye to Hans. And just last week that we celebrated mos craciun (said mosh crah-choon) day. Also just last week that we stayed home and made gingerbread houses and cookies. How is that possible?
Less than 12 days from now is Christmas. That's just sheer insanity. On one hand I'm in complete denial: It's not winter and no WAY is Christmas in a little more than a week. On the other hand I've embraced it: We witnessed a desperately hot summer and beautifully colored fall, naturally it's time for winter. Along with that reality I would enjoy some snow...I would even be happy if a blizzard came along, although it's almost risky saying so.
I love snow. I love putting on layer upon layer of clothing until I actually break a sweat from the effort, then walking outside into the bitter cold and still feeling the stiffness of my gloves and jeans through all layers as the cool air drifts over them. I love the smell of a fresh snow (or frost). I love the feeling your nose gets after being outside once you've escaped the frigidness and entered into a warm and cozy house. I love pulling out sweaters that have been tucked away since last winter and wearing my slippers (by my own choice) because they keep my feet so toasty. I love laying on the carpet with the boys under a warm blanket watching Elf together. I love drinking a hot cup of real, rich and creamy hot chocolate in the early morning when my eyes barely want to open. I love the fact that because I'm entering a time of tradition, there are all sorts of new cultural differences to delight in and be a part of. I love that here Christmas is less about stuff and more about people. So even though it's crazy busy...
I love winter and Christmas-time in Romania.