Hi Nadin,

It is a good topic.  Thanks.

My fondest Christmas was when I was nine. My father was just transferred to Germany and we spent our first Christmas in a small town.  I was in a Christmas play and we learned two Christmas songs in German.  The original of Stille Nacht (Silent Night) and Oh Christmas Tree.  I can still sing them even though many, many years have passed. I remember caroling, going to the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg; so many good memories.

I have just moved to China to teach English this month, so I will spend Christmas in a new land. But, I am making the most of it.  Our students will have a Christmas party.  I will invite the staff to my apartment too for a small party too.  It is the time to be happy and celebrate the joy of the holiday even though I will be half a world away.

Dmitry,

I completely agree with you.  I brought up the ride at Disneyland as an example.  A tool for teaching my point.

My hope is that as we learn another language and study other cultures that the world will feel smaller to us. 

That we will learn from children.  They readily accept other people.  The have to be taught to discriminate and hate. We have much to learn from them.  It was Walt Disney's desire in creating the ride for the world to realize that we have much more in common than we imagine.

Italki is also a tool that site that can make the world seem smaller.  At least that is my hope and desire.

Mumtaz, I went to Disneyland in California when I was little and then the next time when I was 25.  I also went to Disney World in Florida when I was 28.  It is great to have a chance to see the world through a child's eyes.  I rode on the "It's a Small World" ride and enjoyed it immensely.

Sophie, that is great.  Maybe next time you can take a ride on "It's a Small World"

The Swiss Alps, Hawaii, New Zealand, my current home state which contains part of the Rocky Mountains. I am fortunate this time of year to see snow covered mountains every day when I drive.

You really didn't expect me to pick one place ;)

I hope to see many of the places that others mentioned in their replies.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Friends get-together

Today I had hosted a dinner get-together at my apartment with my friends together. They are also visiting scholars at USF too from Jiangsu Province. It was like a pot-luck party. and they all brought some food with them. We talked a lot and drank some beers. It was a nice party for us.

Friends get-together

Today I hosted a dinner get-together at my apartment with my friends.  They are also visiting scholars at USF from Jiangsu Province. It was a pot-luck party. We talked a lot and drank some beers.  It was a nice party for us.

"like" is not necessary in that sentence.  It is or it isn't a potluck.

The use of the term pot-luck implies that everyone brought different food dishes, so you don't need to say that in the sentence.

Hunter Lee, I have noticed an improvement in your writing.  Don't worry about the corrections. Good job. Keep practicing.

Mumtaz,

Thanks for adding the song.  It is a sweet video.