12.25.02
Christmas in Seattle
The last week has been a simply enchanting Christmas in Seattle. On Saturday when I arrived we watched Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring with some friends. I broke down the special effects for people and we talked about the loving care with which Peter Jackson prepared the movie. Afterwards my mother and I volunteered as Users at the ACT Theatere for a presentation of A Christmas Carol. The play was delightful with David Pichette delivering a simply masterful performance as Scrooge.
On Monday we had our friend Sara over for dinner. It has been too long a time since I have seen Sara. Christmas eve at the grandparents followed by Christmas morning with my mother. In the afternoon we had a group of a dozen people over for Ajiaco, a typical Colombian stew often cooked for Christmas. Along with my very good friend Carl, my friend Alejandro, my dear uncle Jimbo and my cousin McGregor I got to meet three graduate students from Colombia whom it was a pleasure to meet. The Ajiaco turned out perfect along with good bread and Guanavana juice. After Ajiaco a jaunt over to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens to see their light display, then onto Candy Cane Lane. The evening was very effectively topped off with a performance of The Nutcracker Suite performed by the Royal Ballet that was enchanting.
A friend asked me if I got anything good for Christmas. I can say that I am very happy to have received a much needed and well fitting cashmere scarf as well as some good books and good chocolate. The best gift for Christmas this year though was spending quality time with family and friends.