I’ve been reading so many Facebook statuses about exams lately… and I’m oddly homesick. No, I’m not crazy – I know I shouldn’t miss school. But my favourite thing about December exam time was that it meant the holidays were creeping up on you.
And as multicultural as Canada may be, you always know when Christmas is around the corner – the pretty lights, the retail “sales”, the mall rush, the music playing everywhere. Though not an official celebrator of Christmas (the non-Christian part sort of prevents that), the December holidays meant a lot of fun things to me – family bonding, good food, games of Secret Santa… And Kushali!
Nepal has about a million and one festivals to celebrate, but Christmas isn’t one of them; and quite naturally, this is the time of year when expats and volunteers are most homesick. We’re doing whatever we can to embrace the holiday spirit and celebrate away from home; we have an ugly Christmas sweater party planned, potlucks, and our very own Secret Santa. That’s more Christmas than I celebrate at home!
But there isn’t exactly anything to make up for my Kushali withdrawal…. I just want some sherbat! With zero Ismailis and no JK, it’s sort of hard to celebrate the special occasion. And I know it’s ridiculous, who would’ve thought I’d actually miss it? I've always equated the two - December means Kushali and Christmas are around the corner. Kushmas is easily my favourite time of the year (summer is a close runner-up with the sun, beaches, and all); it’s a combo of both holidays, which means gift exchanges and seeing family, and getting dressed up too!
So to all my friends at home, in the least corny way possible, I’m thinking of you during these holidays. To any Ismailis reading this, Kushali Mubarak! Now please eat some extra meat pie and drink lots of sherbat for me!
Missing you all.
And as multicultural as Canada may be, you always know when Christmas is around the corner – the pretty lights, the retail “sales”, the mall rush, the music playing everywhere. Though not an official celebrator of Christmas (the non-Christian part sort of prevents that), the December holidays meant a lot of fun things to me – family bonding, good food, games of Secret Santa… And Kushali!
Nepal has about a million and one festivals to celebrate, but Christmas isn’t one of them; and quite naturally, this is the time of year when expats and volunteers are most homesick. We’re doing whatever we can to embrace the holiday spirit and celebrate away from home; we have an ugly Christmas sweater party planned, potlucks, and our very own Secret Santa. That’s more Christmas than I celebrate at home!
But there isn’t exactly anything to make up for my Kushali withdrawal…. I just want some sherbat! With zero Ismailis and no JK, it’s sort of hard to celebrate the special occasion. And I know it’s ridiculous, who would’ve thought I’d actually miss it? I've always equated the two - December means Kushali and Christmas are around the corner. Kushmas is easily my favourite time of the year (summer is a close runner-up with the sun, beaches, and all); it’s a combo of both holidays, which means gift exchanges and seeing family, and getting dressed up too!
So to all my friends at home, in the least corny way possible, I’m thinking of you during these holidays. To any Ismailis reading this, Kushali Mubarak! Now please eat some extra meat pie and drink lots of sherbat for me!
Missing you all.
Kushali Mubarak Naf! We miss you over here and send prayers and lots of hugs! Muah
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Nadia will be more than happy to drink more sharbet for you.
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