Sunday, December 15, 2013

Christmas Party

I'm a bit over due for posting this week. I have been very busy with buying and wrapping some gifts and making preparations for my mother's third move in the facility where she lives. As always things did not go off without a few glitches concerning the move but it is done and she is more or less settled. Now I pray she is going to be okay health wise until we can move her for good to a new facility.  She is eager to get back to where she used to live but because she is already in a facility she is not at the top of the wait list.  If you can remember to say a prayer about her health and about her new place coming up soon that would be wonderful.

Some of the crowd at the Christmas party I attended.  A lot of Asians were represented.

In the meantime, I've also been preparing for Christmas here at home. I posted most of my Christmas cards some weeks back and put up my small decorations around the condo.  I set up my small tree earlier in the week but only just managed to trim the tree on Saturday.  This year it is all in gold tones.

The weather here has warmed up a lot since the cold winds of over a week ago. The bird bath outside had ice in it last week and this week it is back to water.  I'm sure the birds will appreciate it.I can turn my heat off again as it gets a bit too warm inside now.  If I need to take the chill off the air, I can put on the fireplace or cover up.  Of course, I finally covered the vent in my front room which had been blasting very cold air for about 2 weeks. It took a while to move everything from the corner of my living room, tape up the vent with duct tape and heavy duty cardboard, then move everything back in the corner but it is done.  The difference is amazing.

I had a fun time earlier in the week when I went to an annual Christmas party. Apparently this multicultural Christmas Party has been an annual event for about 15 years.  This is the first year I've known about and attended it. I had fun with my friends from Tanzania. It's always nice to experience Christmas through the eyes and delight of children.

The back of the venue.  There were also a lot of people to my right but I didn't capture that section.

was able to go with a number of friends from the neighbourhood and sat in the audience with the family from a place near Mwadui, Tanzania.
The little boy was clearly excited about something on stage.  I think it was the Persian dancer.

These beautiful Vietnamese ladies performed two different dances. There were several other performers but most were moving too fast for me to get good photos.

There was free food reflecting a variety of ethnic groups (East Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Canadian), cultural entertainment from a number of countries (China, Mongolia, Iran, Vietnam, and Canada), many beautiful door prizes and a Santa with toys for all the children under the age of 9.

A dancer from Mongolia.She danced to a slow song but her movements were lithe and quick.

Of course a Christmas party would not be complete without a visit from Santa and toys for the children. They were excited about that. Santa is behind the tree

The little boy from Tanzania really enjoyed the lady from Persia (Iran) and was grooving to the music.
 I captured this video so I could share it with his parents.




Holiday signage at a local, popular restaurant.

Joining with Our World Tuesday.

17 comments:

Jo said...

What a cheerful Christmas party, Penny. Thanks for sharing such a different culture with me here in Africa. We had the ladies' tea (not really Christmas) and then Grant is having a function at the Guest House on Christmas Eve, Yours truly will arrange it, LOL. Next day we will have a Traditional Christmas lunch around the swimming pool at the Client Club. Although Grant and I are the only English people there, we'll have turkey and ham, trifle and Christmas pudding while my Afrikaans friends are roasting a leg of lamb and making a few salads. I am offering up a prayer for your mum to be comfortable in this room until her previous home makes place for her again. Blessings. Jo

jabbott said...

Hope your mum gets settled soon in her new acomadation and I hope she keeps in good health.You need to look aftter your self too,please get some much needed rest over the Christmas period hugs to you x

Mereknits said...

I will say a pray for your Mom, you have been through so much with her lately. It looks like you had a lovely time at the party.
Hugs,
Meredith

Joy said...

You and your Mum are in my thoughts and prayers Joyful - it's been such a difficult time for you both so lets pray that each coming day is much brighter and easier as the move back to her new/old abode comes closer - soon! Wonderful pics from the concert and how lovely to see such a gorgeous mix of people all having a great time together; thanks so much for sharing!
Warm hugs, Joy xo

Ceil said...

Hi Joyful! Boy, you and your Mom have had a lot of moves together. That has to be wearing on both of you. I hope she gets to the right place very soon. Your needs are always in my prayers.

Loved the photos of the party you attended! I would loved to have seen all the dances from the different countries. I bet the dancers were so proud and happy to share their heritages. You have a lovely community!

Blessings,
Ceil

Anonymous said...

Delightful, festive and season photos ~ great for OWT ~ thanks, carol, xxx

Birgitta said...

Very nice! Thanks for sharing!

Photo Cache said...

that's my kind of christmas party, filled with international flavor.

happy holidays.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

That Christmas party looks like the true spirit of Christmas -- and of the way we all should be every day!

Fun60 said...

It is so interesting to see celebrations in different countries but children's excitement is the same wherever you are when Santa appears with his sack of presents.

eileeninmd said...

Sending my thoughts and prayers for your Mom! The Christmas party looks like a lot of fun! Very festive! Have a happy week ahead!

Leovi said...

Wonderful photos! I love the exquisite beauty of these Christmas images! A lovely multicultural party!

Elisabeth said...

Hi Penny, sending you and your mom prayers and hugs; hope she will be settled in for the new year, and that her health will be well!
Thanks for sharing the lovely Christmas celebration photos; it is so nice to be a part of a different culture and see the joy in their eyes and especially the young children! xoxo

Hannapat said...

Hello lovely Joyful, what a wonderful Christmas party to attend, it sure looked like a great deal of fun and what appeals to me the most is seeing so many different cultures all together, simply wonderful. The video of the dancer was great and it most certainly looked like the little boy enjoyed the music, what a lovely memory for him. I am pleased to hear that your mum has moved and I will pray for her in the hope that she gets settled and that she is content there until she gets a place where she lived before. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and I would also like to wish you all a very happy and healthy new year. Much love xoxo

Margaret said...

What a wonderful Christmas party! I think it is so much more interesting when you have so many cultures represented.
All my best to your mother.
Have a wonderful Christmas!

Terriea Kwong said...

Such a marvelous party with multinationals. A cultural atmosphere and great interaction I suppose. My prayer to your mum.

Maureen said...

My mother went into a residential home, her own choice. She then had to move as the home moved premises shortly after which she fell and broke her hip. After four months in hospital she went into a home where she could have nursing care and that was a lovely home. I understand how difficult it is when your mother has to make changes, difficult for everyone to deal with emotionally and physically. I do hope that the situation will be resolved happily for both your mother and you.

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