Adventures of Jazzyfannyfresh: 2016

Oh man, who knew that the holidays season would differ so drastically being in Vietnam? Christmas and New Years had a vibe that I was not anticipating. Maybe it was due to me not having exposure to anywhere else but America. In America, we fill the holidays with errands, presents, and celebrations. Whereas here, it is about presence over presents. That is if you get Christmas off. Due to communism in Vietnam, Christian holidays are not celebrated but actually punished for. They will enforce students to go to school that day and have exams be taken to not allow students to skip. For adults, you would be extremely lucky to have that day off, only if you are working for an international employer. I wasn't anticipating this as I was looking forward to spending time with my family assuming they would be off and we would all be at my grandma's enjoying each other's company. Due to the Lack of the holiday spirit, it made me miss home extremely. I was yearning for what I have known - celebrations with friends, attending Christmas mass and listening to holiday music, experiencing the holiday lights.

This was a prime example of me living inside my bubble and I didn't want to step outside of it and embrace the new. Although I have been exposed to so much during my time in SE Asia, every once in a while it would hit me and leave me nostalgic for home. For my people, my places, where I felt like o had a sense of control. This holiday season required me to let go and let God, and have an open heart to a new way to celebrate. I had to remember the main reason why we were celebrating, which was Jesus's birth. That reminder enabled me to bring peace to myself after several breakdowns.

I was blessed to celebrate Christmas this year with my grandma, aunts & uncles, cousins and my mom. What a joy it was to fill my grandma's home with so much love and laughter. To know that all of us being there made my grandma happy, filled my heart tremendously.

Celebrating in Saigon: