It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

The snow banks of discarded wrapping paper and newspaper fillings have all melted, but the Christmas lights and serenades of Bing still echo through the flats each night. We may not be spending Christmas with those we love most, but there seems to be a firm resolve amoungst the majority of sailors that we will have a Merry Christmas still. I have taken on the role of Christmas Elf, decorating the Engineering office with salvaged garland and borrowed lights… my latest edition is a donated stocking that hangs above my desk filled with chocolates to reward those curious enough to snoop. The twinkling lights have already done a disappearing act that lasted 2 dim nights… the bulbs return was secured with the bribe of 2 Reese Peanut Butter Cookies – only one was lost to calloused Stoker sausage-fingers (We’re still awaiting the reappearance of the garland). I also assisted one of the Hull Techs in “re-wallpapering” the bulkhead outside of the Engineering Workshop. He had received letters and handmade Christmas cards from a school in Lake Cowichan (about 1 hour north of Victoria), thanks to the Christmas spirit of a little girl he knows through horse lessons named Grace. She managed to spark the fire of Christmas cheer in her class, and her older sister spread the idea on to the older grades. There are 49 letters from kids in grades 10 to 12 and lots of drawings from the kindergarten kids up to grade 3. What an uplifting experience to tape each one of these gifts up for all to see. I immediately had an idea while decorating. I asked Vince (the Hull Tech) if he would mind if we gave the crew the opportunity to write back to some of the letters. Vince thought it was a great idea and graciously allowed my inner “control freak” take the reigns and put the plan in motion. I numbered each letter and posted a sign up sheet for all interested to sign up to reply to the particular letter that spoke to them. The feedback was overwhelming… so far about half of the letters have been taken and interest is still growing. We’re even trying to see if we can arrange a visit to the school when we get back to Victoria to thank the kids and show them some photos and video of our trip, for all interested crew. It is definitely making this time of year a lot more joyous and special! The Christmas Cold Fairy also made an early visit… and although I managed to hold out until 2 days ago, I too succumbed to her mystical “fairy dust.” I’m currently engaged in the endless clogged nostril tango – you know, one minute the right one is your sweet avenue to air, you briefly experience that glorious moment of dual air intake, only to be crushed by the re-clogging of now the left nostril. I am stretching my medicinal skills though, concocting various combinations of decongestants and runny nose stoppers… I am still confident I am winning the war, if not each battle. I am thrilled to report that I was the proud recipient of 3 parcels and one Christmas Card/Letter upon our arrival in Muscat, Oman. I loved my card from my Oma… it’s funny, but just receiving one of her cards, with each bit of free white space filled up with her neat writing, made me feel like I was at home – although no one listened to what I read quite as intently as Kevin or my brother Mike would have. My Mom sent me the missing ingredient of a true Christmas – TWO Dutch Chocolate letters (C, of course), which were quickly envied by all who saw them… they are safely locked away in my locker as we speak. She also enclosed pictures (now posted above my head in my rack (bunk) and an “order,” for a pair of animal print stilettos – which I have been showing everyone (you now have 250 sailors looking for your shoes, Mom… most of them are male, mind you, but I have faith!). Dad sent me the biggest of the parcels… to which was enclosed a card and several wrapped presents. I’m waiting until Christmas morning to open those – come on, I have to. They’re wrapped! The best part of that parcel, so far, is that the address was all written out in Dad’s handwriting, I was pretty touched by that little extra! I was also thrilled to see that Mary Ellen had sent me a package too. It was absolutely perfect, she sent a snowman ornament that looks as though it was carved out of wood (my favorite) and a little Christmas tree and tree ornament that spells out “PEACE” (that was my favorite part!). I think the Christmas cake you sent, Mary Ellen, might land me a few favors, as the Chief is a huge fan of fruitcake, and an even bigger fan of rum! Thank you so much for sending these gifts. I felt so special to have received mail, let alone presents and edibles! I have also volunteered to be in the Christmas choir. We will be starting our practices on the 18th and will be performing for the crew on Christmas Eve, after which there will be a showing of a Christmas movie on the flight deck (it will be projected on the hangar door)… our own version of a drive in flick. I’ll let you know how it turns out. I have been told I will have a special part in one of the songs we’re singing, not sure what yet, but the song is called Christmas Shoes. Wow, Google it to read the lyrics, real tear jerker. As it seems my cold meds are starting to wear off, I’ll wait to tell you all about our Muscat, Oman port visit; or Manama City, Bahrain port visit; or my VIP Luncheon with the American Commander of the Persian Gulf (yes, this is the second luncheon I’ve gotten to attend). Are you curious yet?