Smile

I have this habit. I've been called out on it recently. I went to a campfire/barbeque (totally reminded me of home, btw!). During that evening, we split into two groups for a game. One group came up with 10 why? questions and the other group made 10 because...statements. Then they were read as questions and answers. Most of them were rather hilarious. But one question that the other group asked was, "Why Laura always smiles for no reason?"
Okay, I'll admit it. :) I smile. A lot. But I have reasons! That particular time, I was thoroughly enjoying the evening. That campfire was an answer to prayer. I have been longing for a group to just hang out with, and I found it! (even if only for that one night). So I was smiling.
Sometimes I smile at women or children as I pass them on the street. It's my way of saying "Hi. I'm a person just like you, even if I look quite a bit different than most of the people you see every day." I love to see them smiling back.
Other times, I will smile randomly to myself. Like every time I think, "I'm in India!" Smile. :)
Walking down the street, it still amuses me how much attention I draw. I didn't respond to him directly, but I had to smile when a guy yelled after me, "Hullo, sister! Welcome to India!" :)
Sometimes I smile when no other reaction will work. On a recent train trip, I went to brush my teeth and use the toilet. The toilet is basically a hole in the floor of the train. Somehow I managed to lose hold of my toothbrush & toothpaste and they promptly fell through the toilet, out onto the tracks! What could I do? I couldn't get mad. It was actually kind of funny. I smiled. Luckily, I had brushed by teeth just before I dropped them, so my smile was nice and bright! :D
Forgive me if I smile too much. I can't help it. God has blessed me so much this year. Just know that when I smile, there's a reason. This is one habit I'm not going to give up! :D

MCC Christmas Party

The MCC Christmas party was last evening. It was so great to see everyone there again. And this time I got to see all of their children and spice (don’t you think the plural of spouse should be spice? mouse – mice, spouse – spice…:) ). Anyway, it was a very fun evening. I was amused by the use of snowflakes as decorations, as we were sweating at the beginning of the evening. Haha. I had never noticed how many Christmas songs are about snow and cold weather until I was walking down the street, and heard White Christmas playing from a store. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.” Who in Kolkata used to know a white Christmas? Unless the go elsewhere for Christmas every year.

I really enjoyed singing Christmas carols and playing games with the rest of the staff. They were all impressed that I was wearing a sari. I know you’ve all been waiting for that picture, so enjoy! Some others don’t enjoy wearing a sari, but I found it rather fun. Plus, they were all impressed that I can already wrap my own sari. One of the MCC staff, Suniti, helped adjust it for me, and she also wrapped Ruth and Sarah, two of the country reps here in India.

One of my favorite times during the evening was when we all got in a big circle, lit candles and sang “Silent Night.” It was just like being back home. Only difference was that when we finished the English verses, I was all ready to sing it in German, and it never happened! Now, why would I expect them to sing German? It’s only that we always sing it back home too!

Photos are under MCC Christmas Party.