Merry Christmarrrsss Part 3: Christmas with Grenica!

Christmas in China turned out to be quite successful, and less stressful than I had initially anticipated.

Greg and I started the day in a Christmas spirit stupor! Despite being on the other side of the world my affection for the holiday did not waver. We exchanged gifts. I skped with my family, and it was down to business. As quickly as I could I tried to tidy the apartment that Greg and I worked hard to clean the day before, get ready for our many guests, and start to cook!

Lizzie and Seth came over early in the afternoon to help with everything. We exchanged gifts and stocking stuffers. I was getting excited for Christmas dinner and our new friends who would be joining us to arrive, but, was still nervous as shit that I would screw up the cooking. I’ve never made dinner for this many people, Christmas dinner no less. Greg, Seth, Lizzie and I worked as a well oiled machine, and I think it all turned all pretty fricken great. I ended up making: a pot roast, butter chicken, shrimp/pork/broccoli curry, mashed potatoes (which were a group effort between Greg, Lizzie and I), salad (made by Greg), rice, and a stew thing with beef and carrots (it was originally supposed to be gravy but I messed it up a bit and made a last minute decision), Lizzie also made brownies that we forgot to eat at dinner… but I wasn’t complaining. The four of us ate them when everyone left, and they were damn good!

Our friends started to show up around 5:30. Slos and Maymay, Rita and Hyde, Jerry, Gangzai, Kamen and his girlfriend whose name I don’t know. The majority of them said they absolutely loved the food and were so gratuitous!! It made me feel so great (even if they were lying). Jerry walked in like he owned the place, so excited to be there. He brought us bottles of wine and champagne, and Angry Bird piggy banks for gifts. Slos, Maymay, Rita and Hyde kept telling us how amazing they thought everything was and how much they appreciated the four of us and how we invited them over. Though, really, it was our treat.

They brought tequila, and so the girls did a Christmas shot (or two). Our friends had to leave to go to work (at SoHo). And, while Seth, Lizzie and I were pretty much ready to go, Greg needed a little convincing. Maymay and Hyde made it their mission to get Greg out.

SoHo on Christmas. Weird. Not traditional at all. But, it ended up being one of the best night I think I’ve had there.

All in all, Christmas in China was great. It was no Ottawa Christmas with the Bansie’s, but it was a pretty swell substitute I’d say.