The escalator brought her out of the train station Sunlignt greeted her, together with the sound of Christmas music. She bore the summer heat for just a few seconds, then ducked into a mall, to enjoy artificial coolness provided by the mall's air-conditioning unit. Ah! She could almost make herself believe it was snowing outside. The Christmas decorations in the mall transported her into a winter wonderland. Wait! Her fellow shoppers brought her daydream to an abrupt halt. They were dressed in tank-tops and shorts! Oh well! There was no law against celebrating Christmas in places without winters. Her Christmas mood was restored.
She did not know shopping for Christmas presents could be so fun, till a few years ago. She remembered trying to "celebrate" Christmas when she was a little girl. She could only dream about it. Her Chinese parents thought Christmas was just for Americans and Europeans. She would have thought so too, if she were not introduced to books - and television! She loved the cozy and warm feeling of Christmas. Of course, she liked the noisy, and loud atmosphere of the Lunar New Year celebrations too! Conflict? Nah! She felt lucky and rich!
She ducked into one of the stores to look for presents for her Chinese-speaking American friend, and globe-trotting sister - who happened to be her Christmas celebrating buddies! Of course, they embraced the Lunar New Year celebrations too! Merry Christmas, and Gong Xi Gong Xi!
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