Ah, the Christmas season is upon us, which even in Taipei can put one in a somewhat buoyant mood. This will be Josh's first Christmas, though he is really too young to appreciate the full majesty of the holiday. I'm sure he will not be totally immune to the wonder of the flashing lights, strange sights and scents.

We'll be returning to California to spend two weeks with my parents. Ojai, California does not quite possess the Christmas cred of, say, a small town in New Hampshire, but it serves the purpose just fine for me. Just the idea of being able to sit in front of a crackling fire with a big glass of zinfandel--fireplaces and zins being seriously lacking in far Formosa--sends me into fits glee.

So now begins the mad rush to get all my loose ends tied up here before heading back. Christmas shopping in Taipei presents its own unique challenges. Perhaps a trip to Yinge is in order. Never can go wrong with pottery.