Back in the Box

The balls are back in the box. Yes, it’s a bit early. I even cleaned them before putting them in the box. It is related to that spur of energy that still lingers, after a trip abroad. It won't last long, I know from experience, and so I make the most of it while it lasts.

They’re not actually called ‘balls’ I just learned. From a 7-year old. When you’re not a native speaker, there are certain words you’ve never learned. For instance, those ‘Christmas balls’. After all, that’s what you call them in Holland. My son, however, after one year with a Canadian teacher, calls them ‘ornaments’. And now my daughter, with American teachers, calls them ‘baubles’. We have no idea what you call them in Arabic. Hubbie doesn’t know either.

But the baubles are back in the box. And it is January 1, 2010, and there is no snow in the mountains yet. Usually on this day we can go skiing. But it is warm enough to sit out on the balcony in the sun, and I think I might do just that. Happy New Year to you all.