#97 Happy Holidays

[스티븐스 대사]

Greetings, Netizens.  Just as many of you are busy attending year end parties, we at Embassy Seoul are also, despite the continuing demands of work, taking time to enjoy the holiday atmosphere.  One of my favorite year-end traditions here in Seoul is hosting an “open house” for all the Embassy employees and their families.  I especially enjoy welcoming our employees’ children to the residence, where they can see our Christmas tree and meet Santa Claus.  We had children ranging from babies who had not reached their “dol” (100 days) to university students back from the U.S. for a holiday with their diplomat parents.  It was great to see all of them.

Let me explain why we have an “open house.”  My residence is large, but cannot accommodate all our employees and families indoors at one time.  So instead, on December 18 I opened the house throughout the day to our guests. 

I think this “open house” tradition is more American than Korean.  And I should explain that if you visit the United States and see a sign that says “open house” it means that sometime is trying to sell his house!  Real estate agents schedule a date and time when they open a house for potential buyers to stop by and have a look.  But I assure you we are not selling Habib House in Seoul!  Instead our “open house” is the kind we often host at holidays, but also sometimes as a house-warming, graduation, or birthday.  The host invites friends, relatives and colleagues to celebrate the special occasion.  Even though many people attending might already know each other, sometimes guests meet for the first time during an open house.  This concept is a little different from the year end parties held in Korea, where many gatherings are held among different groups of people who already know each other through a common connection, such as high school friends, college alumni or office colleagues.  Of course, at our open house, most of our employees know each other, but sometimes they are meeting their colleagues’ spouses or children for the first time.  And that makes it special.

 

This is my chance to tell Santa Claus what I want for Christmas!

The haitai in front of the house decorated for the occasion 

Together with my Public Affairs staff and their families

Together with my Public Affairs staff and their families, the Salvation Army also continued their tradition of singing Christmas carols and people exchanged holiday greetings.  It was also nice to have so many children attend, especially since they were all dressed up so beautifully for the holidays.

The Salvation Army singers continue their tradition of providing good music and raising money for those in need. 

I wish you all happy holidays.  2010 has been quite a year.  I thank all of you for your interest in U.S.-Korean relations and your many kindnesses to me.  Here is my Christmas card for you in 2010.