"I'm dreaming of a ...wet, dark, cold Christmas"

I'm not really longing to be home in the damp, dark Irish weather that everyone in Ireland keeps reminding me of but at the same time there is definitely a piece of magic missing from Christmas this year and my only theory is that the strange December sun has dried it all up. One would think "ooh, a sunny Christmas, how exotic". Not really! Not in Wellington anyway, even though it is very warm with bright clear skies today, the last week has been wet, warm, cloudy and generally uncomfortable. I had myself believing that the rain was a comforting reminder of home but I don't remember December to be so...sticky. I do hope that the 25th is sunny and HOT and not so flippin confusing! If I am going to be in the southern hemisphere for probably my favourite time of year I would rather do it right and instead of a getting a toothbrush in my stocking, get sun burnt! Thank you.
I am working Christmas eve. For some reason I volunteered to take someone else's shift, don't ask me why, I think it's the humidity making my nerve endings fire causing me to say stupid things without my control or permission. I should finish at about 8 or 9 pm though which isn't so bad.
The packages that Mum sent me are tidily sat underneath our anti tidy Christmas tree. Unfortunately our unfortunate tree isn't the most balanced and will only stand up if its anorexic side is facing the us, the unfortunate public. Our housemate donated the decorations, "girls, it'll be beautiful, they aren't at all tacky.." hmm... Would you like some cheese with your Christmas tree? Apparently yes, yes we would...lots.
I am half very excited and half terrified of what I will find in my two packages from Cobh. I have been told that there are photos of home and many packets of the requested Taytos to look forward to. But there is also legend of an unknown evil wrapped within the innocently disguised brown paper. Every single time I ring home Mum warns me of the nightmarish form the requested box of Barry's tea has taken. "Everyone said that if you are sending things over sea to get them vacuum packed" she explained. As ever mother instantly regretted her actions and reluctantly wrapped the awkward rock of combined opaque paper and tea leaves. I fear the giant solid mass of black leaves and stained paper will put me off tea, even Barry's tea FOREVER!!!! The film could be called Nightmare on Christmas morning!
I expect that I will have to take Christmas this year with a spoonful of sugar or maybe even a shot glass of whiskey. I don't know how it will be. I have no doubt that it will be strange but pleasant none the less. Hold on, strange is right! There is 3 Santa's playing drums and a guitar singing Silent night in the back of a moving pick up in the middle of a busy city street as I write this. Whatever blows your skirt up I suppose.
I think the thing is that it won't actually seem like Christmas at all, to be honest that may be my saving grace. Merry Christmas to ye all at home! Have a good one and enjoy the lousy weather for me!
Nollaig Shona!!!!! Steph xxx

p.s. There they go again. Imagine "Let it snow", rock n' roll style. Again... strange.