Christmas Time is Here!

We wanted to get some Christmas pictures up for you to see here before we head to Cyprus for a little R & R tomorrow. Even though we live in a primarily Islamic nation, the Christian community still goes all out when it comes to celebrating the birth of our Saviour. And as it should be, since it's only the birth of the most significant figure in human history!
Here's a picture of me standing on a chair and decorating our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree that stood atop our fireplace. And don't make fun of it...even though I did. It was special to us. And the cats thought it was pretty special too. They're big enough now to jump up on things, and the top of the fireplace is a short leap away from the dining room table. Every now and then when we weren't looking we would hear the "ping - ping" of little ornament balls being batted around the tile floor. And FYI...I don't usually parade around with a dirty posterior: we had just returned from one of my last softball games of the fall season (champs, 28 W - 0 L). I doubt I'll ever get too old to slide around in the dirt!
Here's a better shot a couple weeks later: tree, presents, our new stockings hung by the fire, and our restrained version of a warm Christmas fire. It's really cold in our apartment this time of year (dang the cement!), so unfortunately it's not a functional fire place. And yes, Mom and Dad, if you're wondering, the presents you sent are there under the tree. Behind my head you can also see one of Kerry's great pictures we had framed from when she trekked the gorillas in Uganda in June 2005. There are two more similar ones hung on the same wall (out of our picture). Kerry had our new stockings ordered from a great shop not far from our apartment, where they're pretty handy with a needle. I think they are great!
Here's some better shots of them:




It's difficult to see, but they also have our names written in Arabic on the toe.

This is Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Several weeks ago, Kerry, her parents, and myself were asked to do the advent candle lighting at the 9 pm service. Then last week, we were fired. Actually, it was just a miscommunication between the organizers of the service...but still. Fired from advent candle lighting! Got to be a first.

Embracing the McGuigan family tradition, Santa put some absolutely ridiculous things in Kerry and I's stockings. Take this cheap (and quite frightening) Santa mask for example:

Ready...

...Set...

...Destroy!!!...

This is my excited face.

Who wouldn't be excited when you have this to look forward to?! This is the McGuigans place after Kerry and I added to the heap.

Very Festive...well done, Kathy.

"Ooopening!" (Uncle Leo, Seinfeld, anyone?). Who's hat is cooler...Dan's santa hat with battery operated lights around the trim, or my new fleece-lined addidas bini (thanks, Kathy!). Ok, yes, maybe Dan's wins. I'm also sporting my new hoodie. Is the feel of the inside of a fuzzy new sweatshirt not the most comfortable thing in the world?

We're not really focused on the camera because we were watching the tape-delayed Seahawks / Chargers game. Next year's Christmas letter: Dear Santa, I think Mike Holmgren has been very good this year. Please give the Seahawks a WR that doesn't drop passes and DBs who don't give up the big play!! $#*^!!!

Here's a picture to make your mother worry...or laugh. This is my Arab-trying to keep a straight-face.

Beautiful new necklace: affordable. Beautiful new painting to be hung above the dining room table: expensive. Beautiful new wife: priceless.

Terrific contribution to the stocking by the father-in-law! How is this chocolate not melting?

Post Christmas Dinner...that's why we look so content. Sigh...Thank you, God, for Ham. Our friend, Jolly, is on the left. She is from Uganda, is studying demographics in Cairo, and works with Marcus.

The Cairo family. Only 4 of us...but 6 if you count Astro and Sinai (dogs), 9 if you count the birds, 10 if you count Kerry's fish...

...Or 12 if you count our cats! This was yesterday. They're getting so big!

Merry Christmas and God Bless you All!

Why are there camels in the church?

What do you get when you combine 3 camels, a donkey, a lamb, and the Lamb of God? Answer: Maadi Community Church's annual Christmas pageant! Last night was my (Marcus) second consecutive year getting to see the great performance. I don't remember last year's being quite as funny though. At one point during the first performance, we almost lost one of the wisemen, our friend and youth intern, Kelly Garrett. With Kelly atop its back, a guest-starring camel went from laying to standing (it was supposed to), and Kelly was almost launched forward off the front of the camel. For those of you who haven't been on a camel before, it is more than a bit awkward when they go from laying down to standing, or visa versa. Personally, I think its similar to what it would be like to spend a couple moments in a tumble dry cycle.

Kerry has been fortunate to witness the pageant several times over the years her family has spent here. However, contrary to years past, last night she was a part of the performance. She sang a 'sparkling' duet with Travis, our friend and the church's youth director. Even though they got stuck singing the cheesy Christmas tune, "Mary did you know?", it was easily the best version I've heard. Honestly, for those who haven't heard Kerry sing, it is a wonderful treat. I always hoped I would marry a woman with a terrific singing voice...lucky me!

The performance began late, so the guys and I had a little spare time in the audience. With me are Nathan Bramson (left) and Craig Dow (right). Craig's wife-to-be, Erin, was the choir director, and they both teach at AIS with Kerry.

Here are a few interesting shots from our life here in Cairo! Hope you enjoy!

This is my class! My 14 kids in all their glory and missing teeth. They're all Egyptian, save a couple half Egyptians/half something else. Always lots of fun to be had in a 3rd grade class! And I look almost like I've got things under control! Amazing.

Our cats, Cato and Panther, snoozing on our very green couch. We're so glad we nabbed them off the streets before they contracted rabies or were eaten by a street dog. They fill our lives with lots of joy and shredded napkins.

Some of the beautiful Sudanese children benefiting from the incredible work that Marcus's office does.

I'm telling you, it's dangerous around here!!

Good Times Had by All

For the second year in a row, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with a bit of an international flavor. There were more than 20 people at Kerry's parent's place. Most of us were American, a couple Egyptians, and there were also several Canadians who were sitting in on their second Thanksgiving meal of the season (Canadian Thanksgiving is in October). We didn't make them feel bad though, because it was Kerry and my second one as well...we feasted at Canadian Thanksgiving too. There was so much food! And such good food! We love the Thanksgiving meal so much...many of you know we had it at our wedding last July. We already can't wait for it next year!

My favorite was Jamie's homecooked S. Carolina cornbread stuffing...ooooh man! (that's Jamie partially viewable on the left). You might be able to see it on my plate somewhere under the flood of Dennis Tucci's excellent gravy! (see Dennis, behind me) And that is Spanish sherry in my glass, purchased during our honeymoon in Spain.

Wintersong

We will be in Cairo for Christmas this year and will be with Kerry's parents. Although I'm still excited for the season, for me (Marcus), it will be my first Christmas away from home, parents, and other relatives. Kerry and I have been listening lately (granted, a bit early) to a Christmas/Holiday album we got our hands on: Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong... a great listen that gives our drafty home a warm feel. One song in particular, a serene remake of Joni Mitchell's River (track 3), at times has been making me particularly homesick for the Pacific NW: for frosted and wooded scenery, seeing my breath, the smell of fir & pine, lights lining roofs and windows, the smoke from chimneys, and the feel of an occasional snowflake. Here's to a Christmas season full of good times for you all! Enjoy the essential elements that make it special.

Up and Running

Well, we've got this up and running now. More updates and pictures will be on the way soon! Hopefully we will be able to get a few pictures of our apartment posted here too. Take care all!