Just another Christmas

Merry Christmas to readers.

Boyfriend Maiyuu and I are having a quiet night indoors.

He spent several hours today pottering in the kitchen, making tasty chicken treats.

In years gone past, he might have gone dancing on Christmas Day with friends.

This year he has decided to watch TV at home with me. Or perhaps no one called to invite him anywhere.

'Are you going out?' Maiyuu asked me.

'No...too old and tired,' I said. 'Are you?'

'I can't be bothered...I want to stay at home,' he said.

I have been busy in the lead-up to Christmas.

At nights I have gone to work as usual. During the day, I have supplemented my earnings by working for a foreigner friend.

Farang M, an engineer, works at an export electronics factory.

Every morning I take a 20min taxi trip to his company. We sit in his air-conditioned office, which resembles a sound lab, repairing the English language on his company's website.

He drives me part of the way home, and I get a taxi the rest of the way.

I get home in time for a quick shower. Half an hour later, I catch a bus for a 40min trip to work where I start my night-time job.

Today, farang M takes the day off, as it is Christmas. He is the only foreigner on the company's payroll, though possibly not the only Christian on staff.

His company does not observe Christmas Day as a holiday. If Thai staff want to take the day off, they will have to make special arrangements, like my foreigner friend. Otherwise, it's just like any other day.