December 21, 2000 Christmas Lights
Growing up in Hilo, there were just a few houses adorned with lights and decorations at Christmas time. My favorites were the house across my elementary school, with a train that circled the entire lawn, and the house on Kaumana Drive, that added a new decoration to their spectacular display each year. However, when I moved to Oahu for college, I had my first experience with the Honolulu City Lights.
For a country girl, my eyes were wide open as I took in the huge Christmas tree, and all the displays that spanned an entire block in downtown Honolulu. Ever since I first saw the lights, I have managed to go and walk around every year. It makes me feel like a little kid, mesmerized by the excitement and spirit of Christmas. Although it never was a childhood tradition, it has quickly seduced me into making it a “must see” every year.
This year, I went to see the lights just once. My husband Kyle, my sister and brother, and my friends from Japan, the Kimuras, went together after dinner one night, and had a lot of fun taking pictures, and just enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of the evening. Last year we went twice-once it was just Kyle and I, and then with my sister and brother. (We like to go with someone else, like my sister, so that she can take pictures of us!) The year before, I took the Kimuras to the exhibit for their first City Lights experience, and this year, they wanted to go back. You see-the lights just capture everyone!
We also went to see the decorated homes around Oahu. For the first time, I visited “Christmas Lane,” a street in Ahuimanu where practically every house on the street is decorated. Many people park their cars, and walk up and down the road, taking in the beautiful sights.
I once heard that Christmas light decorations around the house don’t really add a lot to the electricity bill-maybe just $20 to $30 more. I’m not sure if it’s true, but if it is, I think it’s a great way to treat your family, neighbors, and anyone driving by to a wonderful sight. Perhaps that’s why so many more homes now have at least a string of lights hanging from the awnings, or around the trees in their yards.
I look forward to the Christmas lights each year. But as much as I love the Honolulu City Light display, I still drive Kyle to the decorated homes that I remember from my childhood, every time we go back to Hilo for the holidays.
Susan Sensei’s English Lesson #59(スーザン先生の英語講座)
For two years I taught English in Japan, and was “スーザン先生” to my students in Ikaho town, Gunma Prefecture. I will try and introduce new words and phrases for the Japanese visitor to Hawaii. Here is this week’s situation: 【今週のレッスン】 1.GBCストア(アラモアナのシアーズやロイヤルハワイアンにあって便利)で購入 ロコならたぶん2番目をチョイス。もちろん、あなたにだってトライできます! スーパーへ行って(セーフウェイ、タイムス、フードランドなど)、青果コーナーの店員にこう言いましょう。 「すみません。空になったりんごの箱をもらえますか?」 たいていは空箱が手に入るはず。時々ない時もあるけれど、それでもタダで箱が手に入るチャンスは大! (箱代はハワイのほうが日本より高い。) |
コメントを残す