O Christmas Tree!

Today I bought a Christmas tree at the local supermarket. I saw 3 sizes of trees on display last week, but didn't want to mess with asking if I could buy them. This week, I wanted to know--I was tired of a tree-less home!

They actually had price tags on them, so I found a worker to ask if I could buy the middle-sized one. (about 6ft) She said something I couldn't understand and waved me off. I wasn't havin' it--I needed a tree! So I tried to call a student who speaks good English to translate for me. Of course, she didn't pick up.

Just then, a young college couple walked up. I asked if they knew English--they said a little. Good enough! She explained to the worker I wanted to buy the tree. The worker asked if I wanted all the ornaments on it. I asked if they cost anything--of course they did! So I said no. The worker proceeded to strip the tree of all the ornaments. Ha! I was dying. Apparently they had no others. Apparently they weren't actually planning to sell these trees, but put a price tag on them just in case a crazy foreigner wanted to buy one. Thankfully, it came apart in 3 pieces so I could fit it into my Chinese-sized cart (about 2/3 the size of US) and proceed to shop. I bumped into several people...and just about everyone really stared (remember, staring at the strange foreigner is normal to them--but this was extra) at my cart as I walked past confidently. :)

I'm curious to see if the tree is replaced by the time I go next week.

I put it up and put a few ornaments and lights on it. It's definitely skinny and a little Charlie Brown-ish, but I don't care. I'm happy to have it!