Ah Christmas, the festive season, full of goodwill and cheer! I am starting to feel it! First I had my fun Christmas party with my students then yesterday I got a surprise visit at the Junior High from the Kindergarten Teacher. She gave me my first Christmas present! A DVD of the kindergarten lesson I had done the previous week (the one the Board of Education and PTA observed). I was quite touched, I will have to get her something nice from Thailand. It even had a picture of me with the kids printed on it and with typical Japanese care and attention to detail she had first put the DVD in a Universal studios Japan bag and then a Comme ca Du Mode bag. Sigh... who is this brute who want to leave this island and its kind folks!
Well anyway and if you have a moment spare why don't you find out about the real Saint Nicholas. The site has a wealth of information of Saint Nicholas and how he evolved into Santa Claus (Santa San in Japan). I am not saying Santa Claus is bad, he is a wonderful character but like the site says Saint Nicholas is just better. One preaches commercialism the other compassion, you choose.
Here is the link:
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38
Or if you are in a hurry just go to this page (it compares Saint Nic. to S.Claus):
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=36

Have a wonderful Holiday season!

My Christmas party and history of the traditional okinawan dish - 'Win-on a bowl or rice'

I and my English conversation class kids posing with Christmas choc lollys my mum had sent.

The last two presents in the pass the parcel were magnifying lens glasses and bunny ears, a victim was chosen.

Yesterday I had my English conversation class Christmas party. Normally I have the first years 6-7 and then the 3rd years 7-8. However sometimes I combine the classes and I thought that would be more fun for the Christmas lesson/party. It was heaps of fun and ended up going on until almost 9pm! Three hours! I had only planned on 2 but we played Monopoly.......
They are good kids and I enjoy taking the class (plus I get a half day on Monday because of it). Oh and Kaho braught some cakes her mother had cooked, maiu datta.
Sooo did you know katsudon is called katsudon (katsu meaning 'to win' ) because it is eaten before sports events, and its like a 'hey lets win food'. Or maybe it was already called katsudon and thats why they eat if before a game. Anyway whichever is the cause and whichever is the effect, it is a breaded pork on rice dish called 'win - on a bowl of rice' and it is eaten before sporting events.