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!