Merry Christmas, Officer

So this year was the first I have been without my family for Christmas. It was tough, but I think it was tougher for them because it didn't really feel like "Christmas" here. There was no tree (well, I bought a small silver tree from the 100 yen store, but that was more because of how hideous it was) and no lazy Christmas Day. However, I tried to make the best of it and ended up having a nice time. Christmas Eve I met my friend Jenny and we attended Mass. It was actually really nice going to Mass. Although the language was totally different, the order of things was the same, and that was comforting. The priest was Polish and he made an effort to translate things into English, but his English was worse than his Japanese! Afterwards, I went to my friend Lisa's house for a little get-together. It was really fun! We all ate and drank and commiserated about being so far from home. Afterwards, Becca and I got a special Christmas gift from Japan...we were stopped by the po-po. Becca didn't have a bike so I was trying to ride with her on the back of my bike, and apparently that is a big no-no in Japan. Looking back on it though, it could have been that driving ANYTHING while intoxicated is where to real problem lies. I'm not quite sure what the kindly police officer was saying to me, and I don't think he wanted to deal with us either. He let us go....and we continued riding twosies! We are such rebels.

Christmas Day sucked. I had to work and it was horrible. Japanese people don't really celebrate Christmas, its regarded as more of a "date night" for couples. New Years in Japan is more like our version of Christmas. So we remained open on Christmas, but it was a really slow day, so the Japanese staff asked me to clean while I had free lessons. Specifically, they wanted me to clean the windows. Now, those that know me know I don't EVER clean windows, and I was certainly not about to start on the day my Lord was born. (Actually, they could have asked me on June 9th and I still wouldn't have done it, the date's irrelevent) So I took the cleaning solution, found a nice corner, and took a nap. Thank you, little Lord Baby Jesus, for being born so I could sleep at work. It was quite restful and I finished work all relaxed for my Christmas evening festivities. I ended up going to a nice dinner with my friends, and it was actually great. Jenny and I met my friend at a local strip mall, where she had told me about the most adorable SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPY at the pet store. The best present ever: I got to hold him! Here I am, kicking Christmas off the right way....with some puppy breath and kisses:





Then it was on to dinner. Dinner was actually really fun. There was quite a group of us, and we ate and drank (nomi hodaii!!!) for quite a few hours, just talking and having fun. I am super grateful Jenny could join us, and also my friends Kengo and Tomoe. We had a great time, drank too much, ate too much, and generally just indulged. Tell me this doesn't look like Angelina Jolie's family Christmas in like 20 years:

Naughty....

and nice! Kengo and Jenny goofing off.



So, at the all you can drink dinner, Jenny, Tomoe and I were super excited because the restaurant had Sangria. It was delicious! Unfortunately, it was a little too delicious, because we drank their whole supply! As sad as we were, I think they were more shocked.

Naughty...

and nice Part Deux

What the hell am I doing?





Too much food!


Possibly the greatest thing ever....Roy in kilt. Its okay, he's Scottish!





After the fun dinner, Jenny, Kengo and I walked to Gods Bar (everyone else took a taxi. Wusses!) We had a fantastic time singing Christmas Carols at the top of our lungs, waking the neighborhood dogs along the way (sorry Koriyama!). When we got to God's, we partied like it was our birthday, sipped Bacardi like its our birthday....oh wait, it was little Baby Jesus' birthday. No Bacardi for him! I was also approached by a police officer AGAIN, for no reason whatsoever! Its totally because I'm white. But again, the Christmas spirit was in him, and I was able to enjoy the rest of my night. Although I had a great time, I can't wait for next year...because by hook or by crook, I'll be home for Christmas, not only in my dreams!