Christmas Caroling!?!?

Sometimes it is hard to tell that we are approaching Christmas while living in Japan but much has changed since we first visited here about 25 years ago. We see a lot more decorations in the stores and there are many more Christmas items that we can buy here now. Unfortunately there is a lot of X-mas things but we do see Merry Christmas much more than we used to.

The spirit of Christmas is somewhat here but it was evident that it isn't completely when our junior high and high school wanted to have their typhoon makeup day on the 25th however, they changed it pretty quickly. It is nice that they are sensitive to the foreign staff who obviously must have said something.

For Joanna and I, the spirit of Christmas is about Christ's message to give and give freely. Joanna has been volunteering at the library once a month to read an English book to children. I have been doing the Caring Fund in my classroom for about 15 years now to encourage students to give money, however large or small, to help provide money or goods to other people in need. My class is raising money right now but we're not sure where we will give the money. There is a local food bank that needs donations to give food to those who are less fortunate so I might push them in that direction.

Last night Joanna and I were watching YouTube and were watching and listening to Christmas Carols and we came across a flash mob in a mall somewhere that started singing the Hallelujah Chorus and it looked like so much fun. Then we had an idea...what if we went out caroling here in Japan? We are not sure how we would be perceived but it might be worth a try. We came up with a plan to sing outside of train stations, maybe 5 or 6 songs, and then move down the line. I have never done anything like this before but it sure seems like it would be a lot of fun. We have to work a half day next Saturday to make up the typhoon day so since we will already be dressed up, then why not go out caroling? I'm terrified but excited at the same time.

If anyone around here is interested in joining us, then please let us know. The more the merrier!

We were talking about Caring in class and these are some of the things the students came up with.

Student Loving

After teaching 6th grade for many years, I was assigned to 4th grade this year. I always received a lot of affection but I've realized that once I moved to 4th grade, the level of loving has increased. 6th grade at the elementary school level is very challenging because you are trying to transition them from elementary school to junior high school and they are trying to navigate all of the emotions that come with it. Our students this year are so nice and I wonder if it is the grade level or the class we have. Or maybe it is just us and them. Joanna and I have embraced the Poligon and Polichan labels and have run with it. We really have enjoyed working together and have enjoyed our class immensely.

 One of our newer students hand stitched a Poligon face for me.

 I just received this one today.

 This is from the same student.

 A really nice postcard.

 Got this one when it was my birthday.

A student made me an album that I can put things into.

Maybe I'll just stay in fourth grade for awhile!

Christmas Decorations

I remember as a kid the excitement of decorating our house for Christmas. My father had hooks permanently screwed in on the eaves of our house to hang up the Christmas lights outside which I always thought was so smart. When we bought our first house it was two stories and I had a long ladder that went to the second floor and I got about half way up and decided, nah, it just wasn't me. The first year we were there a neighbor down the street fell off of his ladder and we all rushed over to see if he was alright. He ended up being fine but that sealed it for me, we would only put lights on the first floor of our house and that was it.

Living in Japan, Christmas is recognized and many of our students celebrate Christmas and get gifts but they don't really celebrate the meaning of Christmas. We certainly see a lot more Christmas items in the stores compared to when we first came to Japan. It's funny because our jr. high and high school needed to have a make up school day because of a typhoon earlier in the year and of course, they chose Christmas Day. Sacrilege! They ended up moving the day to another day.

We decorate (well, I'll admit, Joanna decorates our apartment) and I really like the spirit of Christmas when everything is put out. I remember, yes another memory, when we first moved to Numazu twenty years ago and we needed a Christmas tree but couldn't really find one and Joanna had her students at school make a paper Christmas tree which was on long butcher paper. She told me that she would bring it home and we could hang it on the wall and use it as a Christmas tree. I thought she was crazy but looking back all these years later, it sure brings back fond memories. Here are some of our decorations now.

 Our front door.

 Our dining room table.

 Some cool Christmas stuff.

 Alex!

 Our other table.

 Beautiful pillow!

 We got this wooden nativity set as a wedding gift and it has brought a lot of joy over the years.

 Our Marshmallow snowmen (Lithuanian one included).

Who doesn't need a little Darth to bring some holiday cheer!

Star Wars outfit

   Januck always makes fun of my outfits and then tells me I am fashionable!  So this is my Jedi look when I went out with a friend this week.

I'm glad I can amuse him in this way!

Toilet Etiquette

When I was a young lad I learned quickly about toilet etiquette because I had a mom and two older sisters. Rule #1 - Always put the toilet seat and lid down! The last thing I wanted to hear was a scream from the other room when one of my sisters sat on the rim of the toilet with the seat up. Rule #2 - Always make sure that the toilet paper roll has enough paper on it so the ladies in my family would not run out. Rule #3 - Always, and I mean always, flush the toilet and wash your hands. I don't think this has to do with having older sisters but it was something that I was taught.

This same etiquette followed me into adulthood and even found its way into my family once we got married and had kids. Lid down, toilet paper full, flush, and wash. Things seemed well until we moved to Japan and the last few years I noticed something strange happening. I noticed that once in awhile the toilet paper roll was finished except for one or two pieces remaining. It didn't really bother me because we had toilet paper nearby. I also noticed that when Rachel came to visit then the toilet cover was left up and I chalked it up to girls living with girls. Then I noticed that Alex was leaving the lid up and I thought to myself..."You've had female roommates and this is what happened to you!" Everyone should put the lid down to make things fair.

Then it happened. The kids were gone and...and...one small sheet left. Three small sheets left. Two small sheets left. NO SHEETS AT ALL. The heavens opened up and a light shined down with the answer. It wasn't the kids who were leaving the toilet paper roll empty. It was Joanna! I had been duped all along and always blamed the kids! JOANNA!!!!

What has music become?

   In Japan, the Beatles will always be a favorite.  We watched a Paul McCartney concert in Tokyo the other night on Netflix and were surprised at first, how many songs we know and second, how popular of a musician he is here in Japan.  He is a great performer as well!

   In our city, they have bars and restaurants that play songs from the 80's and it always amuses me.  Of course, those songs bring back a lot of fond memories of High School dances and songs on the radio through my college years.  I didn't go to this event below, but it is good to know people still listen to disco from the 70's and 80's.

   Last Thursday was a holiday and there was a big music festival and I taped it to watch it later on MTV.  The bands that were featured on different stages were taped LIVE and there were a few bands I looked up to download on our Apple Music.  Some names of songs and artists were:

Strobelite by Gorillaz, Dangerous by The xx

Weight in Gold (Remix) by AJK & Gallant

Almost True-EP by The Strypes 

Now That the Light is Fading-EP by Maggie Rogers

   I was happy to also see TRAIN performing playing their new song, "Play That Song".  I always liked them.  At times, I feel out of touch with what is popular in the U.S. but feel that I am introduced to some European bands, also.

Thanksgiving

We really appreciate the time and effort our director put into making an amazing Thanksgiving spread for the foreign staff and friends. He woke up at 6:00 AM to start cooking because he had to cook the turkey and sides and pies. We ate so much and then ate again because it was so good. He even provided carry-out cartons that will be our dinner tonight. Also, thanks to the Shanks for cooking their turkey which was absolutely amazing! I waited in line for it to be cut to take home. Thanks Mike for your hospitality!

The beautiful bird!

OMG!

 Glazed ham.

 These were probably the best mashed potatoes I've ever had!

The Spread.

Yummmmm!

The dog trying to grab a bite.

Our friend Matt trying to do the same thing!