I had a very sedate Christmas here in Japan this year.
I didn't order a Christmas cake or a box of fried chicken in advance (two very Japanese Christmas things to do) to eat on Christmas. I didn't have a party. I didn't sing Christmas Eve karaoke with Stan. I didn't even open any presents on Christmas!
So what did I do??
Stan was sick over the weekend leading up to Christmas, so I mostly sat around watching downloaded TV shows, crocheting, and waking Stan up from his feverish delerium to make him drink water.
I went shopping on Christmas Eve day only to discover that the grocery store had already sold out of their small, smoked turkey selection. Turkey meat only seems to be available during Christmas time here, so that was a real bummer! I did manage to have ham, orange sweet potatoes and stuffing for Stan and I to eat on Christmas Day! Stan was still feeling a little iffy, so I did most of the eating.
I also got to talk to my mom on Christmas day, which was my favorite part of Christmas! I was feeling very sad about not being with my family in the US this Christmas, so it meant a lot to talk to my mom, and to listen to her reaction as she opened the presents I had sent.
I hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

Whoa, Nelly!

I just calculated how much gas is costing me in Japan. Gas is currently 153 yen per liter at my local gas station. After several conversions and some calculating, that menas that gas costs me $5.07 US dollars per gallon! And I often drive between 1 and 2 hours a day! Oh, the humanity!

Dear friends and family in the US, please think of me paying over $5 per gallon when you feel the urge to complain about gas prices!

My excitement about India is building!
In March 2008 I will lead a Habitat for Humanity Global Village team to volunteer near Pondicherry, India. This will be my second time as a team leader, and my third Global Village trip.
I just found an absolutely beautiful collection of photos from another team who volunteered in the same area earlier this year. Please check it out here!

It's hard to believe that I'm going to India finally, and that I will be blessed with another life-changing GV volunteer experience!

I never could have imagined, even a few years ago, that...
I would be living in Japan,
in a relationship with a man I love,
lucky enough to do international volunteer work,
feeling so blessed by God.

Thanksgiving has passed, but I am truly thankful.

There's a cold, cold rain falling on my little village today. Brrrrrr.
I rushed into school without my customary down coat, because I was running late this morning. I soon found out that I didn't have to give a listening test until 2nd period. So, I sat at my desk, only to discover that long johns, corduroy pants, an undershirt, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a long, wool sweater coat, and a wool scarf aren't enough to stay warm inside the school today! So I had to run back into the rain to get my long, down coat that I love so much. Now I am feeling much better.