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Symbols of Christmasタイトルをクリックしてください

As promised, this week I will talk about a few of the symbols of Christmas that are commonly used in Japan, but perhaps not completely understood. First, Santa Claus.  He represents giving, helping and is also a symbol of God, rewarding good children with presents and punishing disobedient children with lumps of coal or switches. I was Santa Claus on Saturday at a local kindergarten.. What do you think? img_2661-1024x768 In America, Santa always gives children a candy cane.  That is our second symbol today. The candy cane represents helping those in need.Santa gives this to children to remind them that not only at Christmas time, but all year round, we must help others.                       And finally, today, the Christmas tree.  Saturday afternoon, we put up our Christmas tree.  Last year. my father passed away,  so we didn't put up a tree.  Christmas trees are "evergreens", meaning they don't lose their leaves in winter.  They are a symbol of eternal life, but I enjoy them for the beauty they bring to my living room.  Here is our tree this year. img_2666-768x1024    


The True Meaning of Christmas クリスマスの本当の意味タイトルをクリックしてください

This is a common phrase used at this time of the year in America  So many people are busy busy busy shopping, cooking, preparing, and decorating, that they don't have time to really think what Christmas  is about. I love the symbols of Christmas that remind us to help our fellow man.  To reach out to those in need.  These are good messages for everyone, Christian or not. Last week I put up two of our families nativities, one in the front entrance to my home, img_2657-1024x768 and one on our piano. img_2654-1024x768 We call these displays, nativities, or chreches.  They are displayed in many homes around America. Next week I'll talk about some other symbols of Christmas.


Black Friday?タイトルをクリックしてください

Are you getting ready for Christmas yet?  Christmas seems to come earlier in Japan than America.  In America, last Thursday was Thanksgiving.  The following Friday is traditionally the start of the Christmas season.  It's also a holiday in America, many people use it to start their Christmas shopping. The stores have their best sales of the year on this day, and it has become to be called Black Friday because of black ink, instead of red ink. I was really surprised to see Japan start to copy Black Friday.  Is this going to be a new tradition in Japan? Personally, I completely ignored Black Friday.  I did use Saturday to put away my Thanksgiving decorations and put up my Christmas lights.  Maybe I'll start a new tradition "Rainbow Saturday"  What do you think of my lights this year? img_2640-1024x768 img_2642-1024x768 It certainly looks more peaceful than this:  


It Gets Better . . . I Hope . . . よくなるよ  . . . とおもう . . .タイトルをクリックしてください

Last week was a little depressing for me.  The news of Trump's choices for various positions kept coming in day by day. But what's done is done!  It's time to move on.  Today let's learn a few phrases about optimism (楽観主義) and hope for the best! The sun will come out tomorrow.  (Watch on youtube, click here)   The glass is half full.   It could always be worse.   And finally, a short poem that my mother had on her kitchen wall, it's so true! As a rule, man's a fool! When it's hot, he wants it cool, When it's cool, he wants it hot Aways wanting what it's not, Never wanting what he's got Let's look to the future with hope . . . I hope!


Happy Halloween!タイトルをクリックしてください

Halloween seems to be getting bigger and bigger, year by year in Japan.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  This year, I'm going to show you the steps of carving a Jack O'lantern. Step 1 Buy a Pumpkin.  Usually I go to Morioka for some good pumpkins.  This year, I was surprised to find really good and inexpensive pumpkins being sold at HOMAC.  YEA!!! img_2621-768x1024 Step 2 Cut off the top  Make sure to cut an an angle so the lid doesn't fall inside.  I like the look of this zig-zag pattern. img_2622-768x1024 Step 3 Using a long spoon and a knife, remove all the seeds, and inside stuff.  Scrape the inner side until it is smooth. img_2623-768x1024 img_2624-768x1024 img_2625-1024x768 Step 4 Carve the face.  This is very important.  Use your creativity.  Anything is okay, from very simple, to works of art.  Recently, I started to carve teeth into my Jack O'lanterns.  What do you think? img_2626-1024x768 img_2627-768x1024 Step 5 Put a candle in it, and light  it. img_2628-768x1024 We put the completed Jack O'lantern in front of our house to protect us from all the evil spirits playing tricks on humans on Halloween. I hope you have a safe and fun Halloween  


I bit off more than I could chew. 噛める以上に噛んじゃった!タイトルをクリックしてください

Today's phrase is about over stepping, trying a little too hard, or not knowing your own abilities. I bit off more than I could chew. 出来る以上にやろうとした。 I hope Tokyo didn't bite off more than they could chew with the Olympics! I think Donald Trump bit off more than he could chew.  He was never prepared to be the president. I may have bitten off more than I could chew with my lawn this year . . .we'll see. And now, some illustrative pictures:   It's okay to take a big bite of English, just keep chewing and chewing and chewing.  Some day you'll be able to swallow.