Merry Crimbo

Christmas! And what better than a religious holiday than an excuse for frenzied consumerism! Its a bit odd that more people know who the Spice Girls are than Jesus (and they were't even that popular here) but when I think about it, no one really gives a mincepie about the propher meaning of Christmas back home either. For most Brits it means we-hey a few days off and a bloody good excuse to get hammered and stuff your face even more than usual. For most Japanese people this is not the case but the shops are aglow with surreal "Santa-san" tacky crap. (My local, Gotcha, even has a tree that sings Xmas songs. Cringe.) But I'll take off my cynical hat for a moment and say that a bit of "good will to all" type philisophy should be welcomed...even if it does ensue chocking on your kebab flavoured vomit in the back of a police van for most xmas partiers:P
I'm off home on Wednesday and, as I assured my pal Sam on the phone last night, I plan to milk Britain till its nipples are red raw. But the mini festivities in Japan have been much fun this year- impromptu gatherings at Hannah's and mine, singing Wham and Wizzard at karaoke, some very dodgy dancing and pass the parcel at the Ajet Formal, blinding lights in Tokuyama, making xmas cards with my students (some classics included "Dont eat to much cake!" with a picture os santa vomiting blood and "have kangaroo peace" (?) Brilliant. Tis the season to indulge!