A whole lot of somethin'
To everyone who reads my blog (mommy!),
Sorry my posts have been so irregular, 'tis the season for tons going on, so I have decided to officially go on vacation from blogging (living is taking up way too much time!) So before I go, a little capsule of what I have been up to...
-My kocho sensei's mother died and I went to the funeral. I learned a lot about traditional Japanese funeral etiquette - for example, when you leave the parlor, you throw salt behind you to keep the bad spirits from coming with you; also, you leave food and sake as an offering because, in buddhist tradition, the dead person walks the earth for 47 days and needs something to eat and drink.
-Today I taught about Chanukah. It was hysterical listening to all these Japanese kids talk about "Judah and the Macabees" and play dreidel. Which they loved, by the way.
-This past weekend I went to a traditional doll factory in Shibukawa, where they sell- suprise, suprise - traditional dolls. If I have time, I will post a pic of what these little wooden totems look like. I guess Gunma is famous for them, 90% of traditional dolls are made here.
-Last Friday I gave a presentation on the American Blues for about 50-60 Japanese people in Maebashi. The presentation kicked ass - I did a powerpoint pres. and included the history of the blues in the Civil War and the post-bellum South, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, and B.B. King. Afterwards a bunch of us went to Denny's - which is actually better than in the states (doesn't say much, though).
-Today is my one-year anniversary with Gary. Needless to say, I still kinda like him. ;-)
Ok, so that about sums up my life. I will spend the next week finishing up grad apps and packing to GO HOME for three weeks! YAY! Enjoy your holidays and perhaps I will see some of you soon! I will be up and posting again as of January 8, 2006!
Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year! And (Lisa, did you think I would forget?) Happy Existential Day five months too late!
Love,
Me
posted by Deb @ 10:24 AM
2 comments
