I ate octopus. and I liked it.

mmm...

The biggest tree in the world

This is for JJ :)

It has been an insane week.

Monday-Wednesday were business as usual (bonus: Wednesday I got to see the Kindergarten Christmas concert :D), but Thursday I got to go to Universal Studios Japan with 4 other American high school students. It was great, given it was a rainy day and that kept most of the crowds away. There is nothing more amusing than seeing the Terminator 3-D with Japanese voice overs. I felt like a kid again, blowing money on caramel corn and roller coasters. And it was neat to be surrounded by a merged American-Japanese world. Sites that I recognize, but with the obvious Japanese flare. Like Hello Kitty walking around instead of Mickey Mouse. We fortunately came during the Christmas season, so I was treated to English carols, dancing snowmen, and even an Elvis-impersonating Rudolph.

On Friday I hosted a Takoyaki party in my apartment. FINALLY I got to have the girls over to just hang out. It was great. I dreaded the whole eating deep fried octopus tentacles...but I will admit that I loved it. It might even be my favorite Japanese food so far. Erika, Sayaka, Keiko, Miki, and Yuchi took care of everything and tried teaching me how to fry and roll the balls. I failed miserably, but had fun doing it. They also had the chance to talk to Brian (and JJ) via Skype for a little bit. It was great seeing the girls as friends rather than students, and I hope they felt the same way.

This upcoming week is going to be insane. I will be attending who knows how many Christmas parties, finishing up classes for the year, finishing Thailand plans with Kelly, and then flying to toasty Bangkok on Saturday. We will be back in time to spend New Year's Eve here in Osaka and hopefully take part in some local celebrations. I am homesick, yes. What I wouldn't do for some Hooker/Nobles baked goods, putting thousands of Christmas cards in students' mailboxes, and helping decorate the Christmas tree. But since I can't be there, I wouldn't rather be anywhere else but here. I am kept busy and I am having a great time teaching my students and friends about my traditions for a change. It's not half bad.