Well Happy New Year’s to everyone back home. Up top is a picture of New Year morning in Kawajiri. So New Years is the granddaddy of all holidays in Japan, as I’ve had almost two weeks off work. I spent my New Years just chilling in Kure. Pete’s family came to town, so for New Year’s Eve I met up with them and Mel and Jason for dinner. As for New Year’s Day, I spent most of my time getting re-acquainted with my xbox and just lounging at home. However, I did manage to make my way out of the house and visited the local temple in town. I made a prayer at the altar, rang a bell for luck and also got free sake in a wooden cup from the local priest. The remaining time was spent cooking and cleaning around the house as Asuka was in Tokyo. (Picture below: Chirstmas eve visit to a light display with fellow JETs) 
Right after New Years, I met up with Masato and his twin brother Satoshi. Yupe, we all shuddered when we know there they could be not one, but two democrat-loving, hip-hop -dancing Americans in Kure. Luckily, Satoshi doesn’t have Masatos’ love for politics, but does share his love for J-pop and dancing. Overall, it was fun hanging out with the two of them and just meeting Masato’s twin was an experience. On the 3rd, a bunch of us made our way to Kure and went to the newly opened Onsen. I went there once before when my sister was here, and its one kickass facility. We had a nice soak in the Onsen and then we grabbed dinner in Kure. The twins also crashed at my place for the night and the next morning we went in Hiroshima together and met up with another JET from Vancouver. We grabbed lunch and then went to the game center in Hiroshima. (Picture of the twins, Jennifer and Andy- both from Vancouver)
As for the rest of the week I’ve just typing up the rest of this blog. Sorry for the procrastination as I’ve really taken my time posting and finishing up the stuff I had typed. I really had no excuse as I didn’t have much to do at home. But here is pretty much what I’ve been up to the past month. School starts on Tuesday and this is a pretty short semester, as it finishes in the middle of March. So this is my last two months with my grade 3’s in High school, then a new year begins in April and student from my elementary schools graduate to Grade 1 in Junior High School. (Picture below: A typical New Year's card in Japan- a picture of my teacher's son)
As for my Japanese factoid #15, let me tell you about New Years in Japan. So New Years in North America is typically a drunken brouhaha right? Well in Japan, New years is one of the biggest holidays out there and is almost always spent with family, similar in many ways to Chinese New Year. Well there are usually lots of shrine visits where everyone makes their prayers for good heath and luck for the upcoming year. Family is a big component as almost everyone returns home to spend time with family and New Year’s Eve is spent eating noodles at home. You also send out mountains of New Year cards to all your family and friends. You can buy these basic prepaid postages cards at stores or get custom made ones. I got a few for some teachers. There are also a ton of other traditions like eating "omochi"- rice pounded until its super soft and doughy and you also say set phrases to people you meet once the new years starts. So eveytime i've seen a teacher for the first time this year i've had to say "Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu" and then "Kotoshi mo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu." The teacher repeats the same setences and then we bow. It takes a bit of time to do and like the rest of the Japanese language, its lengthy and full of formailty. But you're basically just wishing them a Happy New Year. I must say its a hell of a lot eaiser in english.
