Holiday Party.

I want to show some love for the fabulous men and women that make up the English classes that T and I teach.

I mean look at these faces:

How could not love them??

I've talked about them many,many times (here, here, and here).
They are family here in Japan. For a year and 1/2 they have been my Japanese Mothers, Brothers, and Sisters.

Life has a way of bringing people into our lives..
I can't even tell you how many times I've wanted to [suspend time] & soak up the bond I have with these people. Just for a moment. Take it all in.

Love transcends cultures, beliefs, and language. 

The party was a cross-cultural feast. We had a table full of Japanese home-made goodness.
I know my palate has been transformed when I can pick up a pickled-burdock-root and think...
Mmm. Not.half.bad.
And I know my food cravings have transformed when comfort food switches from pasta to white sticky rice.
T and I supplied the Christmas Cookies and some appetizers.
This year we did a Secret-Santa-Exchange. Which was a blast!
I'm particularly pleased with how everyone actually kept their secret!! :)
We laughed, chatted, played games, had some wine, chatted some more, and laughed (and laughed a little more).

Momo was the life of the party. She performed a hip-hop performance. Ummm. Incredible! No Joke this kid could out dance me any day of the week. She also brought along this box & it was full of mis-matched playing cards. Kids really do find joy in even the simplist of things.
Aka? Kuro? Ju? Go?

Can you find the card?

Her and her Grandmother, Miki-chan, are so darn cute!

Just take a look:

You know it was good party when you crash from exhaustion and fun!
Not an alcohol-hangover. It's a holiday-party-hangover.
What a great way to end the year. I am SO looking forward to the next one with them!

 

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family:
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, [wherever you are], you need one."

-Jane Howard-