December reflections. . .

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!! We were all surprised to see how much snow there was this week (I was very excited, others weren't so much!) Although it melted rather quickly, it made for a very pretty world of white, and. . . I think Christmas is just better with snow!

At the beginning of December, there was a baptism at the church!!! Yohei (jr. high student) and Cambria Hiebert (part of the missionary family here) took the plunge! Very exciting to hear their testimonies, and be encouraged about how God is working in their lives

Playing games together after the "Canadian Christmas Dinner" we hosted last weekend. . . interesting how quickly the salads went (as compared with meat!!), but I think everyone really enoyed it! Of course, in keeping with the theme for the night, I had to introduce them to a truly "North American" game (?!) -- spoons!! I think it was a little on the "wild" side for a few, and I hope I didn't ruin the "Canadian reputation" over here (after all, it's a pretty big responsibility!! ;-)

Food as an art. . .

It most definitely is more than just "eating" here -- the beauty, colour, shape and appearance of the (many) dishes are just as important as the taste of the food, which of course often relates to whatever is "in season" at any particular time (menus in restaurants frequently change here!)

A more traditional Japanese "set" meal.

A step up from your basic "Ichiban" or "Mr. Noodles" -- the Japanese version of "fast food". . . there are noodle shops in trains stations where you can stand as you slurp (which is polite here) down the noodles, leaving just enough time to catch your train!
Once again, the cakes are no exception to the "beauty in the details" that is prided by Japanese people. They may be small, but they look amazing!! Actually, most people here, if you ask them about Christmas, one of the first things they mention is "Christmas cake", since it's become popular to order a cake and eat it with family on December 25th.
Some squid and other seafood up for sale. . . you also often see packages like this filled with Japanese "pickles" -- NOT my favourite part of the cuisine, but they enjoy them on the side with many meals.
And, of course. . . what would Japan be without SUSHI?! Actually, these are wax models of the "lunch boxes" the store is selling inside. . . quite handy for foreigners, since at many restaurants you can decide what to order before even stepping inside the door!

These things are everywhere. . . standing out in front of some houses next to the gate. . . you are never more than 300 metres away from one. . . and at train stations sometimes you find whole rooms full of vending machines -- everything from hot (milk tea, coffee) and cold drinks (pocari sweat, calpis -- which, I happen to like by the way, even though it is, umm. . . fermented milk :-s) to ice cream, noodles, energy bars, hamburgers, and probably whatever else you can imagine. . . They even have digital displays showing beautiful Japanese cartoon women bowing in gratitude for your purchase!!

Not exactly your "traditional" Japanese cuisine, but I thought it was rather amusing how the McDonalds here are trying to portray their "healthy image". . . by comparing the amount of calories in other Japanese dishes with that a Big Mac, apple pie or fries. Guess the new "trend" to at least look healthy is universal. . . only here they've started from the other side!
A shop selling bars of jellied sweet beans -- with flavours ranging from green tea, brown sugar, "cherry blossom" (whatever that really means) and the ever popular "red bean" flavour. And, I do have to admit, once you've been here for a while, you start to crave it too. . . no longer are beans only a vegetable. . . :-)

So, everybody here thinks that. . .

. . . just because I'm from Canada, the fall leaves here must pale in comparison. . . I beg to differ -- and can you argue? Seriously, the brilliant colours covering the mountainsides, and the fact that you can find every shade from green to deep crimson on the same Japanese maple sometimes is incredible to me. I still love my Manitoba, but. . .

My parents and I spent a week travelling together, taking in some of the sights (lots of Japanese gardens -- you can't help but appreciate the Japanese attention to detail and beauty, and intensive labour!), enjoying the hot springs here (yes, the ones without bathing suits!), putting my "translation skills" to the test. . . :-s, visiting some students and friends they met last time in Osaka, including my "Japanese parents" (I'm being well "taken care of" here too!).
Some of my students felt mom and dad should get in on traditional culture and bought some 2nd hand kimonos for them (afterwards they explained that actually the one my dad is wearing is "underwear" :-b) Being a young person and teaching a high percentage of people closer to your parents' ages than your own, it's understandable they're interested in meeting those who brought such a wonderful human being into the world (that, or finding out some dirt that you'd been able to supress so well with no intereferance from the "other world" -- ie. Canada). (Actually, I do sometimes end up making "liberal generalizations" about "Canada" -- well, when they look on you as the expert, it is a pretty big boost to the self-esteem -- and was "corrected" the other day when my dad was listening in on one of my conversations -- so much for that "image". . .) Either way, we sure felt the immense kindness and warm hearts from students, as we visited together in class, and got together for a (sukiyaki) party one night.

One of the reasons I love Toyota is the fact that within a few minutes' walking disatance from my house I can find trails up into the mountains. . . you just don't get that in Osaka. So, when we hiked up to this lookout point nearby, we were rewarded with an amazing view of the area! Can't help but praise our amazing Creator! It's already the middle of December, but there are still leaves on the trees here. . . definitely makes winter feel shorter! But, I'm glad I'll at least be back to enjoy a "white Christmas" again this year. . .