whew!

so i've been ridiculously busy lately. but in a good way! lots of guests back-to-back-to-back-to-back. it gets tiring, but it sure is fun to have their company. plus, when folks come from the states, i get presents like these:

it's funny the things we take for granted in the states but can't find to save our lives here in japan. if any of y'all need christmas gift ideas for me, any of the above will suffice :-).

speaking of gifts, it's that time of the year again. even with all of the crazy christmas decorations in japan, it's a bit depressing as to how few people celebrate it (i actually have to work christmas day). i can't believe that christmas eve is only one week away! speaking of christmas day, my aunt signed me up to be in a christmas play...yes, a christmas play. i have one week to memorize all of my lines for "shepard #3." great.

for fun, here's ten things on my wish list for 2006:

1) black sony mylo (japanese edition)

2) charging dock for my phone
[umm, no picture]

3) tibetan jewelry

4) cool dvd's

5) itunes and/or skype $

6) carnitas tacos

7) some type of bling watch

8) 6" premium wheat nubuck tims size 9 (cost WAY too much here)

9) the ability to learn kanji overnight

10) a christmas card

i actually already got a christmas present from my dad. seeing that it's about four billion degrees below zero in december anywhere not called california, i finally had to invest in an overcoat:

yeah it's pretty nice (wool/cashmere), but i was more amazed by the packaging it came in! so first they put it in these hanging garment bag things you should all be familiar with:

then you zip it closed:

fold over the top third:

then the bottom third:

zip up the sides:

then zip up the top:

and there's your suit/coat/whatever, all bagged up and ready for the road!

as for other useless japanese goodies to share, i couldn't pass up on this ceramic toilet-shaped astray to store my loose change:

happy holidays!!