It's nearly Christmas in Japan

Presents came in the mail today, including cookies, clothing and a, uh, a chicken. The weirdest part about it wasn't the fact that a chicken came through the mail, but that my host mom actually called it. She was holding a big box and I asked her if it was a present, and she said, "Yes. Probably chicken," opened it up and BAM, chicken.

Today was the first day of break, and I did nothing, which was nice. For the past two weeks or so, I haven't had a day like that, so it was good to just sit around. However, my delicious red bean paste bun was stolen by the small yappy-type dog at breakfast, and then he bit me afterwards, just to be a dick about it. The worst part about it is that I can't do anything to get back at him. It's not like I can be all "WELL YOU'RE FAT" or "YOU GREEDY LITTLE PIG-DOG I HOPE YOU GET INDIGESTION" because he's a dog and can't understand English. At least I can spread the word that he's a little porker all over the internet, and really needs to lose weight.

Seriously. I think he's like 17 kilos when he's only supposed to weigh 12. He's a pudgy little sausage dog. My host parents have just recently started him on some diet food because he is SO FAT.

Also last weekend the Rotary club threw a Christmas party for the exchange students and past exchange students. It was at Huis Ten Bosch (again) and we hung out there for a little while afterwards. They had a bunch of lights up for Christmas, and we happened to catch the lighting ceremony, which involved a bunch of elves, gospel singers from NYC, and some lady singing Silent Night.

The party and all was fun, but they kind of dropped a big disappointment bomb on us while we were there. Apparently the Rotary exchange students won't be meeting again for a Rotary thing for another 5 MONTHS. That is ridiculous. Back at home, the Rotary students met almost once every month. Even after we meet next, there's no saying if we'll have any other meeting afterwards. Probably not, because the next time we meet is pretty much the last month of our stay. BUMMER. Also, it was revealed to us that they hadn't really planned to bring us to meet other exchange students in other districts, like they do pretty much everywhere else in the world. I don't think they've totally got the whole "socializing" thing down here in Japan.

But anyway
I'll leave you on a good note
I'll leave you with a photo of me looking like a TOTAL STUD



UPDATE: Apparently the presents were end-of-the-year presents, not Christmas presents. Also we ate the chicken and it was delicious.