hello,
I am currently on winter break, which is about a month long.
there are 6 days before the Australians go home, and about 22 until the new ones come.
New years was supposed to be be amazing, but I just watched the TV specials with my host parents new years eve, and prayed at a temple new years day. Interesting enough.
I didn't think there would be many chances to ski this year, having no skis and all. but I've gone probably ten times now! My old host father keeps taking me, and paying for me, or paying for me to go with his 29 year old son, who I am good friends with. last time I went(yesterday) I gave his granddaughter and a boy from china (who's father is here being supported by rotary on some kind of advaaaaanced university science study thing) ski lessons for a full day, entirely in Japanese. That kind of made me feel useful, I made sure they had fun, but they both improved by then end of the day.
He also had me go for a full day lesson with him, but we were separated because of our skill levels, and I got to learn a lot more about mogul skiing and stance for it.
The powder snow here is delightful.
This same host father bought a new pair of skis and boots because his old ones were outdated, but also so that I could use that pair, but the new boots hurt him so much he has given the new set to me for the winter, they are quite light weight and good quality, and fit perfect.
I am lucky as balls in the ski department to be honest.
When we go home we each have to give a presentation on what we got out of the year other than the obvious language and cultural perspective that everyone gets, the last group did things like a martial arts demonstration, origami, the traditional twangy three string guitar and that kind of thing.
So I can show some pictures and talk about all the skiing I did, and how much I improved, and how much fun I had, and how weird it is that the ocean is rolling in at the bottom of the mountain you're skiing on.
Host dad's son wants me to go for a ski instructors license, like he has. It wouldn't count for much back in Canada, but would be fun to train for.
Instead of presents at Christmas, Japanese kids get money in envelopes at new years. I'm a little old for this tradition, but I got 20 000 yen regardless. 20 000 yen used to be 200 USD but is now some unfathomable fortune. that's good too.
I hope everyone had a good Christmas and new year, I certainly did, but it's no fun being away from family on such occasions.
I surprise myself daily with how well I'm speaking the language. I also surprise myself daily with how much worse my English is getting.
