Happy X-Mas!

In case I don't get around to writing something substantial in the next few days (I know, I suck!), I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! It's definitely a little strange being so far away from home this time of year, especially since the Japanese take on Christmas is decidedly different from what I'm used to (no snow, no turkey, no Jesus, no holiday!!!). Nonetheless, I've got some plans with some friends to go to church, eat a lot of candy, open presents under a 2 1/2 foot fake plastic tree, and generally make the most of the day.

As my Christmas gift to any of you who love great music (come on, who doesn't love great music?), I'd invite you to navigate over to http://www.asthmatickitty.com/suf_xmas/suf_xmas.php . One of my greatest joys this year was discovering the work of Sufjan Stevens, a crazily talented independent singer-songwriter from the States. This Christmas he's released a set of 5 Christmas EP's he's recorded over the past few years and they're quite simply astonishing. Check out especially O Holy Night on disc 3 and Holy, Holy, Holy on disc 5.

I love and miss everyone in New Hamburg, Waterloo and Halifax very much. Although I'm very happy here in Tokyo, I'm certainly looking forward to being back home for a Canadian Christmas next year!