The last month or so..

Quilting Show
I got a free ticket from my student who works for a quilt shop, so I attended the Quilt Show at Tokyo Dome (the big convention centre). Here are my favourites:

 The moon made of rabbits (from a Japanese story) and the Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland

Snow!

As you probably know, I like the snow. However, I don't like driving in it! I couldn't see the markings separating the triple-lane highway :S Anyway I made it safely in one piece!

I shivered just seeing these Junior High School students walking in -1C conditions with no tights/long skirts!!!
So when my own 13 year old Jr. High School student comes into class with red-raw knees I asked her why she (and other popsicle-legged kids I see) doesn't wear tights/trousers. The answer: it's against school rules. And because the men who establish these rules want to be able to see up these teenagers' skirts.

In Japan, it's appearance (or more specifically 'cuteness') first, health and everything else second. 

Because girls huddling together complaining loudly they're freezing is really kawaii..

Outdoorsing

Despite the freezing cold, Toshi and I drove to the countryside to cook nabe, a Japanese stew on a campfire.

A video for those of you who'd like to see me driving through a stretch that reminded me of the Welsh hills :D

Carrots, chinese cabbage, noodles, tofu and ash = yum!!

Snowboarding

I went snowboarding recently all by myself because I wanted to practice. My first snow of the year！ I have finally mastered carving (turning back and forth) (^o^)/
However, I fell pretty badly and suffered a bruised rib (--;) This made sleeping uncomfortable for a few nights, but I’m almost better now... ready to go boarding again！ (^-^;
In other news, my best friend, Jen has left Japan. Obviously I'm sad,  hope I can see her again someday, somewhere!!!


p.s. This was my first blog entry via my smart phone; apparently it doesn't allow for high quality photo uploading. Unfortunately my camera is broken.