Hello!

My winter holiday in Japan was not disappointing at all. Christmas and New Years are very different here. Christmas Day is not actually celebrated in Japan. Instead people eat Christmas cake on Christmas Eve. My host mom Made the cutest cake! It was delicious.

New Years Eve and New Years Day are also different in Japan. On New Years Eve there is a special countdown much like the ones in Canada with a live concert. The concert consists of a balance of new music and new artists as well as old and more traditional ones. Once the countdown is over everyone goes straight to bed because the real celebration is on New Years Day. One New Years Day, everyone in the family gathers around for a special "brunch". There was so much food! After brunch we went to the small temple. It was a very interesting and different experience. I got to make a wish and shake a big rope with bells on it. I also got a slip of paper with my fortune on it.

Another highlight of the winter holiday was that i got to see my host sister and her boyfriend who both live in Osaka. We had a great night. We went bowling and took purikura (a Japanese photo booth) and played in the arcade!

I also enjoyed skiing with my host family!!! TWICE! It was so much fun! I cant wait to go again.