no.2

From the end of December to the first week of January is New Year's vacation, the most important holiday of the year for most Japanese. For Takatsuki-Minami students the two week break from school was a time to go to club, see old friends, go shopping, take trips, and even occasionally study (especially third-year students, many of whom studied every day in preparation for university entrance exams). Two traditional Japanese New Year's rituals that many students took part in are "osouji" and "hatsumoude." "Osouji" means literally "big cleaning." Japanese people believe the New Year really is the start of a "new" year, so they spend the last week of December scrubbing and sweeping everything in sight, so that when January 1 rolls around their houses and possessions look spotless. "Hatsumoude" is the first shrine visit of the year, where millions flock to their local shrine and pray for happiness, health, and good test scores in the upcoming year.
While Takatsuki-Minami students were cleaning and reflecting in freezing temperatures, I was half a world away living the good life in Los Angeles, where the sun shines year round and snow is something you laugh about when you see it on TV. I took my son with me on my vacation this year, and we went to Disneyland (very nice Christmas parade and fireworks, if you ever get the chance to go), saw "The Lion King" live (fantastic costumes and one of the best plays I've ever seen), ate delicious foods (you can't beat LA for variety, and pass another slice of the pizza!), and even went to the beach. We didn't do much cleaning, and the closest we came to prayer was Kazuhiro (my son) telling Santa that he REALLY wanted Pokemon goods this year. But we did have a fantastic time, and we came back to Japan relaxed, recharged, and refreshed.
It is now the beginning of January, and the Takatsuki Minami academic year is coming to an end (the Japanese school year runs from April- March). As the wind picks up and the temperatures drop, winter vacation seems longer and longer ago. But yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and Kazu has Mickey Mouse's autograph to prove it.
A very happy New Year to all Takatsuki-Minami students, staff, or anyone else who may be reading this!
"Kotoshi mo, yoroshiku oneigaishimasu!"

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