Again, another long over due update to MY LIFE AND TIMES…  As I always do when someone comes to Japan to visit me, I like to write a special thank-you blog to them… and this one goes out to my good friend Lob from Portland, Oregon who came to Japan for 3-weeks in December through the New Year to visit!..  In that time in December, Lob arrived during Bon-enkai season, a Japanese tradition in which co-workers, friends, and various associations celebrate the end of the year by having a party.  Lucky for Lob, he was able to experience this tradition first-hand by attending a few of my class Bon-enkais..  Although his visit was months ago, the memory of his trip lives strong through conversations with my students who from time to time ask, how’s Lob doing…  Lob and I spent several days in Tokushima and Osaka, while also visiting Kobe and Kyoto!  Going out in Kobe and ringing in the New Year in Osaka was by far the highlight!  The low-light was Lob’s vegetarian diet he started 2-months before coming to Japan, in Japanese they have have a word for that, “mendokusai” – look it up!…  Thanks Lob for making the trip!   

                    Dontonbori Bridge in Osaka