a Christmas ENKAI

An enkai is an "official" work party. Usually lasts about two hours and is either a set menu + all you can drink OR all you can eat and drink. Often hosted at the end/beginning of a school year, holiday, or a special welcome enkai for new members.

As members of the City's Board of Education, forget about any cute young single men or woman to help make your holiday merrier. These people have worked their way to the top and the youngest is over 30 and married. BEWARE: only single people at these functions are the ALTs and JALTs (assistant language teachers (foreigners) and Japanese)

We ended up going to this fancy sushi restaurant near our apartment building. Among the delicacies including puffer fish testicles. The milt was warm. I was green.

In keeping with tradition, everyone got drunk or were completely sober (Japan has a zero tolerance policy* one drink=no driving). When the food level was almost done, the traditional game of BINGO for random Christmas presents went underway. One of the BOE members purchased really fun gifts this year. Daisuke and I won at the same time and I scored the only English item on the menu:

And then, I ran away and skipped the after party. Made the excuse that I had work in the morning...actually, so did everyone else. HAPPY MONDAY!

Kindergarten

My first mention of the subject, and my third visit to such an establishment. In Japan, the school system is as follows:

Preschool/Kindergarten
Elementary 1-6 (1st - 6th grade)
Junior High School 1-3 (7th - 9th grade)
High School 1-3 (10th - 12th grade)

As an outstanding member of my community, I was chosen for a guest role in one kindergarten's Christmas festival with fellow citizens David and Daisuke. We were honored to be chosen to wake up early on our day off to bike in the brisk fresh country air to act out the role of Santa Claus and guests for a total of five minutes. (In other words, as government officials stationed at the City Board of Education, we're pretty much obligated to attend in function under the Board's jurisdiction when requested).

Of course, it was under my suggestion that David (who was a shoo-in for Santa) be accompanied by an elf (Daisuke - what a little helper) and his trusted Rudolf (I'm tan in color - what did you expect?). The woman representing the school was enthusiastic about the idea and said she would provide materials. It was our mistake really.

When she said materials, we thought she meant costumes... she meant ...materials.

What to do with a box of felt but make a costume? Daisuke and I spent the next month prepping and sewing (or in MY case, 10 hours straight because I waited until the night before and didn't get any sleep)

We made our way over to the kindergarten and snuck in during their class plays.

Then, we made our way back to the teacher's room and changed. Of course, because I made mine in a hurry I didn't measure properly and made it too big AND too small. Luckily, I managed to superglue a red pompom to my nose to be more "realistic". Sexy no?

We spoke about Christmas in the corner, with presents for each class in Santa's bag.

Then we jingled our way the heck out of there. Unfortunately, we ran into one of our students from a nearby elementary school and she could see through our facade. Hopefully, the wee ones still believe.