Today is Japanese Thanksgiving Day. It’s a national holiday, but there’s not much to it — just a day off from work. So of course, I can’t complain!

Yesterday I celebrated US Thanksgiving Day by teaching all of my kids (and my manager) how to make hand-turkeys. Very few people here have seen a turkey, and the kid’s had trouble believing me that it wasn’t a chicken. Afterwards, the staff and I went out pretty spontaneously for a “Thanksgiving Day” celebration — karaoke and half-priced food until early in the morning, It was really fun, and probably as close to Thanksgiving as it can get here. Everyone insisted I stuff myself, being Thanksgiving of course, and I’m still full this morning!

Soon it will be Black Friday morning over there… ahh I will miss Black Friday. If anyone goes out, please send me some photos. And tell me what insane deals there are… just so I can taste it!

Happy Turkey Day!