oh no worries - I was just confused - LOL! it would be nice if you could get away and visit Japan, and maybe you can go to China too? or would there not be time?

yes, borrowing and making it their own is Japan's way. we learned that when I came over here for the JET Programme. Masahiko (my husband) criticizes the importance that this country places on anything American though. Japanese love American movies and American culture, and Japan's media is very deferential to America. I could go on and on...

we do lots of wearing more clothes to stay warm - but thankfully it's not been so cold the last week.