Merry Christmas!!

By the time most people read this update I will be on a plane to Michigan!! I'm so excited to see my family, visit with friends, and be reunited with Clifford (my Big Red Car)! From Dec 23rd to Jan 2nd, you can reach me (call or text!) on my old work cell phone (859-757-8683) or at my parents house.

Even though Nagoya has pretty mild weather, I still manged to get into the holiday spirit. They have great light displays every where you look and stores were always playing American Christmas tunes. Here's a few of my favorite sights that I've been saving up for a special Christmas blog:

She's called the "Meitetsu Girl" and was the first thing I took a picture of when I arrived in Nagoya on Nov 6th! She's in front of the Meitetsu Department Store and Train Line that I will be taking to the airport. Her outfits get changed for each season and/or holiday. I can't wait to see her new ensemble in January :)

Japan loves cartoon characters so much that many places have their own cartoon mascots, even the city of Nagoya!! Here's Mr. & Mrs. Nagoya wishing you a Merry X'mas! Cute Asian girl driving Santa's sleigh can be found on every street corner!

Light display with special "icicle" lights that actually move to look like they are dripping!

Remember my post about the lighting of Nagoya Station? Here's the area directly underneath the giant wall of lights. It's a walkway of lights.

And, of course, you can get your picture taken with your favorite lighted cartoon character.

All Japanese characters that I'm unfamiliar with, but nonetheless entertaining!

Awesome holiday trees.

One mall (Esca) had a "Rudolph" theme!

Christmas tree at a department store... all of the ornaments are little sweaters!

This one is just plain creepy! I have no idea why that deer in the background looks so real and the cartoon reindeer has a face like a person and a dot in the middle of his forehead...

Common Japanese pork chain restaurant. They also dressed up their mascot!

Saving the best for last... There is a cool skyscraper in Nagoya that makes neat designs from their office lights. It was really tough for me to catch because in the evenings people would still be working and the wrong lights would often be on. But at 10pm or later you could get the full effect. Here's one side...

... and the other side!! It's like a work of art!! I love how they even have different colors.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I will see many of you very soon, and everyone gets a break from the blog for about 10 days :)