Christmas was a real blast. I was able to spend Christmas Eve over at the Mission Home and eat Christmas breakfast with the Mission President and his wife, which was a real treat. I was also able to talk to my family, and they are the same as usual, which was nice to know.
Time does some crazy stuff when you are on a mission. Hours last for an eternity but weeks fly by. Days drag on and suddenly months have passed. You feel like you've been out here for an eternity but you haven't even been gone 3 months. It's pretty bizarre. Turns out the rest of the world continues at a regular pace, and your family has not gone crazy without you.
Reassuring.
We taught some great lessons this week! We met someone who has been very difficult to get ahold of, but we were actually able to teach her today. She is wonderful! She's been taking the lessons for a while and told us rather frankly that she wants to get baptized and is just working towards that goal as best she can.
It was very refreshing, honestly. I know she'll get baptized, even if I'm not around for it.
Speaking of which, transfers are in 3 days. Any predictions as to whether I will stay or go? I've been in Shibuya for 2 transfers thus far, with my trainer who will die* after next transfer.
*She will go home from her mission.
I don't have a lot of time (what's new) so I just wanted to tell you a little of what we've experienced for New Year's thus far.
1. They start an "Official Non-stop party" from the 28th of December until the 3rd of January. I do not know many details about that.
2. New Years is considered a holiday from the 1st until the 3rd. Most people celebrate from the 31st to the 4th.
3. Spring Cleaning is done for New Years. EVERYONE will do it, and when they say deep they mean DEEP. The church is doing it too, and it's down to refinishing the lining around the carpets. It's INSANE, and it is pretty much impossible to schedule meetings with housewives for 2 weeks.
4. It is suggested not to do any housing during this holiday. We are still allowed to meet with investigators and members, and we can still street, but housing would be insanely rude.
5. New Years is a family holiday. Extended families will gather in their hometown and have a 3-day celebration.
So, yeah. Christmas was like another working day, but New Years is a real celebration. Happy year of the tiger!
