golden gaijin

last year, i didn’t really do anything special to commemorate the holidays.  i had a little yakiniku for dinner after work with a couple of friends, but that’s about it.

this year, i put up a small, fake tree because i had the sudden urge to do something festive this time around.  the ornaments, tinsel, and ribbons are strewn about and the lights are blinking at intervals that don’t seem quite normal to me.

i guess what’s looming in the back of my brain is the fact that this will be the second year without the beloved family and friends from back home – this time, however, i’ve myself to blame for that one…