(Sung to the tune of the original song)       
                   On the first day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             A copy of the EPH
                   On the second day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Two welcome parties
                   On the third day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             A three page JALT report
                   On the fourth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Four directors calling
                   On the fifth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Five unpaid training days!
                   On the sixth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             A six page report on training
                   On the seventh day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Seven Rhythm Training CD’s
                   On the eighth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Eight days of Team Teaching
                   On the ninth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Nine engineers working too much OT
                        On the tenth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Ten nihongo lessons with Mrs. Hanaki
                   On the eleventh day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Eleven Ryoba discount tickets
                   On the twelfth day of Christmas FIA gave to me,
                             Another twelve months in Y-City.

by Kris Kringle

What was your first impression when flying over Japan into Narita airport?
            Green and bumpy, kinda like broccoli.

What’s your favorite Japanese word(s)?
Gomen nasai and Wakaranai, usually used simultaneously in most any conversation with a Japanese person.

Favorite expression?
Hisashiburi goki buri, though no Japanese people actually ever say this.

Favorite food?
Anything niku.  No big surprise here.

Least favorite food?
Uni.  Hate it with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns.  It’s just not right.

Who is your favorite actor or talentos?
Talento is definitely Waka Inoue.  She’s got lips like large silky pillows.  As for actors, that would be Ken Watanabe and Ken Takakura.

Where is your favorite place in Japan?
There are more than one.  Nagasaki and Miyajima top the list though.  Nagasaki because it’s such a beautiful city with lots of places to sit and relax while  enjoying the scenery.  Miyajima in the fall with the deer and maple tree leaves changing colors is something worth seeing.

What is your most surprising favorite Japanese food?
This is a tie between Natto pizza and Basashi.  I have to say I am more surprised with the Natto pizza choice.  After all Basashi is niku, be it raw and HORSE.

What is something you wish you would have done?
Met Waka Inoue is first on the list.  Actually, one thing is not making it to Okinawa to visit the new aquarium there.  And a whole lot more…..

And finally, what’s your most embarrassing moment in Japan?
Every time I step out of my front door.

by Lar