Greg the Christmas Bush

So, this past Saturday my friend Kelly (the cute blonde featured above) took it upon herself to cook us homesick foreigners a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Now, while the turkey decided not to thaw in time for dinner, we still had a feast of lasagna, potatoes, stuffing, deviled eggs, salad, and of course my personal favorite PUMPKIN PIE! After a delicious home cooked feast I looked over at Greg, patted my stomach, and tried out my new favorite Japanese word, "O-I-SHI!" which means delicious. He smiled, swallowed his last bite of pie and said, "hey girl, how was your day?"

(this is best friend Greg and I at a bar in Osaka. We get along because we have curly hair. Plus, Greg is Jewish, and everyone in the country thinks I am Jewish.)

Now, quite frankly, my day had been fabulous. While helping Kelly do a little Thanksgiving shopping, I stumbled upon a 500 Yen Christmas tree and 100 Yen Christmas ornaments! I found some 900 Yen Christmas lights, and I was in business! Thrilled to put a tree together for less than 20 bucks, I described my purchases to Greg in animated detail. He was happy for me and asked, "Wow, that sounds great, what are you going to name it?" Greg has now known me long enough to know that I name almost every inanimate object I come in contact with. I replied, "Well, since my tree is only about 90 centimeters tall, I think I'm just going to call it my Christmas Bush."

Greg about spit tea all over my sweater. Now to spare all my family members reading this blog, let's just say I meant Christmas Bush in an innocent sense. like something  you'd find in nature. Greg interpreted  Christmas Bush in a slightly less innocent sense. Actually, a not at all innocent sense. He meant it in more of a porno sense. Sorry, guess that's not sparing anyone. Of course, my comment made it around to everyone else at the table, and I turned different shades of scarlet as people around me burst into giggles and said:

"DOES YOUR CHRISTMAS BUSH HAVE LIGHTS?"

"HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRIM YOUR CHRISTMAS BUSH?"

"HOW DO YOU HANG ORNAMENTS ON YOUR CHRISTMAS BUSH?"

"WHAT KIND OF PRESENTS DO YOU KEEP UNDER YOUR CHRISTMAS BUSH?" 

I told them all to get their dirty minds out of the gutter, Greg told me to stop saying "Christmas Bush" and rename my tree. So I named it Greg. Greg the Christmas Bush. And after I came home, 5 shades of red and full of pie, I watched "Home Alone" and decorated my tree. 

Check it out! 

Now, I accidentally bought strobing Christmas lights. It's pretty, but slightly distracting. When I told Winston my tree was going to give me a seizure, he told me me not to exaggerate. Alas, he's far more reasonable than I at times. It takes a very patient man to handle the outlandish claims I made on a daily basis. 

And while my little Christmas corner is looking a little bare at the moment, but when Winston comes he's going to bring stockings, and I'll have some presents under there soon =0) 

So, now that Thanksgiving is over it's officially acceptable to blare Christmas music, watch Christmas movies, and begin Christmas shopping!

Happy Holidays everyone!