So this will be my second Lent since arriving in Japan. Last year I kick started it with a pancake party at my house and this year I was keen to keep up the tradition. We had great fun, but I just wish more of my Japanese friends had been able to come. I'm sure they would have loved the tradition of eating lots of delicious pancakes, even if the concept of Lent confused them.
I've had to explain it a few times to the one of my older JTEs and breathed a genuine sigh of relief when he seemed to get it. Then the other day.....
"Toni, would you like a candy?"
"No thank you. I gave sweets up for lent (remember!?)"
"But you had one last week..."
"Yes, but it's lent now and I can't have sweets."
"Oh...." And with that he wondered away looking more confused than ever, while I banged my head against the desk.
This year, I've decided to use lent to further my health goals. I've taken up running again, as well as cutting sugar from my diet. I'd like to say that this year I succeeded in giving up Facebook, but as this is my main method of communication withy friends back home, this seemed counter-productive.
Wish me luck and have a successful lent!
