It seems that even for non-ESL speakers, some of the more specific Christmas-related terminology can get mixed up occasionally.
![[Japan] Elves and Reindeer and Ducks, Oh My!](https://travel.kavp.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Ducks-reindeer-elves-670x300.png "[Japan] Elves and Reindeer and Ducks, Oh My!")
![[Japan] Taiko Performance!](https://travel.kavp.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5109596575_0ac17f5d63_o-670x300.jpg "[Japan] Taiko Performance!")
[Japan] Taiko Performance!
The second performance of my new taiko drumming group, Kawauso Daiko. Was brilliant fun!
![[Japan] Ah, the things that make translators chuckle.](https://travel.kavp.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Kikyuu-Club-Sono-Ato-353x300.jpg "[Japan] Ah, the things that make translators chuckle.")
[Japan] Ah, the things that make translators chuckle.
Sometimes I put silly place-holder words and phrases into translated texts, so that I can immediately know the literal meaning in English without having to recheck in the dictionary. I go over the text a few times, revising it until the word or phrase sounds natural and acceptable, so normally the place-holders are replaced. There are times when I grow attached to them, though!
![[Japan] So, here I am in Japan again.](https://travel.kavp.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5045266281_494d18c961_b-670x300.jpg "[Japan] So, here I am in Japan again.")
[Japan] So, here I am in Japan again.
Never thought I’d be working here again. Maybe I’ll go into more details about my ill-fated Hokkaido hotel venture at some stage. But I have to admit, so far my ridiculously low expectations about working in Japan have been surpassed…