Can you read science fiction and fantasy in English? Here are some stories! narrativepriorities.tumblr.c…

I just learned that in Japanese, manifest(ation) can mean protest/demonstration, same as in French. It doesn't have that meaning in English.

Winter light shows (illuminations) aren't common in the US, but I just went to a great one in Albuquerque! google.com/search?q=river+of…

Christmas Day restaurant search message: ow.ly/i/84h6M

If you look at Yelp (like Tabelog) today, you'll see this warning. Many restaurants are closed or have short hours on Christmas Day!

@emaruko I suppose I would still consider it a modern cultural event. :)

@emaruko I guess you could say it's part of Japan's changing culture. After all, Japan invented a lot of its Xmas traditions :)

@arrietty2004 How nice!

If you have to go out for Christmas dinner in the US, some Chinese restaurants are usually open. My parents sometimes do that.

On Christmas Day, we'll have a nice dinner at home. (Nearly all restaurants are closed on Christmas Day in the US.)

I'm with my husband's family. None of us are religious, but we enjoy celebrating Christmas as a cultural holiday.

Is it Christmas in your time zone? Merry Christmas, or happy holidays! It's Christmas Eve here.

I'm getting ready for some winter holiday travel! It's time to say goodbye to my students tomorrow. How are you?

Kids are coming to my house now for trick-or-treating. I'm giving them candy, Halloween pencils, and creepy-cute mini-comics. :)

@SookTweets That's right, the sun seems to be lower in the sky. :) Just last week, it finally started to feel like fall here!

Do you like to cook or read recipes? Here's an amazing new free collection from the New York Times: cooking.nytimes.com/ #twinglish

September 23rd is the Autumnal Equinox (1st day of autumn). Google has a special "Google doodle" for it, but it doesn't feel like fall here.

How is everyone? I've been so busy since I moved! I've been teaching a lot recently, too. Still updating Readable Blog on Facebook, though!

Very challenging, advanced English listening: soundcloud.com/nightvaleradi… drabblecast.org escapepod.org/ (All free!)