Wedding bells, erm... envelopes.

Well now, I haven't been this busy since my second-to-last quarter at UW when I was frantically and sleeplessly taking 26 credits (full load is 18 there) in order to graduate early. Things are all ready to go for Sunday, my family and best friend arrive in 4 days, and we are busy bowing and thanking people for the gift money we're receiving. People in Japan give money instead of wedding gifts. As you can see, they come in these beautiful envelopes! Although the money inside will all be spent in one day, our small mountain of the colorful, shining things somehow makes me really excited. Maybe it's because the kindness of Tomoya's neighbors, relatives, and friends of his parents will keep us out of debt ;) . The only catch is, we have to give half of it back. Huh? Yep, "it's Japanese custom". In quotes because it's a phrase that's the story of my life right now. Custom indicates that we must give a gift equal to about half the value of the money received back to each giver. I'm ecstatic, really.