The 3 F's: Food, Fun, and Family

Happy New Years, 新年開けましておめでとうございます (shinen akemashite omedetougozaimasu), and ปีใหม่มีความสุข (Sawadee pii mai krab)

So yesterday was really fun and it was cool to look into life with my Aunt and her family.  I really enjoy times where I get invited into these intimate moments with people. It is always a great feeling being invited to someone's place, having a personal meal, and a huge plus is taking lots of pictures.

Because it's New Years, especially in Japan, things are a lot different here than they are in the US.  People don't start work immediately on the 2nd day of January.  They tend to take the week off and then start on the 2nd week.  There are a lot of variety TV shows on and there are a lot of family get gatherings to have a hearty meal and enjoy company for the new year.

The meal to eat is お節料理 (Osechi-ryori) which is the traditional Japanese food. It would be prepared beforehand and than eaten during the week.  This was the main food to eat for awhile. I've been eating Osechi every day that I've been here.

The very first day I arrived I went to my oldest uncle's house and had a meal with him and his entire family.  We had a lot of food and I was struggling to stay awake. Since I just arrived to Japan and didn't sleep on the plain and getting a food coma at the same time.  It was fun, but I didn't take any pictures since I was too tired to do so.

But while eating with my Aunt's family, I was able to take pictures of seeing my cousin and his family for the first time and seeing my other's cousin and his newborn son as well.  It was very enjoyable and I was able to chat a bit with them.  (Sidenote: I'm glad to say that I am able to communicate a bit and understand like 10% of what is being said to me.)

These are the moments that motivate me to press forward.  Enjoying each other's company and just soaking it in.  It's not about the hustle and bustle. There will always be time to work and do things.  But I enjoy taking the time like this and enjoying the blessing of now. 

Here is to 2014 and what it has to offer for I am very excited to see what come this year.