2013 New Year celebration

I am slightly devastated that today was my last new year celebration in Japan.  Just 3 months after we arrived here I attended my 1st new year event and had no idea what a great time I was in for.  Last year's event was even better so I had really high hopes for this year and was not disappointed. These women work so hard to make this event enjoyable for us and I am so appreciative of their graciousness.  I love seeing them in English class each week but it's even more fun to see them outside of the classroom!

This year's Friendship Sagamihara President, Masako-san,  got the morning started

Then Mr. Juichi Ogata performed a traditional Japanese street act for us

I couldn't pick a favorite, so you get a BUNCH of photos.  This man had a small stack of bamboo pieces  that were tied together in a unique way and was manipulating them into different shapes all while singing a fun song.  

Fishing Rod

Bungalow

Bridge or Seta

Home Gate

Koinobori or Carp Streamer

Tokyo Tower

Noodle Shop Sign

The Halo of Buddha

Sailboat

and finally, a Willow Tree! 

Then he took time to teach a few of the American ladies how to make some of the shapes

I love these girls, even if they're about to take some eyes out with their fishing rods!

After the Nankin Tamasudare performance we enjoyed lunch which, as usual, was DELICIOUS!

Then it was time for my most favorite game!  The bean game!

If you read the posts from the past two years, you'll know that I am undefeated at this game!  Both years, my table has won.  This year I really wanted to win so I could leave Japan undefeated.  Unfortunately, my table lost by one single point! (Insert GIANT sad face) 

Each year the women sing for us and this year they sounded just as beautiful as they have in the past.  I think there is a secret gene that Japanese women have, they are all incredible singers!  (or maybe they just practice VERY hard)  These women have made a huge impact on my life and have blessed my time here in Japan tremendously!

I have to acknowledge Aiko-san here.  Last week in class she asked me to review her speech to make sure her English was perfect which I did.  I had no idea she was going to memorize it!  I was completely impressed.  All of the ladies did such a wonderful job with their English speaking!  All of their years of hard work definitely show.

At the end of the day we had a very special treat from Yoko-san.  She has such a wonderful voice and is a joy to listen to.

Ladies (I know some of you will read this), thank you so much for all of your hard work.  Today was perfect!  I am so grateful to each one of you for sharing your culture {and Wednesday mornings} with me!  I have no idea how I'm going to walk away from you all in 6 months when we move back to America!

New Year

New Year's is celebrated a tad differently here in Japan than it is in the States.  Us Americans are all about staying up until midnight {usually drinking and partying with friends} to ring in the new year but in Japan it's all about getting up early on New Year's Day to watch the 1st sunrise of the year with your family.  This made it very difficult to decorate for a NYE party at our house.  Thanks to the 100 yen store, I was able to whip up a few things for a great price.

homemade party hats

including a balloon drop that sort of worked out.

 I could not have asked to end the year surrounded by better people.  I'm so blessed to call these women my neighbors AND my friends!

In America, we send out cards for Christmas, here they send out New Year cards.  We received our 1st one this year from Jason's buddy Hama!

In Japan everyone starts the New Year with family and most stores/restaurants are closed.  The trains were running today but the stations were deserted!

Some friends and I headed out to a local shopping area {one of the few that were open} to participate in a "tradition" called fukubukuro.

As a way for shops to get rid of last year's merchandise, they create "lucky bags" or "mystery bags" containing items from their store.  These bags are sealed so that you cannot see its contents and sold for a substantial discount.

Kristin and I selected bags from one of my favorite shops for 3000 yen or about $40 US.  The sales lady directed us to feel each bag for weight and choose the one we wanted.  All we knew when we purchased them was the size of the items inside.

Here we all are with our purchases!

Bags come in all different sizes and are priced accordingly with smaller bags costing less than larger ones from the same store.  Bags are also priced based on the average price of things inside the store.  Some bags at high end stores sell for tens of thousands of yen.  

I came home with a bag from a stationary store for 980 yen or $12 US.

This was the contents of my bag from the clothing shop.  2 sweaters, a cardigan and 2 blouses.  Not too bad for $40!  I even got my 1st Japanese English shirt, "just a little grow"...what ever that means!

here I am modeling one of my new shirts...not sure if it's 100% my style but I'm going to try to make it work!

I also picked up a bag from the pet store.  2000 yen {$25 US} for all these treats and toys {and some puppy pads, wipes and a spray of some sort}!

It even included "suckers" for dogs!

Buster was VERY excited to try out a new snack!

I have been hearing about fukubukuro for almost 3 years now and I'm very glad I got to experience this my last New Years in Japan!

I hope the year of the Snake brings great health and happiness to all of you!

2012

According to Facebook, here are the top 20 moments of my year!

1. I changed my profile picture

2. We traveled to China

3. We traveled to Bali

 4. I went to Ishinomaki

5. Jason and I attended the MI Ball 

6.  My brother-in-law married this beautiful lady 

7.  I turned 30.

8.  I celebrated my birthday with a girls night out.

9.  We climbed Mt Fuji

10.  We paid off all our debt!

11.  We attended Bon Odori.

12.  I went to Ishinomaki for the 1st time.

13 + 14  I checked in at Cheesecake Factory...TWICE 

15.  My brother got married

16.  I ran the Warrior Dash

17.  The husband and I went for a bike ride.

18.  My momma came to visit!

19.  I went to a fertility festival.

20.  My friend Beth got married {technically in Dec 2011 but photos were posted in 2012}

I can't imagine a better year.  Next year has some very drastic changes in store for us.  I'm excited and very nervous but determined to make 2013 my best year yet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM JAPAN!