Sunday, December 31, 2006

Goodbye 2006!

It's the last day of year 2006!
I started the day going to hair salon with Baabaa--my mom in law. Everyone were asking me where will I go or spend my New Year. Sorry folks... my family and I are not set to go to Disney, onsen or abroad this year... we need to stay at home coz my daughter Sachan is still in the mid of her entrance exam review for college! All I wish and pray now is--- I hope she pass her exam with flying colors!
I visited in Shizuoka Jonai Catholic Church and I found this nativity scene.
Then... with my family... we went to buy flowers and went to visit the grave of Jiiji--my late father in law.
Afterwards, we had lunch together and had some shopping needed for New Year celebration like the traditional decorations for New Year.
We hardly had time to look for kagami-mochi. We went around the city but it was all sold out! Lucky me... I still got some at Parche and I also bought flower decors for New Year... instead of Kadomatsu- a pine decoration.

KAGAMI MOCHI is formed from two round cakes of mochi or rice cakes with a daidai (bitter orange) placed on top. The name of the daidai is supposed to be auspicious since it means "several generations".

TOSHIKOSHI SOBA or buckwheat noodles which symbolize longevity are being served on New Years eve.

At night, before the OMISOKA or New Years eve here in Japan, we ate toshikoshi soba or buckwheat noodles that symbolize long life.
Now...while blogging... I am watching Kohaku Uta Gassen, a popular musical program on tv featuring Japanese pop and enka singers. It's nice to see Imai Miki... she sung my old fave song, Pride... ohhh, NATSUKASHII!

The Wat, singing 5 センチ at Kohaku Uta Gassen

After this... I will still stay up till midnight to listen to the 108 chimes of a nearby temple gong or perhaps ... I'll just watch it on tv .
According to Japanese belief, the 108 chimes called Joya-no-kane, rings out the old year and rings in the New Year. It is supposed to release people from the 108 worldly sins.
Well... that's how the Japanese celebrates their New Year... and so, wherever we are... however we celebrate our New Year... I know... most of you out there are now waiting for the countdown for the year 2007... and the fireworks are all standby with lots of champagne, foods and music ... be sure to welcome the New Year with full of joy and free of stress... and yes... PEACE to all!
Thank you so much 2006 and welcome to 2007 ...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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♪ Auld Lang Syne


Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

***The song, "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

9 comments:

  1. Before 2006 ends, i thank all d good people like U who made d passing year beutiful for me... I pray u b blessed w/ another fruitful year! Happy New Year!

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  2. A relaxed mind, joyful spirit, healthy body, loving heart, & answered prayers. These r my wishes 4 u & ur family ds season! HAPI NEW YEAR!!!

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  3. Wish u & ur family all treasures of New Year- the warmth of love & joy of family, the company of friends & the grace of our Lord!

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  4. ...ate happy new year 2 all po..i love u ate..mwah.

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  5. FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE, THE GIFT OF GENUINE PEOPLE IS ONE OF GOD'S SPECIALS. THANK YOU FOR BEING ONE OF MY VALUABLE GIFTS. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  6. FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE, THE GIFT OF GENUINE PEOPLE IS ONE OF GOD'S SPECIALS. THANK YOU FOR BEING ONE OF MY VALUABLE GIFTS. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  7. あけましておめでとうございます。
    今年もよろしくおねがいします。

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  8. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    luv, neri
    God bless!

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  9. HOPE THAT THIS YEAR WILL B A HEALTHY(θзθ)YEAR 4 BOTH OF US, SO 2 OUR FAMILY.

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