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!!!

♪ 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."

Preparations for the New Year!

It's freezing today! But wait... ilang tulog na lang and 2006's will be gone! I hate to say goodbye to year 2006 becoz I had so many good memories from it... but time passes by... and 2007's right there waiting for us ! So, I'll go ahead with hope to bring in moments of joy that will last forever !
So, go ahead friends... the New Year's right there waitin` for us with all new tempting promises. Let's grab it and let go of the past. This is our year – let's rock it!

Ok... gonna go now, actually, I am not yet through making my NENGAJO or New Years card!
I finished all the layouts and addresses at the computer and now I need to print them all and write some personal messages...
Then tomorrow... I probably start my general cleaning in my house... yes... I need to becoz it's one of the New Year traditions here in Japan in order to purify the home and make it fresh for the coming year.
After lunch... I might drop by to Parche market with my family to buy some stuff for OSEICHI RYOURI-- special dishes for New Year!
It seems... I'll gonna spin like a top tomorrow! GANBARIMASU!

Lucky: Com'on... do your thing and don't disturb my nap...ohhh...it's really freezing...

(photo by Sachan)

Take Five- Philippines recording

For this year... it's my last day recording yesterday at FM-Hi! and SAME radio program, TAKE FIVE-- Philippines. I fade goodbye to year 2006 already with my co-emcees, Liza and Belinda... sad to say Chat didn't make it at the radio recording yesterday. Our program will proceed next year-- on January 10, Wednesday! Listen to it! If you can't listen to the radio... you can try to our voice blog, too! After the recording, we went to Karaoke for our BONENKAI. Chat arrived there with cutie cute Yu chan. Our friend--Reyma also joined us. To all the staff of Take Five, Philippines... and to our director, Yauchi kun... OTSUKARESAMA DESHITA... let's do our best again next year p(^-^)q YOI OTOSHI WO!

Celebration of merry Christmas!

Christmas is not a holiday here in Japan... so it is an ordinary busy working Monday today!
At night... I went out with friends... mostly from Philippine NAKAMA and we had this gathering for Christmas celebration, Bonenkai and Elizabeth's bday celebration.
We gathered first in a Pinoy restaurant... at Tambayan. We had our yummy Pinoy Christmas dinner together...and it was surprising that many friends joined us even though we only planned this party two days ago.
Afterwards... the party won't be complete with chatting and eating only soooooo... after the first party... we went to Kentos Live House for another round of party! We enjoyed dancing and drinking ...well ... that was a merry Christmas celebration... Happy holidays everyone!!!
For more photos, click HERE

Relatives!

"Baton touch"!

Christmas eve at home

Christmas Eve
The candles glow with warm soft light,

The nativity is very real tonight;

Wrapped gifts are the children's surprise,

Excitement will fill all their eyes.

It's quiet now and peaceful, too,

This is Christmas through and through;

This is Christmas, my time for me,

As I set and gaze upon the tree.

On this night, peace and love abound,

Soft sweet carols are the only sound;

My heart overflows for this night's cause,

And I smile thinking of ole Santa Claus.

I celebrate the birth of our Lord,

I glance to see the wreath on the door;

I smile for tonight I know why I'm here,

To share peace and joy and tidings of cheer.
~Sandra Oidtman ~

♪Oh holy night, the star are brightly shining...it is the night of our dear Saviours birth♪ hmmmmmm... I missed the caroling in the Philippines!

'know what? we already had our Christmas eve meal ...two hours before the Christmas eve! After that... my husband and I gave our presents to our daughter--Sachan... Then, phoned to Emily and family in Philippines... replied to my never ending Christmas greeting texts ... and phone calls... ohhh wow... i'm touched to this guys who remember me... and not knowing... it's almost 3 am already... hey! gonna go now... wishing you all a happy Christmas! (^3^)---☆

something missing though... 'do miss the real spirit of Christmas...

Thanks for the gifts we received from our thoughtful buddies... alleluyah!!!

Lucky: Do you have something for me... aside from this container of Kentucky set? Hey...hey...hey... 'count on meeeeeee!!!

Our Christmas meal...a Kentucky Christmas set, Chocolate Christmas cake and my hocus focus pancit canton...

pahabol extra good news!... i would like to congratulate my sweetie friend... Pamela who gave birth today to a baby boy named YUURI! Yeeeeehhheeeeeyy!!! What a nice Christmas presents di ba? A baby on Christmas eve... See you around... Pamela and congrats to your hubs and the rest of the family too!

BONENKAI 2006

It's BONENKAI season! BONENKAI is a year-end party here in Japan. It is a gathering of work associates, classmates, hobby clubs, volunteer groups, close friends or even families and relatives that usually held in restaurants or Izakaya. This is a kind of party to eat, drink and chat until you want to explode! Just too bad for me... coz I never drink!
Well... this event is the opportunity to look back on the year's happenings and event, forget all the woes and troubles... and look forward to the coming of a bright New Year!
I had been attending some BONENKAI lately... including SAME's BONENKAI with the International Division group of City Hall. I enjoyed our NIJIKAI (a party after a party!) at the Karaoke... wherein I noticed later that my associates were all WAKAMONO (youngsters)! Oh yeah... they are young ones... I was young once! LOL!

Again...this afternoon... I had BONENKAI with my Basic English Class at Voile d'ete. I love this group... they're like my mothers and sisters. We missed Kurosawa san who had a hectic sched during this season.

We shared a great lunch over a lively conversations!

By the way... a happy birthday greetings to Uno san who celebrated her birthday yesterday and Yoshinaga san on the day after tomorrow!

Have a great New Year!

Christmas Party 2006

Congratulations to our voluntary group, the Philippine NAKAMA for having a great Christmas party today! The annual Christmas Party was held this year at Yayoi Hall of Coupole KAIKAN.
Two days before the main event, the tickets were sold-out! Yet, on the party... many guest without reservations were keep on coming!
No wonder how Liza and Olivia gonna wear a troubled look this weekend for their final accounting!
Anyway... the party was a blast although it took more than 3 hours this time wherein we cancelled some of the features in the program to give way for the UTAWIT Audition in Shizuoka. That was quite a good experience for all of us especially for all our inspiring and talented singers. Out of 7, three contestant were chosen. I congratulate uncle Jo, Monaliza and Vida who qualified for the Semi-finals of UTAWIT 2007 to be held in Tokyo. I've heard from Amie and Liza that we should plan to go with them in Tokyo as cheerers! Paano ba 'yan Sarah!
Salute to Precy, Reyma, Aji and Christian for being a good sport to join the audition... I like all your guts!
By the way... I want to extend my thanks to the UTAWIT Executive Committee who joined us all the way from Tokyo headed by Sir Labbat-- Rey Conferido of Philippine Embassy, Irene Kaneko, publisher of Jeepney Press and the rest of the committee-- Arlene Dinglasang, Beth Ibay, Mari Watanabe and Olive Akatsu. 'hoping you all had a good time!
To all our co-NAKAMA, volunteers, guests, sponsors, friends and families who helped and supported the event... ARIGATOU! You all made the party a success!
Well... for more details and photos kindly ... click here!

Thank you all for coming!

The UTAWIT Audition in Shizuoka-- with the judges, contestants and emcees

mother and daughter!

Merry Christmas from Japan!

Sachan and my gifts shared to the party!

To the Philippine NAKAMA group... may we find time to reflect and rejoice in the true meaning of Christmas! Bless you all with peace this Christmas!

If you all have a chance... come and join us on Christmas night at Kentos Live House! Di ba... Elizabeth?! Happy birthday!!!

Philippine Culture Class

I was one of the foreign lecturer invited by EGG-- a voluntary group for international understanding-- to teach about the Philippine cultures today at Anzai Elementary School in Aoi District.

I was assigned to teach the grade 5 class. The class went pretty well. They seem amused to Philippine costumes, enjoyed playing Jack stones and loved the Philippine snacks I brought for them like chippy and fish crackers.

I am thankful to EGG staff and my facilitator, Kaneyama san who picked me up and drived me back home. She trully helped and supported me a lot that made our class smooth and convincing!

The classroom

Philippine costumes demonstrations

The class

Kids practising how to play Jack's Stone.

The kid who won the Jack Stone competition! He played up to two rounds. Quite amusing for someone who had no experience and only practice playing the stuff in less than 5 minutes.

Kids demonstrating the preparation of Japanese tea.

My co-lecturer from Brazil, Korea and Belgium and the EGG facilitators with observer from Romania.

Till we meet again!

Congrats to Yamada san and Oishi san!

Another staff from SAME got married... she's no other than the cheerful Yamada san! Congratulations to Yamada san and Oishi san on their wedding today. They exchanged their wedding vows this morning at Sengen Shrine.
I guess... I was lucky enough to be invited to their wedding party held at KENTOS Live House. That was one of the unique wedding party I have attended. There's a heavy metal band... I've heard that the groom likes it... and a band for oldies but groovies sounds! That was cool... we did have fun dancing around! The party was a blast!
To the newly wed... wishing you both a lifetime of togetherness!

Some of SAME staff with the lovely bride... Yamada san.
Pretty in pink!

Two hearts beat as one... the newly wed

they're enjoying...!

...we're enjoying!

Interview time from the band performers

... they match well!

Scene stealer of the night... guess who?!

17th Aoba Symbol Road Illuminations

Aoba Symbol Road in Aoi District, Shizuoka City is decorated by colorful holiday illuminations. The illuminations theme for this year is "love, enjoy and dream".
The light up continues up to mid- February. Don't miss it!

...with the giant Christmas tree at the center

... palm trees, whales, flower lights

Star lanterns

Shaped-lanterns

White lights angels

Happy Wedding... Ito san & Ishiguro san!

Finally... Ito san, one of our cute staff at SAME (Shizuoka City Association for Multicultural Exchange) exchanged vows with her fiance, Ishiguro san this morning. It was a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony held in Sengen Shrine and a reception was followed with their close-knit family.

At night, the newly wed had a wedding party for their friends and colleagues... and I am happy to be invited!!!

Ito san, the bride was really beautiful and stunning to her white wedding gown and her white roses wedding bouguet matched to her hairdo...while Ishiguro san the groom, was so refined to his tux!

The party was an intimate atmosphere, relax and was fun!

We enjoyed the ice breaking, games, foods, drinks and more... the tradition on tossing the wedding bouguet was quite unique. The bride did not throw her bouquet into the crowd, instead... we all did a JANKEN game (jack en poy- for Pinoys or rock, paper, scissor game- in English)! Well, needless to say... we had a great time!

There is a common saying in the Philippines that if the couples have resemblance, they have a possiblility for a happy marriage. I tell you guys this couple have resemblance especially when Ito san is wearing her eyeglass. No wonder why they end up taking a wedding vow!

To Ishiguro san and Ito san... Congrats to your wedding... wishing you both an everlasting love and happiness!

The bride and groom!

The wedding party was held at Neil in Shizuoka Citio Hotel
... with the lovely bride!

The newly wed with SAME staff!

... with SAME staff!