O-Shogatsu! or Happy New Year!

Our lonely apartment  (we're bottom left)  We're the only ones here on New Year's week.

Across the street is a couple about our age.  Their son's car was there most of the week.

New's Year's is the biggest holiday of the year in Japan.  They know about Christmas, and I think celebrate it somewhat, but everyone celebrates O-Shogatsu.  It is a family time.  Children make a pilgrimage from wherever they are to spend O-Shagatsu with their parents, if possible.  We live in a four-plex.  All three of the other residents are young adults.  We were the only ones here all week.  Our across the street neighbors- about our age had their son there most of the week. 

We traditionally make aebelskivers on New Year's, but this year we didn't have the special pan, so made French toast instead. 

We spent a lot of the day trying to figure out how to make filling for the cream puffs we were making to take to a New Year's Party that evening.  I purchased a custard pudding mix, but couldn't read the kanji/hiragana/katakana instructions.  Ken worked tirelessly trying to read them.  With his reading and my cooking knowledge we made something that worked.  I'm not sure if it was right, but it worked!  Shopping and cooking in Japan is a challenge.  I made frosting for the cream puffs, only to find I had made it with corn starch instead of powdered sugar!  That went in the garbage and I tried again.

Cooking the custard in our tiny kitchen

Traditionally, Japanese people go to a shrine to pray on New Year's.  We went to witness it at Tsuruoka Park.  There were throngs of people.

The walk to the shrine was lined with booths selling food, charms, prayers, gifts, etc.  It was much like a fair.

Candied Bananas

We didn't think it appropriate to take pictures of the shrine itself, but wanted to capture the throngs.

They tie their prayer on lines

People reading their prayers/fortunes

Tsuruoka Park is gorgeous. We took a nice walk around the mote that surrounds what used to be a castle.

Black Kites

The Partially Frozen Mote

I am amazed at what is still alive and growing when covered with snow.

We then visited a gorgeous wildlife refuge

There is a good man in our branch who also loves birds and directed us to this beautiful park.

This picture of the lake from the top of the dam

The cream puffs/ eclairs turned out great after all that!

The four elders here also came to the party.  This is a typical Japanese table- low and everyone sits on the floor on cushions around it.

Our hosts for New Year's- the Nomura's.  She is the Relief Society president in the branch.

The food was plentiful and delicious- traditional New Year's foods.

There were other guests as well.

Delicious Sashimi- Raw Fish.  There was also cooked chicken with onions. 

Sister Nomura demonstrates how to make your own sushi:  Take a piece of nori (dried seaweed) and put on some rice, then add whatever raw fish or cooked chicken and veggies and other delightful things you want and roll.  Every bit of food was consumed.

It was such a fun evening and cultural experience! 

We are loving our time in Japan.  Everything is different and backwards from what we're used to, but we are so happy to be here in this little branch.  We love the people and are keeping busy visiting and serving.  I will post more about the wonderful people and the new world we're living in.   Happy New Year!

My New Favorite Quote

This woman, Marjorie Pay Hinckley is one of my heroes.  In the MTC, they read this wonderful quote from her and it's become one of my favorites:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

See You When You're Sixty!

As Shonna and Blake left us on Sunday afternoon the day before we left on our mission, I was saying goodbye to five-year-old Caleb.  We gave each other a big hug.  I said, "I love you so much, Caleb.  I'll see you when you're seven."  His reply, "I love you, too, Grandma.  I'll see you when you're sixty!"  That is one smart kid! 

They Brushed Their Teeth and Went on a Mission

Shortly after Patty and Hal left on their last mission (they've served three together) to Germany, they graciously allowed me to stay in their home while I attended BYU Education Week.  When I went in their bathroom, what I saw made me stop short and brought tears to my eyes.  There, hanging on the edge of their sink were their toothbrushes.  The thought came, "They brushed their teeth, then went on a mission."  At the time, we were contemplating and beginning to prepare to serve a mission.  I was overwhelmed at the thought and really not sure if I could do it.  Something about seeing those toothbrushes on the sink that had been tapped and left really touched me.  It's not that hard.  You just brush your teeth and go.  Somehow that gave me courage to go forth with my own plans for a mission.  It was a hard journey- getting ready.  Satan was there at every corner and curve, putting difficulties and road blocks in the way.  At times I would despair, but then I would think of those toothbrushes and I would soldier on.  Patty and Hal's example, and their toothbrushes, gave me courage.  I've had a lot of challenging callings in my life, but never, until this one, have I felt completely overwhelmed with a calling.  This one brought me to my knees.  But those little toothbrushes really helped me. You can do it, Kay.  Just brush your teeth and go.

On the morning we left, I too brushed my teeth, tapped the brush, and left it to dry.  Then I remembered.  I had to go and get the camera and take a picture.  I too brushed my teeth and went on a mission.  Thank you, Patty and Hal!

I So Deserve This, Tom Morris

I so deserve this.  I am not a recycler at home.  Every time my brother-in-law, Tom comes to visit, he just shakes his head when I tell him we don't recycle.  I'm a bit proud and defiant about it, too.  So, Tom, you'll be happy to know that I'm finally getting my due.  I definitely recycle now.  Japan sorts and recycles EVERYTHING.  There are many different colored bags and you have to put the right items in the right bags and get them out on the right day.  It is a massive undertaking.  We have a little room just set aside for garbage.  There's no question I deserve this. 

Here is the weekly/monthly garbage schedule.

Here is the list of what goes in each colored bag.  Too bad we can't read it.  We went to a neighbor and she laughed and taught us some, but we still have a lot to learn.  I'm sure Heavenly Father witnessed my defiance and looked up which country had the most complex and difficult recycling program and that's where He sent us.  There's no question I deserve it!