Complicated, Food, Travel

Starting 2010 the Right Way

So I started my New Year right, I think. A New Year with a new country and new cultural experiences. Of course I have been here since March, but the reality of it all finally set in. Last post was dedicated more so to all of us just sitting down and thinking about the course of events of 2009 and what’s to come in the next year. This post will be more about those oh so fathomed experiences we get to have when living abroad.

The end of 2009, to be entirely honest, was nothing like I expected. The obvious differences in culture weren’t so boldfaced anymore. When everything is written or placed into words the perception of meaning can be twisted based upon the experiences that an individual has. Call it “Experiential Referencing.” To be frank, I knew the differences between Japan and the US but didn’t fully realize them till January 1st hit.

In the US, it’s common for families to get together for Christmas and have a huge dinner. Then come New Year’s Eve and many of us get together with friends to drink, be merry, and revel in that New Year. Here in the better part of Asia, these customs are quite contrary to our practice. Christmas is more of a hallmark holiday for Japanese people. Originally, I had the understanding it was a time for friends to have dinner or parties. It turns out that it’s more of a couple thing and friends are generally excluded. For those who are single, it could be a bit “kanashii,” or sad, if all your friends are coupled. The New Year on the other hand is often rung in by the immediate family who will eat dinner and numerous traditional foods. For example, zouni which is soup with mochi (a form of balled rice) or kuromame which is sweet soy beans. Sometimes during that first week of the year, the extended family will get together to enjoy the fact that another year is yet to come with hopes for good fortune.

Indeed things were distinctly different from my sheltered life back home. Regardless, I did my best to join in the Japanese traditions. During New Year’s Eve I visited three shrines in Fukuoka and prayed for good fortune as well as health in the coming year. For Japanese this is a fun tradition and each region has different ways to bring about that New Year, such as having a small race where the winner is honored with rice, sake and possible prosperous good luck in the year to come!

We also do such traditional things such as haunted hayrides during Halloween or going to church on Christmas Eve. Although the traditions for our various holidays between the two countries may vary, the idea remains the same. It’s all about celebrating what we as people hold important to us.

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Complicated

A New Year with New Thoughts

I’m finally back in action! Happy New Year everyone!

Around this time of year, everyone seems to be out making new year’s resolutions and such: “I won’t drink for a month, I promise to lose weight, I won’t eat ramen everyday this week,….” I personally don’t really understand new year’s resolutions. Sure, the new year brings about thoughts of motivation, but isn’t it more likely to happen if you just remain consistent in your efforts? Give it a shot. I know some of you may have already broken those promises to yourself even though we are only 7 days into the new year. Doesn’t mean you have to stop trying! The new year may start on one day, but your efforts to restart can happen at any moment.

Usually I myself don’t have a resolution to follow. This year however, at the start of January 1st I realized I do have one thing I wish to change. So with the start of the new year in mind, I will make a better effort to contact all my friends. For all of you who read this, thank you very much and I hope we can all keep in better touch this coming year! May the best luck be with you all.

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