Happy New Year!!

After 13 days off, I'm now officially back at work although only have one lesson this afternoon (and one student from there has already cancelled - maybe the other two will too!)

Because I had the school Christmas party earlier last year, the last week of teaching went past quickly and with less stress than usual. On the 23rd Dec we went to the young carpenters wedding which was nice as he is Korean so there were a lot of guests in Korean outfits (he and his wife also changed into Hanbok too). Since the next day was Christmas Eve, it meant the usual last minute shopping for me but we got everything we needed and all wrapped up and placed under the tree (in the classroom).

Christmas day was a normal working day here but once Setsuo, Aya and Daisuke were finished we all went out for dinner as usual and then came back for the presents. A lot of people think it strange to keep the presents until night time but it's something we've always done (birthdays too) since it means we all have time to be together without one of us needing to rush off to work, school or whatever. By the time everything was opened and looked at it was almost midnight which meant bedtime for me and Keita who had baseball early the next morning.

Setsuo finished work on Dec 28 and we also had the bonenkai (end of year party) for his company that night but after that it was just relaxing with a bit of food shopping thrown in. Now that there is just us in the house, there's no pressure to make traditional japanese new year food but I did buy/cook what I knew everyone would like. On New Year's Eve Kana and Keita wanted to watch one program whereas the rest of us didn't so they went into Keita's room. After about an hour though, Setsuo and Lisa both fell asleep so I read for a few hours and then it was time for the NY noodles. We always end up too full and unable to sleep so this year we shared 4 portions between the 5 of us (actually I thought there was more until I looked in the cupboard!) and what we did have was probably a much better amount. I think I was first in bed, followed shortly by Setsuo and Keita lasted until around 2am but Kana and Lisa stayed up until 5.30 watching TV. Needless to say they weren't around until about lunch time. Aya & Daisuke had gone to the temple in Kyoto (they were brave because it was blowing a gale and easily the coldest day/night we'd had so far). They hadn't got home until 5am but she still managed to come round by lunch time. After having something to eat we went to see Setsuo's father in the home. He was especially delighted to see Keita and I haven't seen him smile so much for ages. This home looks like it's a lot better than the last one and he seems to have settled in fine. It's also great for us as it's only about 10 minutes away by car so hopefully we can go and visit during the week too. On the 2nd we all got up early and were out the house to collect Aya by 8am and headed off to the gravesite in Kyoto. After a sushi lunch we were back home by 1pm and had time to just chill out.

Yesterday was the start of the year at baseball and there was loads to be done as we are now the 'top year'. Because a lot of the previous students are really only home during NY, we have to prepare food, drinks etc for all the boys and families that have 'graduated' from the club. There was probably about 150 of us. The younger year's mothers really helped a lot too which was good as there are only 9 of us in our year (there are a few more boys but some have parents who are divorced, mothers sick, etc) After getting home, I had 3 loads of washing to get through plus all the things from BB so I was in bed relatively early again.

All in all it's probably been one of best holidays for ages. It was nice to be able to spend so much time with us all together - usually there is at least one missing - and the kids really get on well with each other now that they are all older.

I've left my camera upstairs and can't be bothered going for it so will add photos next time.

No real new year resolutions other than trying to find a bit more time to see friends (other than baseball ones!) and to post here a bit more often!

Hope everyone had a great holiday and that 2010 is a good year for us all.