Dec 3 – something to be thankful for

Had an interesting evening. We went to Shimbashi for bounenkai (忘年会) with people who graduated from same high school as Atsushi. Interesting because attendees were of different generations and different walks of life – oldest being retirees and us being youngest, one worked in the World Health Organization and one a dentist etc etc. Thankful because Atsushi was so proud of me that he brought me with him to the gathering. We were the only husband and wife there. Thankful because they all welcomed me and thought very highly of me. And proud because they all told me how kind Atsushi is. 🙂
Thankful as well for this yummy strawberries that one woman alumni gave me and Atsushi.

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A backgrounder: Bounenkai is the Japanese equivalent of Christmas party or thanksgiving party, held usually around December with the intent of gathering round to celebrate the year that was.

autumn on November 30

We’ve been so busy lately that we haven’t really been to the countryside to experience autumn. Here in the city, I feel like autumn took a long time in coming. And even when it came, the visit was so short. Short though it may be, yet still beautiful.

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The 1st week of Advent and a Happy New Year

I feel so guilty not being able to attend one of the most anticipated Sundays in the Church’s calendar. The 1st week of Advent, which marks the first of the four weeks of waiting for Jesus’ birthday. In the Church’s calendar, today is like the New Year and hence a time of looking forward to the new year’s blessings and joys as well as being thankful to the year that was.

And with a smile, I was thankful that unconsciously, we were also doing our recollections and our share of thanksgiving. We are now cooking something that enabled us to reminisce on how our story started and how it unfolded. Listening to Hubs share how he felt buoys me up and made me really thankful how God has been good to us to have had enabled us to spend our lives together.

And so with joy, love and hope, we look forward happily to the future God has planned for Atsushi and me. I am excited! Because I believe it is gonna be great. We claim it Lord! 🙂

Happy New Year everyone!

Fuji in autumn

Autumn is just the season when everything is bathed in gold at sunset. Breathtakingly beautiful. Absolutely.

Was so thrilled when we saw these framed photos of Mt. Fuji in autumn on the train platform in the station nearest our home. Sorry for the bad angles, tried my utmost to avoid the reflection of the platform lights.

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