1st of Janury in Japan

At every year end, there will be 'fuyu yasumi' (winter holidays) for about 5 days in Japan. This year we got around 9 days because it starts from 27th of December and end on the January 4th. Many Japanese are taking this time off to visit other countries or to be together with their respective family. However, the most special day is on the 1st of January.

On first of January, most families will be having feast together. Some of them will have parties followed with indoor games. They even have special foods for the day. One of them is plain mochi or cake make from rice flour (rice cake). It's sticky and eaten with special miso soup, known as zoni.

My friend, Tokunaga sensei just drop by for a visit. She brought me a few rice cakes that she made herself and a bag of 'mikan' (mandarin orange). I am very glad to receive her as we haven't seen each other for some times. She was very busy with English course that the school will implement in the Elementary school 2009. She will start teaching year 5 and 6 students English, one time each week. Something new as before there is no English class for Elementary children.

Back to zoni, Tokunaga sensei explain how to prepare it. It has different way of preparation depending on the places. By the way, I had found the recipe earlier in the recipe book which I bought from Amazon Japan, Japanese Recipes 60. The book is good as it has instruction and pictures. Anyway, thank you so much Tokunaga sensei for your gift and thought.

Tomorrow, I am going to Surini's place in Kobe. We'll celebrate new year and going for sightseeing and shopping. I have a long list of things to buy for souvenirs to the people back home. I have just bought return tickets to Penang in March but haven't told the Professor as yet. I miss Malaysia!