あけましたおめ〜でとう

新年あけましておめでとう皆様。

Spending New Years with my wonderful family, the same warm and welcoming family that 2010 was welcomed with. My host family and their extended family trusted me with their ikebana this year. Feeling rather flatted.

Awoke at 10:30 yesterday morning to fulfil a promise to wash the giant black stone at the center of my families house. Was quite a lot of scrubbing though with all my effort (一生懸命) it became very shiny and finally game me a chance to touch the stone. Achievement unlocked. 

After completing the rock cleaning, flower arranging and sweeping all the floors, Nakako and myself waxed all the floors. This was also quite a task, though Mum was more than pleased with our effort and it felt good to know we helped. 

To feel this sense of belonging is truly a wonderous thing, especially after a difficult few months which left me pondering the very nature of "home". We ate sukiyaki, we laughed, we felt like a family and it felt like home. ^_^

Just got home from hatsumode ( first shrine visit of the year) which began at 12:30 after watching the New Years music special on tv, then changing into my New Years sheep jacket which had been my project for the past few days.

As we were the last visitors before they closed, the first shrine gave us extra servings of warm azuki and mochi :D. At the second shrine Nanako and myself had sake and were given chocolates. The third shrine was small and we ate ika.

Instead of wishing everyone well a set 12 month period , my thinking is to extend that positive thinking to remind everyone that there will always be someone wishing for their happiness in every moment in this loneliness epidemic.

Wishing for your happiness always. ^_^

"Happiness, I wish you happiness. Truthful, uplifting, fulfilling happiness in every aspect and every century, decade, year, week, day, second, moment of your life."

10:46 - Facebook 

Special thanks for 2014

This is Luke English, otherwise known as Nuki-sama, Saka or bakanuki. My continued existence over the past few months has been to a large extent, thanks to this guy. Though many have contributed to helping me through this time of learning both academic and personal, there should be special thanks afforded to such a dedicated and outstandingly positive influence in my life. Nuki listened to my winging and reassured me even when things were dark, that we would have brighter days. Thankyou for your time, for the books, for your patience, for the company, thankyou for your existance. 

Hoping for your continued companionship on my travels through life.