Stephanie- New Year

New Year

If Christmas isn't as big in Japan as it is in the U.S., the reverse is true for the New Year. A lot of people go to visit their families at this time, since there is a break from work and school for the holiday. I went with my host family to Sendai, a more northern area of Japan, to visit my host father's mother and brother who live there and we stayed with them four days.

On New Year's Eve, we had an amazing traditional Japanese meal with lots of sushi and assorted obento items: shrimp, lobster, snails, Japanese mame or sweet black beans with gold flakes, salmon roe, and roasted chestnuts to name a few. すごいおいしいかった (It was super delicious)! We also had a chance to practice some foreign languages together at dinner since my host dad's brother bought an assortment of foreign beers for everyone to sample. Cheers! Nazdorovie! Kanpai! Prohst!

The Japanese make the most beautiful little cakes I have ever seen!

My host mom and grandmother preparing the pot for sukiyaki, which consists of vegetables, thinly sliced beef, and a mixture of soy sauce and sugar, simmered in the pot right on the table. It's a very popular winter meal in Japan and one of my favorites.

After dinner we watched a New Year's special on TV with lots of famous Japanese performers, (and also a special performance by Lady Gaga) and then played games together. I learned a new Japanese card game, called bouzumekuri which was really fun. Everyone takes turns taking a card from the deck and depending on the character on your card you either have to give up your whole pile or can try to take other people's piles by slapping them before the person notices and slaps their own pile first. In that way I guess its a little like Spoons.

On January 2nd, we we went to a shrine to pray and welcome in the the new year. Of course we weren't the only ones; there were lots of people there!

At the shrine there are little wooden boxes under a row of big bells. To pray, you throw a coin into the box as an offering, ring the bell by shaking the big ropes, bow twice, clap your hands twice, and then bow once more.

At the shrine lots of people also buy omikuji: little strips of paper that have fortunes on them. If the fortune is good, you keep it with you, but if it is bad, you tie the paper on one of the rows of string so that the fortune stays at the shrine and does not come true.

Comments

Hayley- Looking back

Looking Back The Month in Review: As we begin February, it is time for me to write my monthly report. Technically speaking, I haven’t been in Japan for a month yet, but this report covers all that I have done in January. As part of the report, I put together a summary of different categories within my life. While the following is rather dry, I thought my blog readers might find it interesting and informative. Host Family: I have a wonderful host family, and I’ve enjoyed settling in and getting to know them. My 8-year-old host brother has adjusted to me, and we get along very well. My 13-year-old host sister has been a great help as I learn Japanese; she has a notebook where she writes down new Japanese words and phrases that I am learning. Sugoi-ne! My host parents are wonderful. My host mom makes me feel like part of the family. She understands about the little things that make one feel “included” in family life. Something as smal...

Maddie- The First of Many New Experiences

The First of Many New Experiences So, what have my first weeks been like in Japan? ABSOLUTELY BUSY! But, also...AMAZING! Truly, it has been a busy couple of weeks here, but not overwhelmingly so. Furthermore, I`d prefer to be kept busy! Too much free time = too much thinking = homesickness. By keeping a full, fun schedule, with some relaxing and downtime, I can keep engaged with my surroundings, make new friends, and stay sane. To prevent a wall of text, let me break down for you some of my recent activities. So far, I have: Presented about my life in Wisconsin to classes of middle school and elementary school students. Eaten kaiten-zushi, or conveyor belt sushi. Been interviewed about my biggest surprise when I came to Japan (it`s bluntness in regards to appearance, people won`t hesitate to call someone fat, or tell you that you`ve gotten skinny since they last saw you. As I`ve seen it, it`s never been malicious, just matter-of-fact). Post filming. To my ...

LEX American Intern: Brittany

LEX American Intern: Brittany Introduction and First Impressions: On LEX Hippo, and living in 日本 for a week Greetings and Salutations, my full name is Brittany Esther Gautier, but you can call me び [/bi/: BEE], or Brit, or びじ[BEE-GEE], or my official title Japanese resident registration ぶりとに[literally, "bu-RI-to-ni], or Britney Spears, or Brit-Brit, or ぶりぶり, or Estee. Or like a few of my previous Spanish speaking co-workers you can just call me Shakira. I am a year-long intern for LEX Hippo America. I speak English, understand a good amount of Spanish, and am focusing on learning Portuguese, and Japanese. I'm so excited to have been chosen for this wonderful program, and I'm overwhelmingly grateful for this opportunity to travel, learn, and expand my worldview in such an authentic and meaningful way. Background As I said before, I'm Brittany. I'm 22 years old, but on October 8th, I will be 23. Soy de Estados Unidos en California. Mi familia se com...

Search This Blog