Happy New Year 2014

Its a few days late but still.... Happy new year 2014. May it be a wonderful year for all of us! 

2013 is an eventful year for me.. I got married in June, moved to Japan in July and obtained my driving license in November with all the tests within 1st try when i failed twice back in my home country. Funny isn't it? 

For the new year, we went back to my in law house to celebrate their Japanese New Year called (お正月, oshōgatsu). It is one of their important festivals in the year and each family will gather together and welcome the new coming year. Before that my in laws asked what type of expensive food do i wish to eat? I replied its daijiobu anything that you prepared, do not need to be expensive. Shota then interrupted and explained during only for お正月, we need to prepare expensive food that we typically do not eat. Without hesitation i choose kani! Japanese crabs are so sweet but so costly that i had yet to taste since i got here.

All of us gathered at obaa-chan house, watching tv and chatting while eating the hotpot nabe and crab. We also had mochi wrapped in seaweed with soy sauce over it. Mochi on its own its tasteless but with seaweed and soy sauce, it had the crunchy and salty texture.

Shota and i also received otoshidama *お年玉*, similar to red packets in chinese new year from them. I had already use it to buy mountain jacket the very next day lol! Its -6 degree as im typing away. Apparently on 1st Jan - 3 Jan they always have huge discount for all shops hence people will start queuing up for the brands they are aiming for. 

Having lunch at indian restaurant 

My father in law at work lol

porcupine fish sashimi!

 お節料理 osechi, specially eaten during New Year

hotpot

its made from red bean.