The end of the first 10 days of 2011 is here already. I had to wish a quick “Happy New Year,” as the door for that phrase is quickly closing in.


I hope that this year, 2011 is even more exciting and productive year for everyone.

2010 was indeed a wonderful year for us and I'm very grateful for everything that we have achieved and received.

Yes I know, lately I haven't been really blogging actively. Last quarter of last year was the busiest months for me. I had so many things to share but so little time. I do hope I can find time to make entries of those and share them via Ate Rose's meme called Nostalgia.

Nevertheless, I'm sharing some of our New Year's eve photos



We had a simple and yet fun celebration in our new home sweet home. During the countdown, I was talking with my family in the Philippines while me and honeyB was having a happy new year kiss lol ( no posting here of course, check my other
blog soon )

Related Links:
Oshogatsu
New Year in Japan

Carrying a 1.8kg of rice cake is one of the highlights of our lil darling's First Birthday.

This is a traditional gift given by Okasan --my mom's mother in law who loves and adores Azumi so much, treats her like her own great grand daughter.




Well here's another interesting Japanese custom which might sound a bit pitiless to celebrate the child's first birthday in Japan.

The celebrant is asked to carry 1.8 kg worth of rice cake or mochi on their back to wish them a happy and long life.

This special rice cake or mochi is traditionally called Issho Mochi ( 一升餅 ), made to be part of the celebration. It's kinda heavy so babies are usually assisted to be able to walk even just a few steps. This also symbolizes the parents’ hope that the child will never go hungry throughout his or her lifetime.



Azumi successfully carried the mochi for few seconds assisted by us. The mochi is round which symbolizes "no trouble". So we are hoping that this practice brings our love child a long life with no troubles.

Having a baby in a different culture could be challenging and surprising, and so as being married to a foreigner. You never know how deeply ingrained your culture is until you live in a different country or marry a foreigner. But then all would end up so well when both of you are willing to adapt.

I didn'T have a hard time adjusting since I've been going/living here for quite a long time. When we got pregnant to our little bundle of Joy, surprisingly I discovered that there are still more customs and traditions that are so new to me. One of these customs is gift-giving which seems to be important to Japanese. The gift giving is a major custom and sort of a social duty or obligation with gifts being given on special occasions. The emphasis is not on the gift itself but on the art of gift giving, so nothing to worry about expensive or inexpensive gifts.

When Azumi was born, we received gifts from Hubby's relatives and friends, my mom's inlaws, neighbors, and some friends. Most were given in the form of cash enclosed in a special envelope called Oiwai Bukkuro ( お祝い ).

This gift giving itself called Go-shussan Iwai. (shussan literally means childbirth)


Special envelopes called Oiwai Bukkuro .. Oiwai (iwai) literally means to celebrate or to congratulate.



Go-Shussan Iwai is the gifts for healthy newborns. The gift is usually given a week after the babies birth and is usually things like clothing, toys, memorabilias, and/or cash.

The cash we received is quite surprising for me. If only I could give birth every year I will.. --lol just kidding.