Happy 2011!

As I always say on the first day of a new year, I can't believe it's already been another year. Where did 2010 go?! All I can say is that it was a great year regardless of all the tears that I cried. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?

Let's start off the new year with gratitude. Let's focus on what I do have...
-Family
-Amazingly awesome boyfriend with whom I have a strong relationship
-Confidence in being more independent
-A new life in a new apartment!
-Feeling OK with the changes that I am going through

The last one is my favorite. There's nothing better than feeling like everything is going to be OK.

So it's a Japanese tradition to do a big New Year's Day meal. And my French/Irish boyfriend came and was brave enough to try all different kinds of traditional Japanese cuisine! So proud :-) He even had sashimi!

My mom is amazing. Usually, she buys all the New Years Day foods, but this year she spent all week preparing for the day's meal. It was soooooooooo good! Mom's cooking is definitely still the best :-)
Osechi Ryori


Sashimi

Nimono (Stewed Vegetables)

Tamagoyaki and (I forgot the name of the pink and white things!)

Roasted and then Steamed Pork

Ozoni (Soup with Mochi)


Last year, we did New Years Day at Kyo Ya. I enjoyed today more just because it was Mommy's cooking and it was made with l-o-v-e ...