December 17, 2008
Tokyo, Japan
Rainy and Chilly
My Assignment has been Extended!
I can't believe two years have gone by since I moved to Japan. My assignment was to end on January 15, 2009 but my management extended it for another year! I'm very happy about it as I feel I did not accomplish everything I wanted to do both professionally and personally in Japan during the past two years. I'm very much looking forward to another year in this wonderful country and hopefully improve my kanji skills as they are still dismal. I'm also so happy I get to spend another year with my new friends although I miss my cat, my family and my good friends in the States very much.
The past month has been crazy busy at work so I haven't been able to do some day trips but I did manage some extracurricular activities to keep my sanity.
X'mas Breads
As I reported in the last entry, I have qualified for the Master Bread Making class. For the December class, we learned to make two X'mas breads: Pannetonne and Kugelhopf. The class was a lot of fun as Abe-san and Sawada-san, two friends I met from bread making, joined me. This is their last class so after completion, they get a bread making license! Sawada-san is very interesting as she worked in Nepal for a couple of years for the Japanese Embassy. She has travelled extensively throughout the world and like me believes in "experiencing" the countries she visits rather than just "visiting".
The first bread we made is Pannetonne. Pannetonne is a traditional X'mas and New Year's bread from Milan. Its a sweet bread and is flavored with raisins, orange peel and nuts. Pannetonne actually means "large bread" but we made two small ones. They were very cute and I gave them to the concierges of my apartment as X'mas gifts.
Pannetonne
The second bread we made is Kugelhopf. It also is a holiday bread and its the bread that Marie Antoinette brought to France where it gained popularity. Its a very popular holiday bread in Eastern European countries. It also lasts a long time as its soaked in rum. Our Kugelhopf was flavored with raisins, almonds and chocolate. We also used brown sugar instead of white sugar so it was a dark brown bread. I did not try it as I brought it to a Xmas party I was going. I hope people enjoyed it!
Kugelhopf
Parties, Parties and a Dog Party!
'Tis the season to Bonenkai! I had a couple of Bonenkai's to go to this month. Bonenkai literally means "Forget the Year" and its a traditional drinking party for workers. I'm not a big fan of them as large quantities of alcohol are consumed (thus no pix !) but it is tradition and is something Japanese businessmen like to do prior to New Years. Unlike the Western culture where New Years Eve is party time for many, New Year's Eve is time to reflect and spend with the family in Japan. Thus Bonenkai is the last party of the year for many.
I did go to a Xmas party though hosted by Monika and her husband who just moved to Tokyo about 6 months ago and lives in the same building that I live in. It was a very elegant event where Monika somehow found time (she is a CEO) to decorate her apartment with fabulous food. It was a great way to get in the Xmas spirit.
Terry who started a group for Dog Lovers and also lives in the building organized a fabulous Christmas party for dogs. It was Yuki-chan's first X'mas party and since she still gets scared easily I was a bit worried. However, she was fine and got along well with the other dogs. Skipper was in heaven and managed to charm many of the ladies at the party so that he got a lot of treats. Skipper's friend Jordan was there too and they hung out together as both of them were "senior citizens". They could not be bothered with the young ones like Yuki-chan who spent most of the time running around the garden. The party was held at the top floor of my building where there is a rooftop garden. Both Yuki-chan and Skipper were exhausted after the party and had a deep and happy sleep that night.
My Yuki-chan and Yuuki(which means courage) the beagle who is one year old.
Alex, Terry's very cool Sheltie
"I'm having fun Mom!" says Yuki-chan
Skipper checking out a new friend
Skipper being checked out by an interested female dog
Dogs Rule!
Terry prepared incredible food for both humans and dogs
X'mas Lights Everywhere
Although Christmas is not a holiday and has no religious significance to most people in Japan, thanks to phenomenal marketing, the city merchants and Tokyo-ites go wild with Christmas celebrations in Japan. Advent calendars sell out even though most people don't know the meaning of it! Everywhere in Tokyo, there is "Christmas Illumination" fairs and there is even a small replica of Munich's X'mas fair in Roppongi Hills! Here are some photos of Christmas lights in Tokyo.
Roppongi Hills' Munich Christmas Fair Replica – Comes with real Germans!
Roppongi Hills Christmas Lights
Tokyo Midtown Christmas Lights
Ark Hills Christmas Lights
Akasaka Saca Christmas Lights
Shiodome Christmas Lights
Kasumigaseki Christmas Lights
Shinjuku
Ometesando Hills
Off to Home Sweet Home!
I'm off to spend a couple of days in Los Angeles with friends, check out my place in Malibu and see how Professor my cat is doing. I then spend Christmas with my sister and family in lovely Boulder, Colorado. I cannot wait to see my dear nephews BB and Jackson. See you in 2009 Tokyo!