Week 113: December 25 -29, 2023
Day 784: December 25, 2023
Monday – Merry Christmas x Rumoi
Merry Christmas! This year's celebration holds a special place in our hearts as it marks Baby Kai's first Christmas. The joy and excitement that come with having a little one in the house add a new layer of warmth to the festivities. In an alternate reality, we would have been in the Philippines, indulging in a grand feast with our extended family. However, the necessity to apply for Kai's passport postponed that plan for now. Nonetheless, we look forward to the day we can reunite with our loved ones for such celebrations.
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| First stop for the day is at COOP |
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| Grocery shopping for the ingredients in tonight's Christmas party |
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| These look delicious. |
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| We got plenty of yakiniku meat |
Since our family is limited to just the three of us here in Japan, we decided to create our intimate celebration by inviting friends into our home. My wife's friend, Nao, and her daughter Nanon joined us for a delightful Christmas dinner. The day began with a trip to COOP to procure the finest meat for yakiniku, followed by hours of preparation in the kitchen.
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| Quick stop at Rumoi Bunka Center |
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| We actually wanted to drive to the beach, but we were worried about the snow conditions |
We stopped by the Rumoi Bunka Center before going home just to enjoy the breeze before going back home and becoming busy with cooking.
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| Our Christmas Feast |
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| I'm happy to have Nao and Nanon celebrate this special day with us |
I picked up Nao and Nanon at 7 PM, and our evening together became a cherished memory filled with laughter, stories, and delicious food. Time flew as we enjoyed each other’s company, turning what could have been a quiet night into a joyful celebration. Driving them home at 11 PM, I reflected on the importance of creating a family away from home and cherished the bonds we share, hoping for many more festive gatherings.
Day 785: December 26, 2023
Tuesday – Rumoi
The echoes of Christmas joy still linger, but reality calls, and it’s back to the usual routine after the festive break. Work resumed for me today, and surprisingly, the weather was a bit more forgiving compared to the icy days we faced last week. The thermometer read a relatively mild -1 degrees Celsius, and I was grateful that the biting wind decided to take a day off during my morning walk to Rumoi High School.
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| Rumoi High School 12.26.23 |
The school corridors were unusually quiet, as winter vacation gave the students a temporary escape. Only teachers, like myself, occupied the normally bustling halls. A few diligent students, however, made their way in to submit projects—a small but admirable reminder of their commitment even during the holidays.
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| Homi Hanten |
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| English Chat Club Christmas Dinner |
Here's what we ordered for dinner
Post-work, the day took an enjoyable turn as I joined the year-end gathering of the Rumoi English Chat Club at Homi Hanten in Kaiuncho 3-chome. Despite our small group of five, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and camaraderie. We reminisced about the year gone by and created new memories, turning a simple gathering into a cherished moment. Ikuko-san kindly offered to drive me home after the bonenkai, adding an extra layer of warmth to an already delightful evening.
Day 786: December 27, 2023
Wednesday – Rumoi
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| Rumoi High School 12.27.23 |
It’s a very snowy 3-degree morning here in Rumoi City, and it’s back to work for me today. I reported to Rumoi High School, where, like yesterday, there was no collaborative work since the students are still on winter vacation. I spent the quiet hours updating files and studying Japanese.
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| After today’s continuous snowfall, the snow on the road had piled up quite deeply. Thankfully, a path had been cleared. |
The snowfall, however, was relentless. On my way home, I found myself trudging through knee-deep snow. Each step felt like a journey through a winter wonderland—challenging, yet strangely beautiful.
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| Time to try my wife's kimchi, she made 3 different types. |
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| We had plenty of meat, so we had another yakiniku feast |
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| Itadakimasu! |
The evening brought a sense of warmth and coziness. My wife and I settled in to watch an episode of Forensic Files. Episode 10 from Season 13, titled "Window Watcher," told a gripping story: a Peeping Tom who had turned into a murderer and evaded justice for nearly two decades. It was a testament to the dedication of law enforcement, the advancements in forensic investigations, and the vigilance of watchful eyes everywhere.
Day 787: December 28, 2023
Thursday – Rumoi
Unlike yesterday, today’s weather is calmer, and the temperature sits at a mild 0 degrees. It’s also the last day of work for everyone here in Rumoi High School, as tomorrow is a special non-working day.
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| Rumoi High School 12.28.23 |
For today’s tasks, Matsuda-sensei invited me to help train some students for the Eiken exam, which made the day more engaging. That evening, my wife and I joined the Cooking Fever Fast Food Tournament, and for the third time in a row, we claimed first prize—300 diamonds!
Day 788: December 29, 2023
Friday – Rumoi x Special Non-Working Day
Today marked a blissful break from the usual hustle and bustle at Rumoi High School, thanks to a non-working holiday. Embracing the luxury of extra sleep, my family and I lingered in bed until 11 AM. With breakfast time long past, my wife prepared a delightful brunch for us, setting the tone for a leisurely day.
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| Ella enjoyed the snow pile in front of our place |
The morning unfolded with domestic tasks taking center stage. Cleaning the bedrooms and tackling the laundry became a joint effort, and in the midst of it all, I found time to connect with my daughter, Ella. Out in the snow, we shared playful moments that brought warmth to the winter chill.
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| Rumoi Shinkin Bank |
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| Heartful |
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| Rumoi Police Station |
Around noon, the three of us ventured out on a series of errands across Rumoi. We stopped by Rumoi Shinkin Bank for a quick withdrawal, visited Heartful to submit important documents related to my wife's birth, and went to Rumoi Police Station to officially report the recovery of her missing smartphone.
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| Jabba Laundromat |
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| DCM |
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| MaxValu |
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| We stopped by 711 to buy dinner |
Along the way, we paused at Jabba to speed up the drying of freshly washed clothes, ran errands at DCM and Maxvalu for household essentials, and made a quick stop at 7-Eleven to grab some oden for a cozy dinner later.
Family bonding time before going inside the house
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| These are the movies that we watched for today's "Movie Night" |
By 5 PM, we returned home and decided to set aside any remaining chores in favor of a movie marathon. Our selections for the evening included Midnight (2021), The Shepherd (2023), Sleepy Hollow (1999), and The Sadness (2021). As the credits rolled on the final film, I reflected on the rarity of a week free from demanding work commitments.
With no collaboration projects or school visits to attend to, I was able to enjoy genuine rest, accomplish productive chores, and savor cherished moments with my family. This pause in the usual routine served as a gentle reminder of the importance of balance in life.
Read more:
Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 113
Hokkaido 179
Japan Diaries 4: Summary
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