Weekend 113: December 30 - 31, 2023

Day 789: December 30, 2023

Saturday - Rumoi

Good morning! Today was a day filled with unexpected twists and turns. Our initial plan to start the day early and head to COOP for the New Year's feast ingredients took a detour, thanks to our late-night movie marathon that had us sleeping in until 10 AM. Despite the delayed start, my wife managed to whip up a simple yet delicious breakfast that set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

It's a cold, snowy morning. We headed to COOP to buy some ingredients

There were plenty of delicious bento dishes, but we are here to buy ingredients

More of those mouth-watering bento meals

Looking for some high-quality meat

Look who's enjoying his trip to the grocery store

Once we fueled up, we finally made our way to COOP. The bustling aisles were alive with dozens of people, all on a mission to gather their groceries. It was a unique experience, witnessing the lively atmosphere of a grocery store in full swing. We navigated through the crowds, filling our cart with everything we needed, and finally wrapped up our shopping adventure around 4 PM.

That afternoon, I helped my wife make some of her dishes

We had sinigang for dinner

My wife's Sinigang

Back home, my wife showcased her culinary skills by preparing an incredibly delicious spare rib sinigang for our New Year's feast. The savory aroma filled the kitchen, creating an anticipation for the delightful meal that awaited us. As the day unfolded, we found ourselves drawn into the gripping world of Forensic Files. The episode titled "Dirty Laundry" proved to be both intriguing and captivating, providing us with a fascinating way to wind down before calling it a night.

Day 790: December 31, 2023

Sunday - New Year's Eve with Teacher Kanda

Good morning! Today dawned as another beautiful day here in Rumoi City, and there's a special energy in the air—it's New Year's Eve! Our morning was filled with the delightful hustle and bustle of preparing food for a lunch date with none other than Teacher Kanda.

Good morning!

We're at Teacher Kanda's place for our pre-New Year celebration.

The menu was diverse and delectable, featuring carbonara, lumpiang Shanghai, and baked sushi. We set off from home around noon, eager to spend quality time with Teacher Kanda, whom we hadn't bonded with in months.

Here's our Pre-New Year's Feast

Upon arrival at her place, we were treated to a feast for the senses. Teacher Kanda had prepared an exquisite spread, including boiled hairy crab, whale meat soup, and a variety of fresh appetizers like salmon and tuna sashimi, as well as delicate salmon roe. Her warm hospitality made the afternoon truly special.

Pre-New Year Bonding With Teacher Kanda

Our time at her place was filled with laughter and meaningful conversations. We talked about everything under the sun, catching up on the events that had transpired during our time apart. It was a wonderful reunion, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with such a dear friend.

Movie night: Thanksgiving (2023), Decibel (2022), Zom 100

As the evening approached, we reluctantly bid Teacher Kanda farewell and made our way back home around 9 PM. The night was still young, and we decided to spend the remaining hours of the year watching movies and some episodes of the zombie anime. The chosen titles were "Thanksgiving (2023)," "Decibel (2022)," and "Zom 100." It was a cozy and enjoyable way to usher in the New Year.

Reflecting on the week that passed, it was truly amazing. We found the perfect balance between relaxation, family fun, and cherished moments with close friends. As the clock struck midnight, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the experiences of the past year and excitement for what 2024 holds in store.

Here's to new beginnings and the promise of more beautiful days ahead!

Japan Diaries 4: Week 113

10 Things to Do in Rumoi City

10 More Things to Do in Rumoi City

Hokkaido 179

Japan Diaries 4: Summary

Japan Diaries 4: Week 112

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 112

Japan Diaries 4: Week 114

Japan Diaries 4: Weekend 114