It is January the first and I am sitting in a cafe downtown Toronto. Last year this time I was watching the sunrise at the Tokushige Park in Nagoya. This year no watching the sunrise as it was cloudy for the first morning of the new year. Not to mention that the temperature was minus 1 degree. Coming into the city on the subway earlier today, I found myself seated with a few lost souls it seemed. Either hung over, sleeping, or simply dismal, the company was not in the festive mood. Maybe too much partying the night before, I am not sure.

The Christmas season has finished, and the decorations are all being put away for another year. Here, in this part of the world the festive season is completely over. With the passage of New Year's Eve, the party is over. It is back to work tomorrow, on the 2nd of January for most. Of course the children, the students, the government workers, and the big companies have until next Monday, the 6th to laze around and take things easy. This is the time that many take off to the hills for some skiing or just to snuggle by a fireside at a resort or cottage in the snow covered north. As for me I am dog-sitting with Rachel again for a few days while her friends do exactly that, run to the hills for snow-boarding. I will be swimming in the pool at the dog condo this afternoon to welcome in the first day of 2020.

Speaking of which, I have great positive feelings for the new year ahead. It just feels right, 2020. I hope to set some specific goals in the writing department, the exercise area, and challenging myself in other ways. I want to see a direction for myself, in each of these areas.

Not exactly certain of my route ahead but will put some steps in place as to how to achieve my exact goals. Has anyone made any New Year's Resolutions that you are willing to share with me? I'm listening with great interest.

Over the Christmas holidays I spent much time with family members; immediate family and extended family, as well as with old friends. Being my first Christmas season home recently, I have caught up with many people and seen others for the first time in a long while. All of it is exciting, and overwhelming at the same time. Where did the years go? I spent so many of my years in Japan, and enjoyed each one of them. Now it is time to view things from the other side of the world, and that is just what I am immersed in doing.

Food was at the centre of most gatherings, and I ate to my heart's content. Curiously enough I have not gained any weight at all since I have been home from Japan. In fact I have actually lost a touch or at the very least remained the same weight. Interesting festive food consisted of turkey, cooked garlic chicken livers, homemade pasta, Caesar salad, homemade bread, down home healthy vegetable soup, steak cooked on the barbecue, brussels sprouts salad, Cajun salmon and sweet potatoes, and amazing sweets. You all know that I have a sweet tooth. If anyone wants me to expand on the recipes, I will, and if you have any great recipes I will certainly welcome them.

I have found an article of interest for all of those studying English. It outlines special specific ways in which many countries bring in the new year. Here is Canada and Japan, and if you are interested you can click on the link below to investigate the other countries written about.

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/50-new-year-traditions-from-around-the-world.html

Happy New Year to all, wishing you a year ahead full of great promise and satisfaction.

Love Rosemary🌹

Chapter 8