Happy New Year!

January 1, 2012 (my blog time is still set for Japan)

I have so much to be thankful this year. Oh, wait, wrong holiday…this is the resolution holiday. Well, never mind that, I still have a lot to be thankful for now! First, I am typing this on my very own computer, purchased today! I’m super thankful to have a brother who likes computers and works in IT.

Here it is, in its very own box of joy! It was so much fun to open and start up. I am having a great time getting to know my new electronic buddy.

I’m especially thankful to be enjoying time with my family back in the homeland. It’s so wonderful to be able to spend face to face time with my loved ones. It’s also fun to be able to talk to any random stranger! But I noticed one really weird and totally unrelated thing when I was at the grocery store. The produce shrank! The fruit is so much tinier than it is in Japan. That was pretty weird. It’s both odd and fun to experience the changes that have been happening while I’ve been away. This, for example:

Probably everyone in the United States has seen this except for me, but I was really surprised. Bread in the shape of Goldfish crackers! I find this hilarious. I also took a picture of the good old grape flavored apples to show my students. Even I think that grape flavored apples are a little odd. Well, a LOT odd.

But, of course, Japan has its own set of odd grocery store goodies. I’m thankful for grocery store goodies! Whether or not they are actually bought, they make shopping fun!

I’m also thankful for church! I considered taking a picture during the service, but decided against it.It was so nice to be surrounded by a huge group of fellow believers in church this morning, lift our voices in worship, and hear a wonderful message about new beginnings in Christ. What a great way to bring in the new year.

Speaking of new beginnings, I’m also thankful for a new year! I love the freshness of a new year. Even though January 1 is just another day, I absolutely delight in the feeling that anything is possible in the new year.

Well, it’s just about time for me to join my parents in a game of Boggle. Heeheehee. I’m hoping that the fresh start of the new year will result in my winning a few games (I don’t usually win).

Happy 2012, everyone!!!