「良い年を」Last post of the year
A belated Merry Christmas, and an early Happy New Year! to everyone.
お世話になりました。来年もよろしくお願いします。
This will most likely be my last post of the year.
Christmas was uneventful and simple, but very relaxing for both of us. Ryu went to Tokyo to meet with friends he hasn't seen in ages, and I spent the day drinking hot chocolate, reading, and soaking in warm scented baths. Our Christmas dinner was a delicious pizza and we split a slice of baumkuchen cake, since I still can't really eat sweets.
My maternity case is packed and the necessary hospital documents have been completed. I've pre-filled everything I could for the embassy so that there is less to do later. We'll spend the New Year holiday here at home but because everyone seems to hold the belief that I'm more likely to attempt to walk to the hospital than call a taxi if my water breaks, it was decided we'll spend all of January at Ryu's parent's house, instead of just a month after I give birth. Am I irritated at being treated like a child? Yes. But do I acknowledge that they are probably right in their beliefs? Also yes. Taxis are so expensive.
We aren't sure we'll still be able to do 初詣 this year. I'd like to go, but Ryu doesn't think it's a great idea to brave the walk and crowd of people doing their first temple visit, especially during a pandemic when I'm this far along. Not going would be a break in tradition though, as we've gone to Omiya Temple at the start of the new year ever since first meeting.
Last year's 初詣: Year of the Ox.
I hadn't really set any goals for this year, aside from practicing more self-control in my daily life. In 2022? My goals are to lose the baby weight, return to work, and find a decent life balance overall. Maybe it's not so much of a goal, but a desire for the upcoming year is to finally get Ryu to see The Lion King musical. Last year we had planned on seeing The Blue Man Group this year, but the timing and ticket prices make it impossible this time around.
Money-wise, we're fine but I would still like to live a little more frugaly until April, as I won't be seeing a dime of maternity leave until then. I'm still on the fence as to whether this means holding off on a new moisturizer. Technically, I could use Nivea Creme to protect from winter dryness, but it doesn't have any real skin repair properties...and I just finally got my skin as clear as I want it. They say "女は顔がすべて！” "The face of a woman is everything." Do I want to spend the 4,000円 as an investment in myself, even though it's the same price as my child's formula? Hm.
As a courtesty, we let our neighbors know that I was expecting in January, and that while we were going to be staying elsewhere for the first month, we still wanted to apologize beforehand for any excessive noise that might come after. Our neighbors to the left informed us they were moving out anyway, but our neighbor to the right simply told us "I'm working remotely until March, so make sure it isn't noisy between X and Y times." Naturally, I'll be teaching my child to scream and cry exactly during those times.
Very soon, the new last season of Attack on Titan will be released. It really goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway -- I'm overly excited. I need to find some new dramas to watch as well. I had expected to study Japanese quite a bit during my leave, but after working on so much paperwork, my brain shut down and I haven't picked up a single text book. I should study via media until my brain settles.
Cheers to a new year. I hope everyone has a great one!