Andrew`s MBA Diaries: Winter Break

Winter break is almost over. Its amazing, the 3 weeks has flown past.

During the break Namiko and I flew to Japan to spend 'Shougatsu' (New Year) with her family. This is something that we have been been doing every year for the past 5 years, however this time my parents and brother (+ girlfriend) decided to also join.
This was the first time since the wedding that the 2 families had met and it went very well.
We spent a traditional Shougatsu evening having dinner at home followed by a visit to the local shrine at midnight to ring the bell. In accordance with Buddhist teachings the bell must be rung 108 times as the date changes between 31st December and 1st January. The 108 strikes represents each person's 108 passions or desires. By ringing the bell one is meant to get rid of these so as to start the new year afresh.

We also managed to do a little sightseeing, going to Kanazawa Jo (Castle), Takaoka Kojo Park and Kanazawa Kazue-Machi Chaya district (the old Geisha district).

Me, Namiko, Mum, Daniel, Daisy, Dad at Kanazawa Jo

The trip was concluded with a pseudo/late Japanese wedding party. It seemed a little funny that now (2 years after getting married) we were having a wedding party, but seeing as our actual wedding party was in the UK and Namiko's extended family couldn't make it, her father decided take advantage of my family being in Japan to host a traditional style party. Despite the language problem, the evening went very well and finally allowed Namiko's extended family to meet my parents.