Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou!

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Happy New Year!

When I woke up this morning, my first thought, after exclaiming my back hurts, was a memory of waking up early in the morning as a child on New Year's Day, walking out of the house into the chilly, sulfur-infused morning air gazing at hazy wisps that hung frozen along the lush green valley from the previous nights festivities.

I thought of Christina's dad, Mr. Choi, from across the street who celebrated each year with an impressive 10' long (maybe more!) conglomerate of black powder and red paper suspended from an enormous tree limb 15' in the air. How did he get it up there?

The clamor was always set off 5 minutes 'til midnight and would go on forever. Bathed in citrine sparks, the red flakes would meander earthward as the smoke drew skyward. Time thickens when you're mesmerized, or deafened, blinded, and accosted by sulfur. Not a chance of an evil spirit at his house!

Later in the morning, we'd drive through the eerily empty Beretania and King Streets Downtown. The air smelled even more singed. I loved watching the crimson swirl behind us as we drove by the tufts of red petals.

Back home to eat leftover osechi while watching New Year's dramas from NHK, TBS, Fujiterebi, news specials, and Kohaku Utagassen. Go Red!

Reminiscing. I must be getting old. Must be getting to be that time...

- Cassaendra