Good morning everyone! And happy New year…

Some of you may know that… in Japanese, people say Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu. In Chinese, people say Shing Nieng Kwai La. And in Spanish, people say ¡Feliz año nuevo!

Did you have a New Year’s Eve count down party? I did! And did you eat lots of food? Last night, Michi and I ate Buckwheat SOBA noodles. In Japan, we call it Toshikoshi Soba. It was very delicious.

Did you make your New Year’s resolutions yet? I made mine. Every year I make one resolution. Last year, my resolution was to “be more active”. And my biggest activity was the drive up to Denver in 2006. Some of you may remember that Michi and I were stuck in the snow on the Rocky mountains. Although it was still only September, there was a snow blizzard.

It was a very exciting experience for us. Fortunately, the Maron family gave us a rescue box as our Holiday gift. It contains Dried food, Blankets and water… So, now I do not have to worry about… being stuck in another blizzard.

My resolution for 2007 is very simple… It is “fit size L!”

2 years ago, at our Betsuin Bazaar, I had to get an XXL T-shirt for myself. XXL! At that time, I was just married. Most of you know, Michi worked as a Dietician in Japan. After we got married, she started to make me very healthy Vegetable juice every morning. The juice contains carrots, apples, sesame seeds, kale, parsley, soybean flour and some other things. If you are interested to make this, please ask Michi.

Anyway, 2 years ago, I wore XXL. Last year, at our Betsuin Bazaar, I bought an XL T-shirt for myself. That means, my waist lost 6 inches. Wow… Because of Michi’s special vegetable juice… If you are interested to make that juice, please ask Michi.

So, now you know the meaning of my new year’s resolution “fit size L”.

Hopefully, at the coming of our next Betsuin Bazaar, I try to fit into an L size T-shirt!!!

I think it is very good to have resolutions. When people make resolutions, they will try to achieve them. If you feel that you could have done more in the year of 2006, then maybe you should make some resolutions for yourself too...

I think that if we make resolutions, then we will live more actively and perhaps more meaningful lives.

“Fit size L!” It is a very simple resolution. But it can also be a very meaningful resolution for my life. I think that if we stay active in life, our year of 2007 will be a great year.

Gassho

Be active and fit size L!