道なき道: Winter Break Part 1

Now to cover the second half of December, and part of the break time!

Drew’s b-day was fun (after work, of course), and I got to surprise him with some Van Canto CDs. Thank goodness for 1-day free delivery from Japan Amazon! We went out to eat and just spent the evening with each other.

My boss took me and a batch of coworkers out to eat as a sort of company Christmas Party on the 19th. He reserved a room at a sukiyaki and shabu-shabu restaurant called Dontei. Both sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are a type of Japanese hot-pot dish that’s popular during the Winter season, and while I was familiar with the former, it was my first experience with the latter. It was all very delicious.

cook meat, tofu and various veggies in soy sauce and water. then dip in raw egg and enjoy!

cook meat, tofu and various veggies in boiling broth. Dontei had four different types of broth, and I can't remember which two we chose (the picture isn't a match since I just found it on the internet). once the meat is cooked, dip it in sesame sauce and enjoy!

The following day was our anniversary (and payday!), so we went out to eat. Back home we each chose one Christmas present from the other to open early. Then the next day we took advantage of the Couple's Night movie theater deals and saw The Hobbit with our neighbors. (And I must say that they could not have cast a better Bilbo!)

The break was wonderful, despite last-minute Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Christmas day was a day of relaxing, talking to family, and, of course, opening presents!