Tuesday, 01.01.2002
Happy New Year! I awakened shortly before 8:00 am this morning with the faint scent of smoke in the air still lingering from last night. It seemed that stricter fireworks regulations and the permit that's required to purchase firecrackers had deterred many island residents this year. As a result, a more quiet New Year's Eve of 2K2.

In years passed, you'd hear strings of firecrackers exploding for 10 minutes (and more) at a time while families ushered in the new year. However, this year, most of the noise came from the illegal aerials that folks still managed to acquire by underground channels -- and even then, those were less than usual. We usually get a pretty nice aerial fireworks show courtesy of our neighbors, but last night we only caught a glimpse of a few here and there. It seems that most opted for a more quiet means by which to welcome 2002.

I decided to go for a walk this morning and take my camera along to capture anything that caught my eye. Here's what was captured forever on digital media:

Photo #1 and #2: The debris from burned firecrackers. Setting off firecrackers to usher in the new year is largely an Asian (or more specifically, Chinese) tradition. Because of the large Asian population in Hawaii, it's probably the noisiest state in America on New Year's Eve. 

Photo #3: Red paper from exploded firecrackers is a common sight on driveways across the islands the morning after -- that is, unless you're really good and do your clean up before you hit the sack. Sweeping up the debris the day after can be a pain, however, especially if we're blessed with some rainfall during the wee hours of the morning.

* * * * *

Abunai!  New Year's Eve festivities are not without its hazards, though, as asthma suffers often find themselves opting to stay indoors to seek relief from the smoke.

Mishandling of fireworks often results in a few cases of minor, and sometimes major, burns among unattended youngsters and careless adults. 

* * * * * 

Not too many people were out walking or jogging this morning. It seems that everyone might be recovering from the wild festivities of the night before. Hangovers, perhaps?

No drunken parties for us.  Hubby and I were in bed shortly before midnight and simply wished each other a happy new year with a kiss and a prayer to thank God for the blessings of 2001 and to dedicate 2002 to Him.

Mmmmm-mochi!
Another thing that I love about New Years is mochi. It's a Japanese tradition for families to get together to pound Mochi for the new year. My husband's family used to do this annually, but as the elders are growing, well "elderly," it seems that the younger generation is not interested in continuing in this age old tradition.

I think that's terribly sad whenever a tradition perishes. That is how culture eventually dies. Of course, I'm a big proponent of perpetuating the culture of your heritage -- but you already knew that.

Now, grandma and Mom-in-law attempts to keep the tradition alive in a small way  by making mochi in her electric mochi maker which essentially looks like a rice cooker. Although it's not a big family event anymore, at least we still get to reap the rewards of obaachan & Mom-in-law's work and get some fresh mochi to enjoy for new year's.

My favorite way to eat mochi is to fry it in a pan with some cooking oil over low heat. 

I never ate fried mochi until I married Hubby. My family doesn't pound mochi -- I don't know if it was because we couldn't afford to buy the equipment or what.  Or maybe it's just not an Okinawan thing?

I learned to fry mochi by watching Mom-in-law. So here's how you do it.

1) If your mochi is frozen (yes, it keeps well in the freezer!), I would recommend thawing it first. However, it's not completely necessary -- it just takes longer to cook if you don't thaw. Personally, I'm impatient.

2) In a frying pan, put a small amount of oil and heat.

3) Add your mochi to the heated pan. Keep on low heat. I usually cook it on 2-3 -- sometimes on 4, but not for very long. The mochi will burn on the outside before it cooks the inside if you turn the heat up too high.

4) In the meantime, mix some kinako (ground roasted soybeans) and sugar together. 

This is the hardest part. There is an science to this and I can't tell you what the proportions are. I do it by taste and I have a very hard time eyeballing exactly how much sugar to add. I always end up having to taste it about 3 times before I get it right. It almost seems like it's 2/3 sugar and 1/3 kinako. This should be done to your taste.

5) Keep a close eye on your mochi, make sure that it's not burning. It should turn brown (not black!) and the outside will be firm and crispy. Flip it over to fry the other side. 

When both sides are done, it should look like the photo. 

6) Sprinkle some of your kinako concoction into the bottom of a small bowl. Top with your fried mochi. Serve and enjoy!

The outside should be crispy and the inside should be soft.

You're sure to enjoy this new year's treat!

Ozoni, Mochi Soup. Another tradition at Hubby's family's house is partaking in Ozoni, Mochi Soup.

Mom-in-law faithfully makes this tasty soup for the immediate family each year on the morning of January 1. Aside from the traditional belief that partaking in the soup will bring good fortune to you, it's also very delicious.

Unfortunately, Hubby had to work today so we weren't able to join the family in the morning; but we were able to meet up with them this evening. It just wouldn't be the same if we missed Ozoni on New Year's day.

I asked Mom-in-law what was involved in making the soup and she said that it's actually quite simple.

Here are the ingredients:

- Chicken Broth
- Hokigai Clams (Surf Clam) - very expensive, usually $14/can
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Kamaboko (pink & white fishcake)
- Mizuna
- Mochi
- Shoyu to taste
- You may also add pieces of chicken (optional)

Simmer ingredients together, add mochi as you are ready to serve. Cook until mochi is soft. The result is absolutely delicious!

Now our new year's day celebrations is complete! 

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

"The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."
- Isaiah 52:12 

:::::::

::Byte Me::
Breakfast: Vienna Sausage cooked in Shoyu + Sugar, White Rice
Lunch: Leftover Turkey Meatloaf, Tossed Greens, White Rice
Snackage: Fried Mochi with Kinako
Dinner: Kal-Bi, Macaroni Salad, Tossed Greens, and White Rice
Post-dinner munchies: New Year's Ozoni (mochi soup) - 2 servings

::Bits 'n' Bytes::
Weather:  Clear and cloudless. The perfect Hawaiian day.
Body in Motion? Walked 1 mile this morning; ran 1.5 miles this afternoon; 3 reps of 20 on the Ab Slide.
Mood: Fat & Content
Listening to: The sound of the birds chirping outside.
Link o' the day: Rice Bowl Journals now has a discussion board! So go put in your 2 cents!

::Gratitudes::
» I'm grateful that all of my friends and family are happy, healthy and safe this new year.

::Show your Love::
Please be a dear and take a dinner mint or indulge yourself a few grains from the rice bowl before you leave. Your clicks help to rank me higher on those two journal directories and that makes me happy. :)