Hmmm... The previous entry was posted in July last summer, and the one before that was written over a year ago. Guess what? We've been very busy in 2005!

Let's start with the work situation. My department went through several changes in 2005, and one year after joining Barclays I now find myself promoted to team leader. I have managed similar teams before, but this is the first time that I have played a key role in recruiting most of the members. Working with a group of highly motivated and talented hand-picked individuals is very satisfying.

This year has also been filled with outdoor activities. Among other things, we went kayaking, exploring underground caves in the mountains, apple picking, and fishing. We even purchased a full set of camping gear and used it twice already! Camping with Yumi and the kids is lots of fun, so I can't wait to go back.

Our friends from the Montreal Kendo Club and the Omachi Shonen Kendo Club will be happy to learn that we finally started doing kendo again. Chloé, Ryu and I went to see the Japan championships at the Budokan in early November with Kubota-san. It was simply amazing. We've been doing suburi every morning ever since.

As Christmas approaches, there is of course the usual flurry of activity as we prepare to celebrate the end of another exciting year. But there is something special this time: we're going to Australia for the holidays! This is going to be a beach and barbecue Christmas, and we'll be right there in Sydney's Darling Harbour to celebrate the arrival of 2006! We'll be staying with our good friends the Schirmers for Christmas, and after the new year festivities we'll be flying up to Cairns to spend a few days in beautiful Palm Cove...

Of course, I can't just write this kind of post without uploading pictures to go with the text, so here are a few shots that I took back in September when we visited Tokyo Disney Sea. Enjoy!