It wasn’t midnight (in Germany at least), but we did make our own mini celebration New Year’s Eve day.  An over-anticipated screening of the latest Mission Impossible installment, was salvaged by each enjoying an entire bag of gummy candy each.  Afterwards, we had tried to go for a drink at the Ritz Carlton, but the bar there was not that special.  So we hopped a quick S-Bahn train to Brandenburg Tor (or Gate) to find out that the Adlon Hotel was off limits since it was too close to the festivities (maybe we book a room for next year).  But two young kids having a good time, we made do and grabbed a hot cup of gluwein (hot, spiced red wine) and took a nice stroll before heading home to relieve the baby sitter.  But not before Chika had prepared some traditional Japanese New Year traditional udon noodles.  A tasty and happy way to end 2011 and head towards 2012.  Will be a great year for the family I am sure.