まんげつ：mangetsu, meaning "full moon"

If you've been outside in the past few hours, I'm sure you've noticed that tonight is mangetsu (満月), a full-moon night. It's also the 13th full moon of this year, which in some cultures is called a blue moon. (Not in Japan, mind you, but there is a good song about the "blue moon of January", or ichigatsu no aoi tsuki, called Yasashii Yoake (Gentle Dawn) that you can listen to if you like J-music.) 

It's also the last night of the decade. :D

Please let me wish you all a cookie and a happy end to the year; I hope to see you all again in the first hours of 2010, and for many years thereafter. Cheers! 乾杯!

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

明けましておめでとうございます！