Before my Taiwanese friend and I went to Math Lab to study, we dropped into a Chinese cafe which is famous for their black tapioca tea. Although the black tapioca boom was already finished in fickle Japan, it was nice to have it. Hot one was also good.
Today was one of my Taiwanese friends' birthday. Since she said she's never been celebrated for her birthday, I thought I wanted to take her to dinner. She had been helped her parents' store since she was a child, and totally had no time to hang out with friends. Maybe now is the time to start her social life. :) We went to a famous franchised Japanese reataurant. The food was quite as "good" as the price. We took a photo in the restaurant together. She is small and very skinny, so I looked like a giant in the photo. ;) I wish I had a small face (head) like hers.
My computer class teacher is very nice. She is very caring for her students, and I don't have to hesitate to ask questions. From this semeser, I started visiting teachers' office in their office hour, because my English became a bit better to ask questions. My computer teacher is Asian American, and she understands my background of English ability because of her mother's broken English. I enjoy talking with her between questions. Today, she gave me several packs of sticky note because she noticed I used it a lot everyday and had superfluous ones in her house.
When I came home from school in the evening, it was very cold. She offered her coat when I was surprised at the coldness outside. The warmth of the coat was her warmth of heart. Since my poor jeans style was not suitable for her gorgeous coat at all, I wished I didn't meet anyone on the way home. But I saw a Philippino casher boy coming to my direction on a street whom I often greet at the Asian supermarket and pretended not to realize him. . .
Today, my host parents invited me to Chinese New Year's dinner at home. That was my first time to experience Chinese New Year. Although a dish of sea cucumber (its Japanese name is namako!) made me very surprised and scared, I enjoyed the entire cuisine very much. In Asian cultures, it is hard to refuse offers, and I tried the sea cucumber, though. ;) Since I chose the non-meal course, I thank their generosity every time they invite me to lunch and dinner.
They gave me New Year's money in a red envelope. They said refusing this money means refusing happiness, so I accepted it. In Japan, only kids can have the money on New Year's day, but in Chinese speaking countries and areas, unmarried people can have it. I shouldn't say how much in it, but the contents were also different. That's very interesting to me.
Here, I can experience Chinese culture too. This is exactly what I wanted. My happiness mostly comes from knowing other cultures, people, and places, such as Chinese, American, Korean, Vietnamese, Peruvian, and so on. I am so glad. I even think I don't really need other happy things in my life. I like it that much.
Unbelievably, sakura is blooming in February here. However, I am enjoying it anyway. Although I hadn't been interested in flowers until a couple of years ago, I now love any flowers!!
Sakura looks a bit different under the clear sky in California.
If you like dim-sum, you may like sweet rice cake. I love it. Today, my host mother told me how to cook it. She sometimes cooks it and gives me some. I also like the home-made one.
Today was my third time to go to Japan town. Although many of the restaurants in the town are owned by non-Japanese people nowadays, you can feel the history of Japanese immigrant there.
The presentation (speech) of the Apple CEO was so great. It was such a fun time.
However, some of user's conferences were not really good. I sometimes fell asleep during their time. But anyway, it was unbelievable that I attended those kind of conference and understood most of the contents in English!
I never imagined that I could go to Macworld expo in America. Long time ago, I went to the expo in Japan, but here is the original place. I am so glad.
Today was for the registration, though. The people at booths seemed very busy for preparation.
My computer teacher is Asian American, and she understands my background of English ability because of her mother's broken English. I enjoy talking with her between questions. Today, she gave me several packs of sticky note because she noticed I used it a lot everyday and had superfluous ones in her house. 
But anyway, it was unbelievable that I attended those kind of conference and understood most of the contents in English! 
