A Happy New Year!

I think it is very quiet in Kingston since some students went back to their own county. The memories that I have of time spent with students from last session are really unforgettable to me. I already miss them very much. I learned a lot of things from them. Last session, my classmates consisted of half foreigner and half Japanese. This situation gave me many experiences and some challenges. I discovered many differences about their nations, cultures, and languages from mine. It was hard to communicate with them at first, but now I can say I’m used to it. Next session I will be able to handle some challenges better than I did.

On the other hand, I saw many pretty Christmas decorations that I have never seen in Japanese neighborhoods or downtown. These things made me very happy.

For a week during winter break, I stayed in Ajax where my host-mother’s family lived. I spent a traditional Christmas with the family and my host-mother. In fact I was nervous about spending time with a new family. But they were very nice to me and I could felt very comfortable. I met two boys who are host-mother’s grandsons. They are very adorable and I was very impressed with a Canadian Christmas. On early Christmas morning, my host-mother and her grandsons woke me up and said “Yukari! Get up! Santa came and he gave something to you, too!” It was unexpected, so I was very excited. I experienced the most amazing Christmas ever. On Christmas day we ate a big turkey dinner that was very delicious dinner. All the meals were appetizing, not only Christmas dinner. Other things I did with the family were shopping at a mall and walking around the neighborhood with dogs and children, playing with many toys with the boys. I’m really appreciated everyone that I met there.

On New Year’s Eve, I went to an event with my friends that were held in the downtown. We watched some fireworks and music concert. I invited my friends to my host-home and we watched the TV for New York City count-down and music. That was so much fun.

The winter session will be starting soon. I’m really looking forward to meeting new students, my new classes, and having new experiences in Canada. I have just eight months that I can stay in Canada. I’m going to try to study harder and have as much FUN as I can :)