This monthly report shows that my life in Canada has already been six months. The temperature is becoming better for us that spring may come soon.

On February 6th, the famous Japanese drum group, drum TAO, came to Kingston where I live. They gave us fantastic performance, and audience were so fascinated to their power. This is second time for me to watch them, but at this time, I had strong proudness of them. They are lively Japanese tradition! I hope I can meet them again, next time in Japan.

I have Chinese friends. We have been friends since last semester. One day, they invited me to the Chinese traditional hotpot party. Japan also has similar food; however, Chinese hotpot was more interesting than Japanese one because the taste, ingredient and way to eat were far different. While I thought Chinese people have same taste, they have different like or dislike depends on regions. Almost all Japanese people can eat everything wherever they are, e.g. people living in Hokkaido can eat local food in Fukuoka, yet in China, people living in some region like very spicy food, on the other hand, some people in other areas do not, so that even if they travel inside the China, they have to consider about what kind of foods the area serves.

In the middle of the February, we celebrated Chinese New Year. Before I came here, I’ve never minded about the day. However, since Queen’s University has a lot of Chinese students, also Canada does too, that day was important. I think it’s like a Japanese New Year’s Day. I had strange impression for saying “Happy New Year” in February.

Last two weeks before we entered break week, I was very busy on writing an essay, a report and preparing for presentation and debate test. These are for our mid-term assignment. Compared with last semester, I think my writing skill has improved: I got A- on the last essay assignment. However, I still have uncertain things on writing, so I need more practice to solve it. This report assignment was pair work, unlike individual work, it needed cooperation with a partner. I’m not used to this kind of working style, I was therefore confused at first. My partner was so thoughtful that I finally managed. Speaking of presentation and debate, I did as well as I could. Although I nearly lost my mind because of nervousness, I could tell my classmates what my points was. I don’t want my mid-term results, but I’ll accept and think positively.

I have 9 days off as break time. On the first day and second day, my housemate and my friend left Canada for Korea and Japan for the sake of receiving master’s degree and getting a job. I keep my fingers crossed for their luck.