The Most Important Thing

I arrived here eight months ago. Last March, I went to a lot of parties because many of my friends had a party for me. I was so busy; for example, I had the party with my friends since seven years ago, that day, and I went to the another party with my university friends the next day. Therefore, I spent such a busy time last March. I thought that I had a lot of wonderful friends in Japan; moreover, they are so important for me. This is my third quarter; as a result, I could make so many nice friends here. My friends are from Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other countries. I really like them because I enjoy the time that I spend with them. However, I have good time with my Thai friends. They are my close friends; thus, we are always doing something together. I feel comfortable when I am with them, and I also feel that we know each other from a long time ago. Actually, I have been to Thailand five times because my parents and I really like it there. People who are Thai are kind, nice, and always smile, and food is delicious; moreover, the culture is interested for us. My dream is to work at a famous international hotel or to work at travel agent for foreigners; however, I have one more dream to work at the famous hotel as a Japanese staff in Thailand. Hence, I studied Thai one year at my university, last year. I think the relationship with Thailand and Thai people is something good effect for me, even though I do not know the reasons. In any case, one of my best friends from Thailand, he is going to go back December 8. He came here the same month to me, and he and I became good friends since our first quarter; as a consequence, I really do not want to think about that. Even when I write this blog, I almost cry because he is my best friend, and I do not know when we can see each other again. I just already know I am going to miss him. Friends are the most important for me. I love them so much.

My First Halloween

I experienced Halloween last week, and it was my first Halloween. When I was in Japan, I already knew about Halloween, but we don’t have Halloween in Japan. Even when I was twelve, in my English school, I experienced Halloween party. However, it was had a small party without costumes. Since last month, I could feel Halloween wherever I saw; for example, many shops, malls, and houses. They decorated with scary or cute looks. They were ready to Halloween. I thought that was real Halloween, and that is what I wanted. I went to Party City to buy a costume with my friends, and I decided to be a witch. Actually, I thought that I would be a French maid or a bee, but I was thinking that few students would be a maid, so I gave up on being a maid. Also, I found a bee, but that one was too sexy for me. That was why I was a witch. I was wearing my costume since the morning because my friends and I thought that that Halloween was our first and last Halloween, so we should enjoy it as much as possible. Moreover, I really enjoyed writing class because we did a special class. We made a story with our team, and that activity was so funny. After class, my friends and I went to the school party, and we saw so many of our friends. Some of our friends were scary, and others were so cute. We took so many pictures with them, and these pictures are my treasure. I had a really wonderful time with my friends on Halloween. I hope I can experience another Halloween again.

My Princess, Angel

I am living with my home stay family since I came here almost seven months ago. When I arrived at my home, they introduced me to many pets, in fact, a big dog, Kimba, a small dog, Angel, a cat Hana, the other cat, Franco, and a bird, Bravo. My family and I like living with animals, but especially, we really love Angel because she was cute and smart. However, in the morning this month of October 16, two strange big German shepherds were in out backyard and at the same time, we let our dogs out to there, but we didn’t notice about big dogs. The reason we recognized these dogs that my home stay sister, Erin, woke up because of the strange bark, and she went out to the backyard. After that, she found Angel was really hurt; moreover, of course, we were confused and paniced. My host mother, Dawn, and Erin brought Angel to the hospital immediately, and she was operated. She was almost died on Thursday and Friday, but she was fine on Saturday and Sunday. The woman from the animal control said that the big dog’s owner was our neighbor, but he told a lie about the event. He said that his dogs were in hid house at the same time, but Angel were in his house but Angel came to his home, and that was why the dogs bit her. On October 19, we went to see Angel to the hospital which is near San Diego; also, at the time, she was O.K. I think she could notice we went there to see her. She sometimes open her eyes, and sometimes tried to give a kiss to us. We were glad to see that she was getting better. However, Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, she died. Dawn, Erin, and I cried so much, and it was hard to understand firm the sky. We still love Angel. You are our princess.

Japanese Halloween

Obon is a one of most important festivals in Japan. The Obon Festival is kind of a Halloween. People think that sprits come back to their hometown during the Obon Festival. There are several types of the Obon Festivals depend on the city or town.
From August 13 to August 16, is Obon in my hometown. My family and I visit a grave and light a chochin in August 13. The chochin is a kind of lantern, so it is like a jack-o’-lantern. We go back to our house with chochin because we believe sprits follow the light, and they can find the house. After we go back to our house, we have a party. Our relatives visit our house in order to see us and say hello to the sprits. However, we usually have a special meal, for example, sushi, tempura, or sashimi. We talk about what has happened to me these days with that meal and alcohol. When I was a child, I was too shy because as I mentioned, many people come to my house, and they tried to talk with me. I didn’t want to talk to them. Actually, I tried to talk with them, but I couldn’t because I felt nervous. However, I like this festival now because I can see my relatives, and I can talk about my college, friends, travel, or other things. Finally, we light a chochin and visit a grave again in order to let the sprits back. Then we put out the fire at the grave and return to our home. The reason we put out the fire is if we have a fire, spirits can follow us to visit our home again. However, spirits have to go back to heaven, so we have to put out the fire and say good bye them.

Welcome to my blog!!

Hi.
This is Helen's 600 writing for the fall quarter at UCR extension.