I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Did anyone worry about Y2K?
I was very happy to be with my relatives during the holidays, especially during Christmas, because the Japanese do not understand the real meaning of Christmas. To them, it is only a day when the parents give their children gifts. Mnay people put up trees and decorations, but they do not understand or know why they are doing all this.
For Christmas, my relatives and I had a quiet dinner party (I ate lots of fruit cake and drank plenty of hot chocolate) and at midnight we gave each other gifts. I was a bit sad during that time because it was the first Christmas I ever spent without my parents, but I was also glad because I could at least spend it with people who are close to me. New Year's Eve was pretty much the same. We had another dinner party where we counted down the seconds until the year 2000. Many people in Japan, including my relatives, were worried about Y2K, so they stayed at home instead of going out. Fortunately, nothing happened.
I really enjoyed the rest of the time I spent in Tokyo. I went to Tokyo Disneyland (for the third time). I also did a lot of sightseeing, shopping, and met up with some friends. I had such a wonderful time that I did not want to come back to Monbetsu. Right now, I am very homesick for Tokyo and for Florida.
Well, I have to go now. I will send another report in about a month. Hopefully something exciting will happen in Monbetsu so that I can tell you all about it. To the people who read this - Take care and do not do anything stupid!
Claudia
