Keep that whole your life and never forget it!

It was another great weekend in Japan. I, once again, met with a great person here.

I was at Kobe, it's a bright sunny day and very cold, this trip was one of my host family's plans. There in Kobe, I met one of their friends from German. Yes, she's the great person I have mentioned before. Her name is Barbara. She is Germany and has been lived in Japan for 28 years long.

We were getting close in a short time. We did hiking together at Kobe Mountain which called Nunobiki area. There's a beautiful herb garden at the top of the mountain. I really enjoyed my time with her. We were talking a lot of things. Then, she told me about New Year ceremony in Japan, after that she asked me "Do you celebrate New Year in special way?" And I gave her answer, "No. Nothing special for New Year but I do have something special in Chinese New Year." And after that, of course she asked me what I usually do on that day. I told her everything I do and my family does on that day. She looks interested in my stories and keeps asking until she found the root of my family. After she knew that, she understood the reason and leaves me a special word. "Please keep that culture whole your life. It's your culture, it's your blood, and it makes you unique. So never forget it, you have to learn that culture more and pass it through generations." I didn't know why, but I felt amazed with her word and reply her suddenly, "Yes. I will."

It's like I have made a promise with her.

After that I felt cherished and happy. Her words like want to say you are interesting because you are different. I really like someone who think to be different is beautiful.

Thanks to you Barbara and of course my host family who met us up.