Thank you, Father
Following my column last month, with its theme of appreciation towards parents, I wish to write about my father this time, considering that it’s themonth to celebrate father’s day. As a matter of fact, I am unsure about his current whereabouts; I am not even sure if he is still alive. My parents have divorced when I was about 22, and he had decided to leave his family behind for another.
Walk With Your Head Held High
Here we are, welcoming the month of March; nearly approaching the arrival of spring.
There is a certain incident that always comes to my mind every time we pass winter, so I wanted to tell you about my story in today’s column.
“Will you be my Valentine?”
In Japan, boys are excited with the amount of chocolate they receive every year, while the girls are nervous to hand out that one chocolate to that special person. Here we have something similar, though one thing that is different is that boys can also give chocolates to the girls on that day.
I’d like to start this New Year with a thought of appreciation.
This year, I want to express the feeling of appreciation. Whether you are Japanese, Canadian, Québécois or from any other country, what we all have in common in terms of expression is the feeling of appreciation.
Dear Santa
Now, for readers with young children, have you heard of the “Write to Santa Program?” Every year, children are psyched and excited about what gifts Santa will bring. Why not ask them to write their wishes to Santa himself? They’ll be thrilled!
Before becoming Trilingual
I have to say, I allow myself to brag a little when it comes to the fact that I am able to speak all three languages: Japanese, English and French. However, I do have to admit, maintaining all of three languages require lots of patience. In each language, there are new developments with expressions and the way things are said so I constantly need to follow up on the new lingo.
Trick or Treat!
October is here once again, and we can only think of one thing: Halloween!
“Please remove your shoes!”
Like my last column, “Until I got used to the greeting kisses,” there is another issue I had a problem getting used to here: What is with the habit of going inside the house with your shoes all about?
Until I got used to the “greeting kisses”
In Quebec, saying “Hello!” or “Good bye!” to someone is often followed by kissing them on the cheeks (kiss☆kiss☆)! Has anyone gotten used to this yet?
“Ching Chang Chong!”
“Look mom!” said my eldest daughter after her return from kindergarten one day. “Ching chang chong!”, she says, “It’s Chinese. It’s funny, eh?”
“Chin Chin!”
A delicious and great scented wine was poured into wine glasses. Then, someone raised his glass, gave a toast and said: “And now, Chin Chin!”
The Tooth Fairy has arrived again!
My 6-year-old daughter lost a tooth once again. Here, we all know that children must place their fallen tooth under their pillow before they go to bed.
