Almost a month has passed already in this new year of 2009, but students from Asian countries such as China and Korea just celebrated Chinese New Year on January 26th. Although it is often called the Spring Festival, it is really the Lunar New Year. Since so many of our students observe this event, our school agreed to make January 26th to 28th holidays so no classes were held.
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in many Asian countries, and apparently the custom is to celebrate with one?s family, eating gyoza in the evening. Since they couldn?t be with their families this year, we decided to ask our students how they spent New Year?s Eve in Japan.

The conversation went something like this: Question: What did you do on the evening of the 25th? Student response: First of all, I sent happy new year messages to my family and

friends, and tried to talk to everyone using video calling on the computer. After that, I joined up with some friends here and counted down to New Year?s. It?s similar to New Year?s Eve in Japan, where it gets pretty lively.
Question: What did you eat?
Student response: Gyoza made from scratch. It?s tradition, and tastes so good!
Question: Does everyone know how to make gyoza?
Student response: I think so. ?             
and so on.
Eating gyoza made personally at home must be so special; it sounds like everyone had a wonderful New Year?s!