A Chinese Family (Photo: Ian and Hannah's Birthday Dinner)

Even though, I haven't mentioned my friend Hannah on Talking Barnacles before, she is actually like family to Ian, Yuki, and I. She often spends the night at Hatagaya Hills (the nickname we give our house) and then the next morning cooks us a late breakfast with lots of healthy vegetables to show her gratitude; she also gives us plants and flowers to make our house greener, which Yuki always end up killing; and she is the only woman who I can speak filthy to in Japan for fun because I know she doesn't mind. Unfortunately for us, like what most young foreigners living in Asia will one day have to do, she is moving back home to face reality, which I think is quite brave.

Good luck, Hannah. We will miss you.