Tonight I had a chance to taste an authentic Japanese household dish Okonomiyaki done in Hiroshima style. My dear neighbor Mr. and Mrs. F. and their little baby girl invited me and my landlord and landlady and roommate over for dinner. And as everyone got hold of the news that I will be attending graduate school at San Jose State University next year, my landlady surprised me with a lovely homemade cheese cake that is dedicated to my acceptance by the university. Words alone cannot express my gratitude.
In a nutshell Okonomiyaki is Japanese style pancake cooked with various vegetables and meat and seafood, splashed on top generously of Japanese mayo and Okonomiyaki sauce. The cooking is done right on the dinner table, as everyone can decide what ingredients to be put on. What delicious taste!

Our host Mr. and Mrs. F. are originally from Japan. They are in the antique/second-hand clothes and furniture trade. Their cozy apartment is furnished in a stylish 50's and 60's motif, in which every single piece of furniture was a result of a treasure hunt throughout Southern California antique mall and swap meets. They just had a baby about one year ago. She is such a darling.

On occasions as such we cannot skimp on the flow of alcohol. Every imaginable alcohol was at our disposal. To start out we celebrated with champagne, followed by Asahi beer, Japanese sake, California zinfandel and syrah. Of course, being a non-drinker, I abstained from but the champagne.

Everyone talked a great deal. The obvious advantage of living in a Japanese community is that I get to improve my paltry comprehension of spoken Japanese language. The conversation in general would zigzag between English and Japanese, and here and there I would catch a gist of their saying in Japanese. Everyone here is so incredibly nice and generous. At almost 12 am we thanked our gracious hosts and sauntered back to our apartment, feeling the sharp cold night air and watched the few stars sparkled above.
As I sit in front of my iBook and reminisce over our dinner party, I couldn't help but to feel a swelling of deep, sincere gratitude toward everyone that I got to acquaint since my moving here about five months ago. As much as I complain about living in Southern California, about how much I dislike living in the suburbs, I bethought myself as very lucky to have met the nicest people around. Being with them tonight made me forget my melancholy; they made me enjoy life.