Happy Lunar New Year!

First let me say, I do not know why I come to Coffee Time and use their wireless. They have the slowest link! Anyway, I am here studying Chinese. I am taking it again. I'm going to stick with it this time.

Last Sunday was the Lunar New Year. We went up to Vancouver for the Chinese celebrations. They say it is the biggest New Year's celebration outside China. It was a lot of fun. I was finally able to quantify one of the things I don't like about Portland. Portland is a very white city. I miss diverse ethnic groups. They are here, I know the Asians are because I see them at various festivals. I know African Americans are because they hang out on the corners where I live and I see them on the bus in the morning. But I don't really see anybody but whites at most of the things I go to. Before I moved here I had many hispanic, black, Asian friends. Here my friends are mostly white. Vancouver, Seattle, and San Francisco all have vibrant Chinatowns. Portland's Chinatown is dying. The city is revitalizing that area of town but all it has done is drive more of the businesses to SE 82nd. I get the feeling the city has it's own version of how Chinatown should be.

Well, I should get back to studying. On another note my trial period at work ended and I now have health insurance!! Happy Days

M