This year, the Christmas day was special. Ann and Richard invited me for Christmas day -- it was fun talking all the political issues with them for we share the opinions in politics such as peace and the unfairness of tax cuts for the wealthy 2% -- only until 2012. I visited their apartment which is located in right in the middle of Boston. The apartment is warm and cozy with friendly people greeting each other whenever they happen to meet in the corridors, elevators, in the lounge, and at the entrance.
We went out to China town together. It was cold and the asphalt on the ground is covered with frost. There were people on the street but not too crowded. The restaurants, however, were packed with people waiting in line. We had a very special coconut milk dish called Bubor Cha Cha -- at Bubor Cha Cha, the name of the restaurant. The combination of coconut milk and sweet potato gives it some texture and savory flavor to it. We enjoyed the meal and the tea then took a walk in Boston Common and the Public Garden. There are people taking photos around the George Washington's statue. The lake was frozen and we watched the people skating on ice.
Then we got back into the warm apartment and we talked, on matters such as Cote d'Ivoire, Belarus, Hungary, etc. In Cote d'Ivoire, the aftermath of the presidential election killed 173 people already. In Belarus, the incumbent president was elected by getting 80% of the votes while 90% voted for the election. In Hungary, the government is trying to pose fines for the media which violated 'neutrality'. I told them that the Chinese president Hu Jintao's visit next month is worrisome. The Chinese president is known to take tough stances over Tibet. A report says whenever any leader meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the trades are cut off with China.
The White House announced President Sarkozy of France is to visit the United States on 10th of January. The Presidents are to talk about G8 and G20, which are to be held in France and in Hawaii, respectively. The US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has expressed concerns about French government's sales of Mistral's to Russia.