I'm reading your post with tears. I'm deeply touched by your last paragraph, actually I could feel your words. I'm an international student studying for a graduate CS degree in the bay area. The covid pandemic has made it really difficult financially for my family recently. Skipping meals has been my daily routine. I'm 6 feet but weigh around 130 pounds. Despite all these, I really enjoy coding. Like one of the other comment mentioned, I feel like being in the zone when I'm coding. Reading your post tells me I'm not alone. I wish I could go to Japan one day to meet you.
