yamaonna

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<b>Your Japanese Name Is…</b></font></td></tr>
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<center><b>Ren Kuga</b></center>
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Happy Anzac Day for yesterday!!!  Hope you all went to a parade or something!  And yay to my papa!  He was the wreath bearer (?) for his local RSL – check out the photo here – http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/guardian_forever/album?.dir=bc95&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/guardian_forever/my_photos

Well, as for happenings here…

Everyone is being really friendly!  One of my teachers arranged for me to have lunch with a group of her seminar students.  So we all went to a viking lunch   love the name!  basically it means all you can eat.  So Ive made heaps of friends from there, and the food was really really good too!  I have a thing for japanese sweets, so that went down well. I think my favourite sweet was sakura mochi, which I cant quite remember how it was made, but it was rather a surprise to have something that tasted like a flower.  not that Ive gone around eating flowers….  neway…..

Speaking of sakura, on the weekend the flowers were in full bloom.  I was invited to a society Hanami – cherry blossom viewing party.  It was held in this great park thats less than 10 minutes walk from where I live.  There was about 40 girls for the party, and we ate japanese ohashi (sweets and rice cakes, etc), and one of the teachers made this really yummy african rice dish.  (the society was the international culture society)  After eating we played a few games – ring toss and volleyball, followed by a stroll in the park.  Later that evening evening everyone went into town for food and a few drinks.  It was heaps of fun!  But a bit cold cause the wind was blowing.

Sunday I spent doing some sightseeing around Sendai.  I caught the Loople bus, which is a tourist bus that runs a loop around Sendai going to all the major sights.  It was really crowded, probably becuase it was the weekend…  Firstly I stoped at the internation center, cause they have a really good information center there, and to my delight there was this lovely stream with cherry blossoms by the side, so i spent sometime wandering around there.  After that it was up to the site of sendai castle.  Theres not much left there, but it has a really good view of the city, and being a beautiful day, you could see all the way to the mountains.  And then I went to nishi-park, the most favored spot for cherry blossom viewing in Sendai.  It was nice, but I prefered the stream more.  Now with the winds all the cherry blossoms are blowing away, which is probably my favourite time, cause its even more pretty!  Sakura are like snow, but a lot less cold!

Hopefully I will be able to put some pictures up soon..  Ive decided that I can afford, and do want the internet at home, so hopefully within the next two weeks I will be connected.  fingers crossed!

Apart from that life has just been studying or hanging out with people.  I have a small part time job teaching 2 girls english twice a week.  The extra money is nice, and means I`ll be able to do more things.

as for now, Im off to explore the campus, apparently there is a lake here somewhere…

The Flash dilemma…

Well, life here is going pretty well.  I am being kept busy and making heaps of friends (Im kinda famous in the dormitory…  everyone knows my name…)  but there is one thing thats kinda troubling me…  the flash dilemma…  atm, I am stuck using the computers at uni, which is ok, but they are insanely old, and running win98, and for some reason, my flash drive wont work on them.  its a big pain!  it means I cant write my emails at home and then bring them in to send, and it means its going to be pretty difficult for me to put any photos I take on the web.  it also means I cant bring anything home.  you see, they dont have writable drives here, and apart from usb, they only have floppy drives, and well, my computer doesnt.  its a real pain…  I could get the internet in my room, which would be great.  id never be bored, and i could set up an internet phone.  but, my budget really really doesnt allow for it.  i did the calculations last night, and Im living off approximatly 1000yen a day after rent and bus.  its do-able, but a very simple life…  hence the dilemma.  blah.

so, anyway, on to more positive things  ne?

Study is going well.  I have quite a lot of homework, but then this is an intensive course…  Yesterday I had my first feild trip for my education in japan class.  MG (miyagi gakuin – my uni) has a kindergarden attached to it, sort of as a prac for the education students.  Yesterday we went to have a look.  It was a lot different to aussie kindergardens in layout, but cool none the less.  And the kids were sooooo cute!  But the thing that I thought was really strange is that they had observation rooms from which you can watch the classes…  made me feel very voyeuristic, but when you think about it, its pretty logical since student teacher learn there.  but weird.  We will be going again next week to actually take part in a class.  Im looking forward to it!

Last night also (yesterday was busy…) they had a welcome party at the dormitory for all the new people.  it was lots of fun (free food!)  By the end of the evening I was being questioned all sorts of things, and being taught japanese slang, which I dont really know if I want to use…  (not sure its appropriate….)  I took a photo, but you`ll just have to wait till I can put it up

Apart from that not much else has happened.  I went shopping on the weekend (needed a little retail therapy).  I love loft its the best store ever!  I spent about 2 or 3 hours just in there.  so much cute stuff!  I swear, if I live here for more than a year, Im decorating my house using that store!  and I also found some cool postcards I wanna collect.  My room is quite bland, so tacking them up to the wall is a cheap way to brighten it up.  you can check them out here –http://www.graffiti_bunny.com  and here – www.ss.iij4u.or.jp/ sugizaki/indes.shtml  that last link is missing a squiggly line before the suizaki.  its not working on this computer…. grrrr……

on that note, Im going to try my luck with the flash drive again……

This computer is soooo slow, its driving me crazy…  so, I hate to say it but only the important ppl (ie family) will get emails today.

I cant believe this is the first time Ive used the internet since Ive gotten here…  we are trying to get the net in my room, but Im not going to keep my fingers crossed.  I hope I can thou, becuase I can set up my puter as a webfone.  which would be really really nice

So, sendai, well, its been good to me so far.  comming in on the plane was windy, and even thou Ive been on probably thousands of planes, it was pretty damn scairy.  Friday afternoon was spent at my new uni, which by the way is really really pretty, sorting out forms etc.  tomorrow I have to go get my gaijin card and sort out a bank account.  Thank God I brought a bit of money with me, cause Im not going to get any of my scholarship until next month… blah.

The dorm is pretty cool.  Im the only white girl there, so I get a few stares, but everyone is nice. the bathing arrangements are japanese style, so I get to enjoy a bath everynight!  and they provide breakfast and dinner, so I dont need to worry about cooking, except on sundays and pub holidays.  And most importantly everyone speaks to me in japanese.  usually.

I was introduced to a girl living in the same dorm who goes to my university.  shes a first year student, and doesnt know anyone else either, so we spend a bit of time together.  lovely girl!  shes studying languages at uni, but we only speak japanese.  I also have a tutor at uni, but I havent seen her to often.  shes helping me out with paperwork etc.  And I have made a few other friends at uni.  They have invited me to a hanabi party in a couple of weekends.

Speaking of which, the cherry blossoms are just starting to bloom, but its been pretty cold the last few days so i dont think they will start properly until next week.

The uni is really really pretty.  The campus actually has not  only a university, but also a high school, junior high and kindergarten.  Everyone seems to know everyone else. (I hate to say it, but I have been introduced to sooo many ppl that i have no hope of remembering everyone…)  Ill try and take some pictures and put them up soon.  but if all computers are as slow as this one, then there are no hopes….

um, heaps of stuff to say but I cant remember it right now. well then, ja til later!

This computer is soooo slow, its driving me crazy…  so, I hate to say it but only the important ppl (ie family) will get emails today.

I cant believe this is the first time Ive used the internet since Ive gotten here…  we are trying to get the net in my room, but Im not going to keep my fingers crossed.  I hope I can thou, becuase I can set up my puter as a webfone.  which would be really really nice

So, sendai, well, its been good to me so far.  comming in on the plane was windy, and even thou Ive been on probably thousands of planes, it was pretty damn scairy.  Friday afternoon was spent at my new uni, which by the way is really really pretty, sorting out forms etc.  tomorrow I have to go get my gaijin card and sort out a bank account.  Thank God I brought a bit of money with me, cause Im not going to get any of my scholarship until next month… blah.

The dorm is pretty cool.  Im the only white girl there, so I get a few stares, but everyone is nice. the bathing arrangements are japanese style, so I get to enjoy a bath everynight!  and they provide breakfast and dinner, so I dont need to worry about cooking, except on sundays and pub holidays.  And most importantly everyone speaks to me in japanese.  usually.

I was introduced to a girl living in the same dorm who goes to my university.  shes a first year student, and doesnt know anyone else either, so we spend a bit of time together.  lovely girl!  shes studying languages at uni, but we only speak japanese.  I also have a tutor at uni, but I havent seen her to often.  shes helping me out with paperwork etc.  And I have made a few other friends at uni.  They have invited me to a hanabi party in a couple of weekends.

Speaking of which, the cherry blossoms are just starting to bloom, but its been pretty cold the last few days so i dont think they will start properly until next week.

The uni is really really pretty.  The campus actually has not  only a university, but also a high school, junior high and kindergarten.  Everyone seems to know everyone else. (I hate to say it, but I have been introduced to sooo many ppl that i have no hope of remembering everyone…)  Ill try and take some pictures and put them up soon.  but if all computers are as slow as this one, then there are no hopes….

um, heaps of stuff to say but I cant remember it right now. well then, ja til later!

i bought love music angel baby by gwen, man this album rocks.

usually I like to pick theme songs, and for quite a while my theme song has been ‘I’ll be there’ by Incubus, but i think I’m changing to ‘What you waiting for?’ by gwen.  It’s so upbeat, I love the film clip, and it mentions japan 🙂  hehe

so here’s the lyrics –

What an amazing time.  What a family.  How did the years go buy?  Now it’s only me.

Like a cat in heat stuck in a moving car.  A scairy converstion shut my eyes can’t find the break.  What if they say that you’re a climber?  Naturally I’m worried if I do it alone.  Who really cares cause it your life you never know it could be great.  Take a chance  cause you might grow. What you waiting for?

Like an echo pedal you’re repeating yourself.  You know it all by heart, why are you standing in one place? Born to blossom, bloom to perish.  Your moment will run out cause of your sex chromosome.  I know it;s so messed up how your society thinks.  Life is short, your capable.

Look at your watch now.  You’re still a super hot female.  You got your million dollar contract.  And they’re all waiting for your hot track.  What you waiting for?

I cant wait to go back and do Japan.  Get me lots of brand new fans.  Osaka, Tokyo.  You Harajuku girls, damn you got some wicked style.

Look at your watch now.  You’re still a super hot female.  You got your million dollar contract.  And they’re all waiting for your hot track.  What you waiting for?

well, had my going-away (again?) party last night.  I think it was pretty sucessful.  10 ppl inclusive, which was great, I didnt want too many ppl.  And I actually paid for most of the party myself (something that give me a certain pride ^-^)

ive put the photos on my website http://www.geocities.com/guardian_forever/goingaway.htm

learnt never to leave my camera alone again around certain ppl who like to take random photos.  but I am kinda greatful since I didnt take that many photos myself.

mum was happy thinking that we probably kept the neighbours away

on other matters, got my tickets yesterday, so that was one worry off my mind.  monday I have to go and pick up my passport and visa, so thats the other important thing.  Been shopping a little too much, and my credit card is feeling it, but I should pay that off monday, and then I have to change some money and that should be all good.

speaking of shopping, check out this bargin I picked up for $10, very happy with this top ^-^

love it  (i am such a poser….)

“Frankly my dear, I dont give a damn” – the words made famous by Clark Gable in Gone with the wind.

Why do I bring this quote up? well, I had the rather disturbing thought today that I really dont give a damn about many things.  many many things.

mum is always on my back about the way I present myself. and at times I have said some very stupid comments along the line of “i dont care…” and shrugging things off.  and it occured to me that this really isnt very good

so, from now I intened to say “I havent really given it much thought” instead of the before mentioned phase.

but thats only half of why I find it disturbing that I dont give a damn about alot of things.  for example I really dont pay any attention to world news, because it really doenst affect me in any mannor that I can have a say in. (btw, i dont believe that one person can change the world, but they can make a difference – I will die happy if I have made a difference in one persons life, positive I hope) or even australian news.

but in my defence, I cant care about everything. no one can. and I tend to care tooooo deeply (yes, I know, manga is too much of an obsession for me… neway) and as a defence mechanism, I just dont care.  but now there is hardly anything I truly care about.

I think I need to find things I care about, not too many, just enough, and when I do care about something, be passionate about it, and put so much effort into it.  so that it is noticable to others about me.

another aim…

sorry, that was a really really weird post for me…  just keeping you on your toes….

Feeling much better, thanks for asking

just finished the emails that i wanted to send tonight, and though I have more that I need to send, i dont want to rush it, hehe, sorry if you are one of these ppl put on the back burner til tomorrow evening.  but I still have half an hour til I have to get in bed, and no desire to do so just yet, annnnddddd, I am trying my best not to read fanfiction, so I decided to write an entry.

Not sure how many days left til I leave, but its not much… 9ish, man……  and there are so many things to be done.  I will start putting clothes aside tomorrow, thankfully I dont really need to pack like last time – so many suits…  but the really scairy thing is I’m worried I wont get on that plane on the 7th.  I dont have my tickets, even the travel company hasnt contacted me to deliver them, and I dont have my visa…  and that one will be cutting it close.  I think I will ring Stephen tomorrow and see if he has any updates for me…  I’m really praying for all of this to work out.

I’m going to update my website with 2 more photos of the murder mystery nite, go check it out, even I’ll be in one of the photos

considering the time of year it it, this one thought she would grace you with the wonders of chocolate.  more accurately this one’s favourite types of chocco! 

my absolute favourite is caramello!

Caramello Koala is a delicious fun snack made from Australia’s favourite chocolate, Cadbury ‘Dairy Milk’ Milk Chocolate filled with a flowing caramel centre.

Australians have enjoyed Caramello Koala for over three generations and admired his laid-back attitude to life. Although Caramello likes to stay out of the limelight, children and adults alike cannot help but be charmed by his wholesome, friendly nature.

Caramello Koala has always remained true to his bush heritage and can often be seen floating down a river with his friends singing along to his favourite tune.

Carmello Koala is available in a 20 g, a Giant 40 g and a 40 g twin pack.

it has to be the best chocco eva!  mind you, 40g one is a little too big and sweet for me.  the easter mini eggs they have released are good too.

I love caramel, so snickers is up there

 and strangely picnics

not a fan of mars bars, far too sweet for me.

and then theres dark chocolate, i like that, so cherry ripes are in.

and turkish delights

oh, and cadbury black forest chocolate bars.

think thats about all.

This is about as easter its going to get for me.  have a happy one!

in other semi-related matters, have been fairly sick the past few days (hence have done nothing for easter and will do nothing)

I hate being sick.  really really hate.

that is all.

for now