I didn’t realize how long its been since I last updated. Not much has happened anyways. I’ve gone so fat lately. Not a good impression for when I get back to OZ and see my parents again. I’ve been totally exhausted yet I’m putting on weight. D hell. I read in an article that was titled, “don’t sleep enough and your waistline pays the price”. I think I’m one of those special people who put on weight when they stress out and not sleep enough. Well that’s what I’m sticking with for now anyway.


I made a new Jap friend recently, Akira, since Alain the bastard got a new girlfriend and no longer has any time for me. I found Akira’s email on a notice board and then went on a blind date with him haha I’ve been to a LIVE HOUSE with him as well as a Jazz bar. In person he’s a nice guy but via email he sounds a little freakish, he keeps asking me out every day and also insists every other day to come over to his room. Hope he ain’t a gaybo or something.

My first day off in 3 weeks next Tuesday, yippee! Was really looking forward to going to Japanese lessons again but its cancelled this week since it’s GOLDEN WEEK. Initially I had no plans but after a terrible incident yesterday night I now have a task, I need to go bike shopping because, SOMEONE STOLE MY BIKE!!! Out of the 100 bikes there, why MINE?!? I parked it in front of LA LA SQUARE and caught the bus to Interpark for work, 4 hours later I came back to find it gone, forever!! Now Mish and I no longer have matching bikes grrr how “annoyance”!! I got the tire fixed just only last week too when I hit a pothole and the tube exploded on me.

Was looking through the cupboard to decide what I should bring back to Australia, I realized I haven’t bought any clothes. Where did all my money go to? Strange…

Recently I’ve been super addicted to “You Tube”. I jump on to look at one thing and 4 hours later, eyes barely opening at 3am in the morning, I’m still awake watching stuff. Heaps of interesting links just keep popping up; it’s so hard to shut the site off!!! Arghhh

I got Gem to cut off my extensions the other day and he used a knife to do it!!! I think he cut quite abit of my real hair off coz my hair seems quite thin now lol...Anyways it's great to be able to run a brush right through my hair without any hesistations. I don't think many people have realised that I've got my extentions off...I guess my hair doesn't look much different without it...

Yesterday went out with 2 of my x students Yui and Arisa...we went to Saizeriya for lunch and went to the movies to watch The Holiday. I quite enjoyed it, but I dont know if they did because I dont think they fully understood it even with Japanese subtitles. Then we took purikura just before they had to leave to go to work.

I'm working today for Liam, gotta get ready for work now...

Visiting Yuuko in Niigata

Enjoyed every minute of our trip to Niigata and due to the fact that Yuuko, Nobu and Yuuko's family were the perfect hosts. They fully went out of their way to do everything for us which made us feel soooo bad. But, we had an awesome time! Yuuko if you are reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!!

As soon as we arrived on the first day we went shopping at Bandai City and Next 21, and later after Nobu and Yuuko finished work they picked us up from the hotel and whisked us away to the tallest building in Niigata where we enjoyed the beautiful night view of the city and and the ocean. We thought we were going to eat dinner there, but instead they took us to nobu's favourite lil posh japanese/chinese restaurant. The food there was yummy and the atmosphere was really nice with dim lights and music playing in the background.

The next day Yuuko met us at Niigata station (to our suprise...with shinkansen tickets she bought for us!!!). The plan was to spend the day with her family. We met Mayumi, Yuuko sister at this famous ramen restaurant where we had lunch and then later went to her house/farm where we met her mum and grandparents. They were all so hospitable. Her mum took a day off work for us and her grandpa had a haircut coz we were coming lol...how cute!!! Yuuko told us her family couldn't speak english at all but they were all not too bad at all. Japanese people are really too modest!! Her mum and sister then took us to see cherry blossoms at a park and then headed up this mountain place where we visited a shrine and took a cable car up the mountain for a view of Niigata and it's hundreds of rice fields on one side and the sea on the other. On the way back to the car we stopped for mochi and konyaku which was famous there and then headed home. Yuuko's mum prepared dinner for us and then we rushed off to karaoke after, where we stayed till late. By the end of the day we dropped dead of exhaustion but it was rather an joyous and eventful day!

On our last day we went shopping again this time with Yuuko but our main intention was to buy Yuuko, Nobu and her family something, which we accomplished doing in due time and we even squeezed in a shopping spree too hehe =) The clothes in Niigata are alot nicer than the ones in our area. Bought myself jeans, a top, shorts, 2 dresses, 2 bags, a lil wallet thing, a keychain thingamagig and a necklace. And this time no complaints...I like everything I bought!! =) At 7 Nobu and Yuuko saw us off at the station. We took the 7.19 shinkasen back home to Omiya and gem decided to go all out and take the shinkasen back to Utsunomiya from there which is like 3 times the cost of a normal train ticket!!

I rode past the river to work last week and they've put up these fish kites. I wasn't sure the reason so I thought i'd google it and Children's Day came up...but the thing is, it's not till May so I'm not sure if it's related. Anyone know?

Anyway, one of my students gave me another present a few days ago. She just came back from Canada and bought me these chocolates, etc. How sweet!!! =) She really loves Praise mayonnaise, so I think ill buy her some when/if I come back to Japan. I'm still thinking whether I should stay or not due to some circumstances at work. Perhaps you might see me back earlier than you think. I won't have much to do til January if I go back, but it'll give me an opportunity to keep an eye on my dad.

Last night we celebrated Preston's birthday at Toyo Bowling. He booked a few lanes and we bowled till they closed. I was really into it at the start but after the 2nd round I started to lose interest. The guys were too good and were killing it with strikes. I prefer competing against people of the same level as me. Believe it of not Preston got a scored of 200!!! Watta star~Anyway haven't been out with the nova crew in a while so that was good. I expect they'd be many farewell parties in the next few months since everyone is leaving.

Tomorrow we're off to Niigata for the next 3 days. Quite excited to visit Yuuko =) Going to meet her family and friends and visit her farm hehe...gotta go pack now and have an early night coz we're leaving super early tomorrow morning. ~ja

testing...

I LOVE THIS PROGRAM IT"S SO KAWAII!!!

The Hanami Festival

...is another one of the 100's of festivals Japan celebrates. It is now currently being celebrated!! Hanami means 'flower viewing'. It is most commonly associated with the viewing of cherry blossoms (sakura) from late March to early April, which bloom all over Japan. The blossom forecast is announced each year by the weather bureau, and is watched carefully by those planning hanami as the blossoms only last a week!! Japanese celebrate the Hanami Festival by having drinking parties underneath the sakura either during the day or at night.

Lucky I don't drink...

People whose faces turn red easily when they drink are more vulnerable to throat cancer, according to a study by the World Health Organization.

In research published in the April issue of the British medical magazine, the Lancet Oncology, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is affiliated to the WHO, reexamined the causal link between alcohol and cancer for the first time in 20 years, with the latest findings reflected in the study.

According to the study, alcohol, or ethanol, is the most significant source of cancer. While an enzyme called ALDH2, a kind of aldehyde dehydrogenates, plays an important role in breaking down alcohol, the study pointed out that people with the enzyme poorly functioning due to partial deficiency increase the risk for throat cancer depending on the amount of alcohol, by up to 12 times more than those with the normal enzyme.

- The Yomiuri Shimbun

...there goes the theory that turning red when u drink is a sign you're healthy Jules!!!

Lush

Apparently, it has been scientifically proven that smelling sweets can satisfy your appetite for them, which is very handy to know isn’t it? Especially for you LOZ! found that useful piece of info on the Lush website: www.lush.com <--the write up on each item they sell is pretty informative and really enticing!!! Check it out.

TAKING BATHS is my latest addiction!!! Now I realise what Sheils use to go on about!! It all started when I bought my first bath ball from Lush the other day and I had the most amazing bath ever...it must've been coz of all the essential oils and natural goodness in it...it was sooo relaxing and I had the best sleep after!! Most bath balls at Lush would set you back about 650yen (around $8), which is a reasonable price to pay if you take a bath once in a while (especially since it's all handmade), but if you want to take one more regularly it could get quite pricey. I can't afford to spoil myself, I've gotta find a cheaper alternative, but not before I try the Lush bubble bar slice!!! (pictured on the left) Anyway any suggestions?

Just wanted to start by saying...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY POO!! =)

Ok, now that i've got that out of the way lemme go on to say...You've gotta love celebrity gossip! Supposedly Miranda Kerr is going out with Orlando Bloom. What a gorgeous couple they make!! I still remember when Miranda was in Dolly magazine. I knew she would win the competition. There was some controversy about her age at that time about her being too young but now, a few years later, she still looks the same except now she's the next big thing in the modelling world, especially after appearing in the Victoria Secret show. I think she's really cute and sweet especially when she smiles with her dimples and all. Go the Australian Models!!!

...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKI for yesterday!