Spring 2013

It is my second spring in Japan. I look forward to this season very much; the cool weather, the beginning of another season and sakura viewing. To be honest, I haven't been to many places for sakura viewing and this time around I went to Ueno park again to take pictures of the sakura. The pictures turned out to be satisfactory but I did not have a close up shot that I was happy with.

Last week, however, when a classmate of mine decided to view Mt Fuji, I came across a sakura tree not far from Fujisan station. It was very windy that day and I had my camera with me. I thought to myself, the winds are too strong and I cannot possibly take pictures of that beautiful tree. As I was approaching the tree however, the winds died down, as if saying to me "go ahead, snap away". The skies were so blue that day and it provided a great contrast to the soft pink blossoms. 

I wish my family was here to view the sakura with me. We could just sit under the trees, drink, eat and be merry. I miss them.

School starts tomorrow!

The textbooks materials used in 2012

Time sure passes by when you are having fun. But somehow this school holiday feels longer than the last few. I think it was because Hombu Dojo was closed after Christmas and did not reopen for training until 6th January 2013. Sure I had things to do to keep me occupied but I would rather go back to training than to stop training for so long. Actually it was also because I wasn't training much in the last 2 months of the year due to preparation for JLPT and end of term exams. But anyway I think the senseis and everyone at Honbu Dojo deserve a good break from a year of hard work. I appreciate the fact that their work, unlike most of ours, are very physically demanding. 

I woke up today from a dream where a teacher from school informed me that I was one of the 4 students who failed the end of term exams. Upon hearing the news I went and sat in a corner, stunned and speechless whilst the others carry on with the lesson. I will find out if it is true soon enough.

The house is now quiet due to the return of a very chirpy housemate to her home country. I will miss the times I had with her but she has a family to return to and one year away from them is long enough. But the thought of school starting once again tomorrow really excites me. Back to the routine of school and training. Yaaay! I have also some other plans in store for this year and I hope to make this a year an even more fulfilling one. For a better tomorrow everyone!

Happy New Year 2013

It seems like yesterday that I came to Japan to live my dream of doing a one year stint in Japan to train in aikido and to learn the Japanese language. In the last few days of 2012 I recalled that I could barely speak any Japanese and was having a hard time going about with my daily life because there was not much allowance for communication to be done in English. And of course the cold. Now I could carry on simple social conversation and is more or less used to the weather here. But I still cannot believe that I made it here and completed a year.

Admittedly, I like the life here and can't get enough of it. So what do I do? I decided that I will stay here for another year! Hahaha. the first year has been pretty free and easy for me. I did not have a part time job and only spent my time studying and training (well most of the time). This year I would like to look for a part time job to gain some working experience here and also to earn some extra pocket money. I would like to do some office work but I know that my Japanese language skills are still wanting so I will be practical about it. There is one thing I would like to try out which is to work in a bakery. Baking has been a hobby of mine since a long time ago and I would like to have a chance to learn more.

For the new year I bought a tenegui that bears the twelve animal zodiac signs. February 10th will usher in the year of the Snake and I hope that it will be a great year for all!