Wednesday, June 28, 2006

May 1-14, 2006










Hey all!

Well I havent written for 2 weeks - but I have an excuse!! I was away on holidays! Seems these days that I spend a lot of time away - and I do! Well I am trying to see as many places as I can, and whenever I have any extended time off from uni, I try and go somewhere.2 weeks ago Kazuyas grandma died, so he rushed back to Yamaguchi to be with his family. He and I had planned to go to Yamaguchi just 1 week later, but because of his grandmas sudden death, he left before me. So on May 3 I left on the train and visited my host family in Okayama.It was great to see them after 4 months since I was there last (when my mum and Karen came to Japan). Things havent changed at their house much; my host mum welcomed me as usual and took me to some nice sites.

I visited Himeji Castle, one of the oldest in Japan, and also went to the Shizutani School - now a historical site, but was built 300 years ago as a place to educate all the local country people. Very interesting place.Also met up with a few friends and went to the *Aussie Bar* - yes you readright - a bar run by a couple of Aussie blokes - great to go there and havea VB (imported!) and speak a bit of Aussie English!! I also visited my host brother at his new bar - he opened it up a few months ago and business is roaring at the moment.I left Okayama on May 6 and went to Yamaguchi to see Kazuyas family. They were such nice people and accommodated me greatly, even though they had lost a loved one just a week before.Kazuyas dad looks very young, and his mum is just a true fighter - she hasnever left Yamaguchi - she works hard all day long and attends to all the familys needs - typical country Japan housewife!

Kazuya and I had a great time together - he introduced me to all his family,and cousins and we had a party the first night I was there. It was great for me to visit as noone in the family had ever met a *foreigner* before!!!! Iwas the talk of the town! haha Kazuya and I went to the beach one day (nothing like Aussie ones!), and to a hot spring the next. Great to relax. We did karaoke, visited an outdoor restaurant, pitched under the trees and stars and ate traditional Japanese food. We also hired a car one day and went on a road trip to a small country town known for oranges and pottery. We designed and decorated a clay cup and visited a 5 story pagoda in Yamaguchi which is over 600 years old! I also tried some prawn flavoured ice cream - definately recommended!!

Kazuya and I flew back to Tokyo last Wednesday (10th) on a flight that had me a little scared - lots of fog at Hiroshima Airport and turbluence much of the way home...good to be back on the ground again!So the end of last week was busy for me as I had to catch up on a lot of homework - including a report and study for a few tests.On Friday after uni I taught English from 3-9pm - very tiring but rewardingI guess. On Saturday night Kazuya and I went out to a party at a friendsplace - the theme was *Mexican* so we enjoyed guacomole and nachos galore - really had a good night!And yesterday I volunteered once again, this time just a one-day event at a community hall north of Tokyo. Woke up early and caught the train an hour and a half away....worked with young and older kids all day, introducing Australian culture, foods, and animals, including showing them a DVD of Ayers Rock and The Alice. They were all thrilled!! Had a really good day, and loved playing games with them and feeling like a real kid again!This week sees the agenda packed - including some sumo, a few important meetings, a code (Da Vinci), study, teaching, and eating!!!

More news next week guys - keep in touch and let me know what you are all up to!Hope everyone rang or saw their mums yesterday for Mothers Day - I must admit I almost forgot! The beauty of mobile phones though!

Tim
xxxxx