October 24-30, 2005
Hey everyone once again!
Hope you are al doing well and staying safe.
Again this week it is sad to say that more terrorists have atacked again! This time in India. There is not much else I can say on this apart from the fact that world governments need to come together to continue this bloody fight against terrorism.
Anyways on a lighter note I have had another great week....would love to hear how everyone else is going.....
Last Monday and Tuesday I spent the days at uni and at home (studying) - after a busy weekend I really needed to catch up on it all!
On Wednesday 26th I took a bus to Hakone to visit Kazuya - Hakone is about 2 hours South-East of Tokyo. I went on a cruise of the Ashino Lake with him - it was a cloudy, misty day, which really made the lake and surrounding mountaineous areas feel very mysterious. We went to a beautiful temple and shrine which was located in the mountains. After a yummy lunch we went to an "onsen" or hot spring. It was really nice to relax in the springs - the water is so good for your body - it is very very relaxing. Anyone who ever comes to Japan should try the hot springs - they are located all over the country. Japanese hot springs are amongst the best in the world, alongside ones in New Zealand and Costa Rica.
I came back on the bus on Wednesday night - it was great to spend the day with him!
On Thursday 27th I again had uni all day - nothing much to report really. Same again on Friday - because I have dropped one of my classes - Economic Development - because of too much maths (!!), I finished early at 4pm. I have managed to pick up a few students to teach English to. This is through a website I applied at on the Internet. So far I have managed to pick up 2 students. So on Friday night I met Yuki (he is a 17 year old high school student) who has excellent English pronunciation. So I coached him for 4 hours and then he introduced me to his ex-English teacher. Her son wants to learn English so I will be teaching him too from next week.
It's great cause I get aid cash in hand and I usually get the equivalent of about $30 per hour!
On Saturday 29th I went to watch Waseda play Keio University at a baseball match. Although the game didn't start until 1pm, we had to arrive there at 9am and participate in all of the cheers and chants that are so strong at Japanese baseball games! Waseda eventually won 5-2 in the end so we were all happy! The amount of chanting and traditional-like ceremony of the game is very strong - mascots and flags, bowing and mutual respect of each of the participating teams - something that isn't really seen so much in Australia.
Following the game, we all went out for dinner and then went to a Halloween Party which started at 12am!! I had a number of drinks and a fantastic time mingling with my Waseda friends and some Japanese people I met. I got the first train home at 5.30am - and slept most of today!!!
Went out for a late lunch with a friend this avo and have come back home now to do some study etc
The next 10 days are a breeze for me really - only one class tomorrow and Tuesday and then my usual Wednesday off. Thursday is a National Holiday - Culture Day and then Friday is our University's Annual Festival - so I have no class at all!!
Kazuya is coming to see me this Thursday and Friday so we will do a number of sightseeing things no doubt!
Anyways until I write again, take care everyone and keep in touch
Tim
xx
Hope you are al doing well and staying safe.
Again this week it is sad to say that more terrorists have atacked again! This time in India. There is not much else I can say on this apart from the fact that world governments need to come together to continue this bloody fight against terrorism.
Anyways on a lighter note I have had another great week....would love to hear how everyone else is going.....
Last Monday and Tuesday I spent the days at uni and at home (studying) - after a busy weekend I really needed to catch up on it all!
On Wednesday 26th I took a bus to Hakone to visit Kazuya - Hakone is about 2 hours South-East of Tokyo. I went on a cruise of the Ashino Lake with him - it was a cloudy, misty day, which really made the lake and surrounding mountaineous areas feel very mysterious. We went to a beautiful temple and shrine which was located in the mountains. After a yummy lunch we went to an "onsen" or hot spring. It was really nice to relax in the springs - the water is so good for your body - it is very very relaxing. Anyone who ever comes to Japan should try the hot springs - they are located all over the country. Japanese hot springs are amongst the best in the world, alongside ones in New Zealand and Costa Rica.
I came back on the bus on Wednesday night - it was great to spend the day with him!
On Thursday 27th I again had uni all day - nothing much to report really. Same again on Friday - because I have dropped one of my classes - Economic Development - because of too much maths (!!), I finished early at 4pm. I have managed to pick up a few students to teach English to. This is through a website I applied at on the Internet. So far I have managed to pick up 2 students. So on Friday night I met Yuki (he is a 17 year old high school student) who has excellent English pronunciation. So I coached him for 4 hours and then he introduced me to his ex-English teacher. Her son wants to learn English so I will be teaching him too from next week.
It's great cause I get aid cash in hand and I usually get the equivalent of about $30 per hour!
On Saturday 29th I went to watch Waseda play Keio University at a baseball match. Although the game didn't start until 1pm, we had to arrive there at 9am and participate in all of the cheers and chants that are so strong at Japanese baseball games! Waseda eventually won 5-2 in the end so we were all happy! The amount of chanting and traditional-like ceremony of the game is very strong - mascots and flags, bowing and mutual respect of each of the participating teams - something that isn't really seen so much in Australia.
Following the game, we all went out for dinner and then went to a Halloween Party which started at 12am!! I had a number of drinks and a fantastic time mingling with my Waseda friends and some Japanese people I met. I got the first train home at 5.30am - and slept most of today!!!
Went out for a late lunch with a friend this avo and have come back home now to do some study etc
The next 10 days are a breeze for me really - only one class tomorrow and Tuesday and then my usual Wednesday off. Thursday is a National Holiday - Culture Day and then Friday is our University's Annual Festival - so I have no class at all!!
Kazuya is coming to see me this Thursday and Friday so we will do a number of sightseeing things no doubt!
Anyways until I write again, take care everyone and keep in touch
Tim
xx
posted by Tim at 11:05 AM
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