Cherry Blossom Adventures

I have been terrible at crossing things off on my 101 things in 1001 days list this past month so am trying to get in the right frame of mind about being proactive for next month so I have chosen September 2008 as my month to do Nablopomo- and post to my blog every day for a month.

I can`t guarantee I will post something of substance everyday but hey, I will try! I guess it is a  matter of getting organized and making sure I leave time to blog everyday (Or at least get my act together and set up posts to be published every day!)

My aim is to get at least one comment on each post I make so you all better help me out with that!

In other news I saw the move “Baby mama” today and it was really funny! I hadn`t been to the movies in what seemed like ages and while there are a lot of good movies out at the moment, my friend Dani, who I went to see the movie with, had seen like ALL OF THEM already! No joke- I have no idea when she has the time to see all these movies but we decided it must be because she is just so much cooler than me* I also think, if Shun and I are going to go out together, a movie with no Japanese subtitles is not really a place we tend to go….cos he would just fall asleep.

*sarcasm is very hard to portray in blog form. Note to self.

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Ages ago Nay tagged me for this meme and I am only just getting around to passing it on!

I thought about this a lot and I want to pass it onto two people whose blogs I love to read because I wanted to choose one blogger based in Japan and another based in Australia because while I started my blog in Japan I am now back in Australia for awhile and I want this link lovin` to cross over onto both countries!

Firstly, a Japan based blogger who I love to read is TJ in Japan - I am pretty sure I found T`s blog linked off perhaps Sara or Nay`s blog or perhaps in the comments of another blog I read. I am a fairly new reader to this blog since she only started blogging earlier this year. I started reading this blog around the same time as Gaijin Wife`s blog. T is a fellow Aussie who blog about her family and life in Japan. Recently she was so kind and sent me translations of her wedding ceremony as she knew I was worried about what to do with our ceremony because there will be people there that do not speak or understand English very well! I do read a lot of Japan based blogs especially blogs belonging to other females with Japanese partners and this is, like I said, one of my favourites! T is coming back to Australia at Christmas time and I hope I get a chance to meet her then as she is from Brisbane too!

And now I am supposed to choose someone from her blogroll who I have never read except she doesn`t have a blog roll and all her recent comments are by people whose blogs I already read! So T if you are reading please link to someone in the comments section whose blog would be on your blogroll if you had one who I might not be reading!

Now, the Aussie blog I choose was also a tough choice! But in the end I decided to pass it over to Enny who I got to see last weekend when she was in town for Jen`s goodbye party! Enny came to Tokyo last year and that is when I got to meet her for the first time! It was awesome and she was very much like her blog! If that makes sense.

I found Enny`s blog through Jen`s blog which was one of my first non-Japan blogs that I read! hehe! Enny, who has recently just gotten engaged to her beau, writes about her everyday life and her family and what I love most about is that her obvious love for her family! She will be celebrating 600 posts soon so you should definitely pop over and give her some ideas for it and also congratulate her on her engagement! I was lucky enough to congratulate her in person last weekend!!!

Enny`s blogroll is quite long and contains a lot of blogs I don`t read so I did inni mini miny mo to choose one and I came up with Oh! How Lovely! ! I have never stumbled onto this blog before during my internet travels but it was a lovely find! Firstly her design is pink! I LOVE PINK so I am now in love! And the best thing about her is she is American which means this little meme will be going across three countries now (It may have already but I am not sure!)- So there you go! Australia, Japan & America. Perhaps she will pass it onto someone in another country! I am all for blogging in the name of international relations! I stumbled onto the about page and it says Jaime (blog owner`s name!) “Just a 20-something in Chicago trying to keep my head above water. Neurotic, over-thinking, shameless celebrity gossip addict, bad tv watching girl with expensive taste and no money but completely adorable, if I do say so myself.” - I will need to take the time to read more of this blog but her most recent post is about how your blog got it`s name so why don`t you head over and let her know how your blog name came about!!!

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I have a fear of falling down stairs. Yet I almost always run up and down them in particular those at train stations which are actually the stairs I fear the most.

In my last year of highschool I fell down the train station stairs while running for a train…I almost hit my head but luckily I didn`t. Instead I scraped all down my legs and blood spurted out every where…turning one of my white socks red. I am pretty sure someone stopped to help but I can not remember- I do remember been so embarrassed though that I wanted to die.

My boyfriend at the time was on the train and while he didn`t see me fall, his friend sitting with him did and apparently laughed all the way to the next station where they got off to wait for me since I would be on the next train. I ached for days! I ran into this guy last week (the friend of the ex boyfriend who saw me fall down the stairs) and that is when I remembered this and started to worry about falling down stairs again.

Another male friend heard about me falling down the stairs (A lot of people did- high schoolers are shocking!) and made me a cape with a star on it that he attempted to hand sew himself…He nicknamed me queen of stacks and I am sure I have that cape somewhere.

I fell down another set of stairs in primary school too and scraped up my legs and hands then too. Big concrete stairs and I still have a scar just below my knee.

But why is, even though I am so scared of falling down stairs, that I continue to run up and down them?

Does anybody else have any fears?

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I arrived in Tokyo on a rainy March night with way too much luggage and no Japanese language skills to speak of. My great uncles old host student met me at the airport- and she was the only person I knew in Tokyo- although It was technically my first time meeting her. She was kind enough to come to the airport and show me the way to my new home- my Japanese university dorm in Kichijoji.

The bus ride there went slowly and out the window I caught sight of Disneyland and then later, the lights of Shinjuku. I remember wondering why the buildings all had red lights on top. From the highway I also caught glimpses of love hotels although I must admit I had no idea what they were…

Cherry blossom season was starting but I didn`t know that until the next day….

It was after 10 by the time I reached the university dorm- we woke up the land lady (Kanrinin?) and she let us in but visitors were not allowed after 9pm so she quickly asked my friend to leave and there I was left with this little Japanese lady talking 100 miles an hour about how she thought I would be there earlier and how she would have to go through everything with me in the morning. But of course I did not understand her so she went in search of someone to translate- I met several people that night in my very tired state one of whom, Cat, is now my best friend and will play the part of maid of honor at our upcoming wedding!

My first impressions of Tokyo? Confusing, bright and wet. Oh and the toilets were weird although now I just think a warm seat is genius!

But it grew on me, and the first few months were definitely tough because I was constantly relying on people to translate for me. But my love for Tokyo started to grow and surprised me by growing and growing. I never wanted to leave.

And now, I am back in Brisbane, and I miss Tokyo. But I know I will be back before I know it, and then my love of Tokyo will continue to grow. Through each 100 yen store I discover and each cherry blossom tree I stand under and each izakaya I visit- I know that my impressions of Tokyo and Japan will continue to change …….but my first impressions of the city will never be forgotten.

What are your impressions of Tokyo? Did your first impressions change into something else? Maybe you have never been there but have an impression anyway that you might like to share?

This was written as part of the Japan Blog Matsuri-Impressions of Tokyo!  For more information check out this site and this site!

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The Ekka, or the Royal Queensland Show (Formally Brisbane Exhibition which is where the name “Ekka” came from- This is Australia after all and all words must be shortened!), occurs every year in Brisbane in August just as the westerlies start to blow! Guess what there is even a Wiki about it here.

I hadn`t been to the Ekka in years and years. Not since I was in primary school I think (Although I used to to go the Strawberry Festival most years and my mum just used to tell me it was the Ekka) and I thought it would be an experience that Shumpei shouldn`t miss. So last Tuesday off we trundled to the Ekka after work and school.

First stop was the animal area (Animal Nursery)- where Shun got to see lots of farm animals up close and personal- I don`t think he was overly impressed with the smell but I loved it (not so much the smell, more the animals!)

I found out that Shun doesn`t like goats- cos when he was in kindergarten a goat ate his name badge (It would of probably been shaped like a cherry blossom as most Japanese kindergarten badges are- I think it would of been better if it had eaten his yellow kindergarten hat!)

We saw some crazy birds- chicks hatching and also ducks with funny hair cuts. This one even won an award!!! Shumpei also enjoyed walking around looking at the giant cattle (and I mean GIANT!) and saying “mmmm…aussie beef” (I apoligise to vegetarians/vegans and rawists!)

Next stop was the Ferris wheel- which we paid $8 for the chance to ride on- It was fun though! We also had a walk around side show alley and the showbag pavilion (I got a small freddo bag!)

As it started to get dark, and cold, we had a quick dinner and went into the arena to watch the monster trucks, truck races, polo, motercross (This was surprisingly awesome!), parachuters and then finally the fireworks. The fireworks in Australia don`t really compare to some of the firework shows I have seen in Japan but there is something about fireworks that brings the kid out in everyone I think!

I am really glad we went because we did have a great time and the fact we could sleep in on Wednesday due to the Ekka public holiday was also a big bonus ( I slept til about 2pm!).

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I went shopping with my mum today to look at wedding dresses and my observations were-

1. A lot of wedding dress shop assistants are very snooty and that pisses me off.

2. White is not my colour

3. There are some REALLY ugly wedding dresses out there.

4. Black underwear is not the right choice when going to look at and try on wedding dresses!

Today`s shopping adventures made me realize that getting my  wedding dress made might be the better option because while I don`t really know what I want or what I like I definitely know what I don`t want and like! And I have a couple of things I do like which I suppose could be put together to make a nice dress!

Today`s shopping did bring me home with a new pair of boots (40 dollars!!!), some new underwear and an awesome grey dress!

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I am a little late getting around to this, as usual! I managed to get a little bit done in July though so better update!!!

For my 101 things in 1001 day list and progress check here

22. Have a meeting with organizer at wedding and reception venue

We did this after Shumpei arrived! It was nice to see the venue and meet the lady that will be helping us get everything together. Shangri-la is lovely and I am really happy with it! Shumpei liked it also, and the best thing there is a hotel on site for international guests (and for us on our wedding night!)

26. Choose and buy wedding rings

We have choosen our rings and have started paying them off!!! Mine is designed especially to fit with my engagement ring so it will have diamonds and blue diamonds in it to match! My something blue will be my engagement ring (then wedding ring!) and Shumpei chose his by looking at a lot of pictures! He was especially happy when they told him it wouldn`t change colour in an onsen! hehehehe! This should actually be in August since we only did this last week?! Oh well it is written now!

27. Get marriage license/Celebrant

I changed this to celebrant because apparently you don`t get a marriage license as such in Australia but our celebrant who we met and choose last month (July!) does all our paperwork for us! It was great to cross some more things off the to do wedding list! Our celebrant is awesome- we are both so happy with her. She is just so nice!

31. Lose 5 kilos (5/5)

Done! Although haven`t been so good in the last couple of weeks but will be back on track from tomorrow. I promise! I have lost more than five kilos so far- yay!

37. Learn 10 new recipies (5/10)

I learnt another two recipies this month. Both were weight watchers chicken recipies that even my dad and Shun liked so that was good! I would do both of them again!

40. Learn how to keep a hula hoop up for more than 2 minutes

I can do this now- In fact I can probably keep it up for 15 mintutes or so without it falling!!! Yay for me!
41. Learn how to do at least one cool hula hoop move!

While I am not very good I can spin the hoop around my knees and neck and I can also bring the hoop from my waist up above my head around my hands although I can`t get it back down?! Working on that now! I can also spin around while hooping and move around too- I am gradually getting a little better so am happy!

47. Knit something other than a scarf successfully

I knit a baby hat! If you go back a couple of blog posts you will see it! I also knit booties but they didn`t turn out so great so I decided not to send them to our friend who had a baby- I will probably give them to my cousin for her dolls!!! It has made me want to get a bit more adventurous- I am thinking of trying to make an adult hat next- any good patterns?

59. Make sure dad buys a dog

Done! We now have Abbey-chan at home with us and she is delightful! Today we went to a dog park and let her run around with 21 other dogs! It was great fun and we are so lucky that it is within walking distance of our house!!! We all went this afternoon (Shun, me and Dad) and we will definitely  be taking her again. She also had her first vet appointment (since she has been with us anyway) and was very brave! I think she has a crush on the vet!

77. Keep journal going for at least a year

Done- and I will continue to keep it!!! I don`t write everyday but there are at least a couple of entries a week, most of which I usually write on the train on my way to or from work!

99. List 101 things that make me happy

I did this in my journal- I will post it one day on here!!!

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In an effort to improve on my writing I have decided to sign up for Encyclopedia of me which started over at Bella Dia (and which I found out about by reading Laura`s blog here...)… I have noticed though that participating in this has not improved my writing at all and I am way behind really because I should be trying to do at least one a week- oh well, hopefully I will try to get it done by the end of the year!!!

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Q is for Questions & queries…

Well I opened up my blog to questions in my last post and got nothing (Except for Nay who asked who I went hooping with- that was Jen, Jac and Jey!) . So……….I thought I could look at questions that people have asked and then landed up on my blog- I saw someone else do this and I think it was here but I could be wrong! If you think I stole it from you, contact me and I will put your link here also!!!

how to use a journal to do lists?

I find putting pen to paper helps. And a check box next to each item is great too- Better than crossing off because a nice little neat cross or tick in the check box is so much nicer!

How to grow up cherries?

Sorry? Not actually sure how to grow cherries or how to grow up to be one- try wikipedia because when all else fails that is where I go!

How to get to work?

If you gave me your starting and end point I could probably help- perhaps try train, bus or ferry! Car might also do the trick! Or get your daily excersise and walk or ride to work!

Lyrics to “This is our school”?

Try googling again but I know the first couple of lines are- This is our school, let peace be found here, may the rooms be filled with something something something!

 How to get a Japanese boyfriend?

Good question- um, go to Japan? Learn to speak the language and try and go to a uni or club or something with lots of Japanese people! I have heard mixi is good too! hehe! I met mine through a friend?!

How long do cherry blossoms last?

About 10 days to 2 weeks!

I thought I would find some more interesting questions that people would of asked to get to my blog and I could of included more that sounded like questions but I thought it best to only include those with question marks in them (that is the question definer after all!!!hehe)- Pretty much ALL searches/queries that lead to my blog are about cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom weddings, where to see cherry blossoms, types of cherry blossoms, cherry blossom scented stuff etc etc. Some other really random searches/queries that landed on my blog are listed below!

-picture of a possom (Try google images!)

- to do list of adventures (Try 1001 things you should do before you die- or it is called something like that)

- pee cone (This relates to one of my very early posts!)

- napisan in Japan (This search actually led to some people I used to work with finding my old blog at typepad- I guess everyone wants it!)

- +occupation+life+love+adventure+being (Yes I am looking for this too!)

- japanese cherry blossom shampoo (don`t know but that would be cool!)

- 25m sq room (Yes it can be done- we did it- for more than a year- I wouldn`t reccomend it though!)

- learn how to play mahjong (go to one of those mahjong clubs- it helped me- although it was dull!)

- I hate pack up stuff (Me too!)

What random questions and queries have led people to your blog? Lets see who can get the weirdest one!!!! Mine are not nearly as strange as some I have seen on other blogs!

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• ..thinking about how I have fallen off the weight-loss, eat well and exercise wagon- But I hope to hop back on this week. And apart from all the chocolate (and pizza last weekend) I haven`t actually been eating too badly. I didn`t go to weight watchers meeting on Thursday night and the week before I put on 100g- I am pretty sure I have put on more than that since then. I have stopped walking though and I need to get back into that- might have to meet up with mum after work and go walking with her. We can`t take Abbey on long walks yet otherwise I would take her with me- we do try to take her out for 15 minutes each day.
• …going hooping in Southbank tomorrow- so yay there is some exercise.
• …excited because our friend had her baby- a healthy little girl who so far has no name but I have seen pictures and she is adorable. We will be sending the package on Monday! When Shun found out his friend had been there for the birth he was surprised. This is a conversation I have had with him before telling him that he MUST be there when I have kids and it has freaked him out cos he doesn`t like hospitals or blood or needles or anything like that and I told him that if he wasn`t there then I would hold the baby in with my hands until he came into the room and his response was “maji de? sore ga dekiru no?” (Means “really, you can do that?”)- this has lead me to become slightly worried about what Shumpei actually think happens during the birthing process!
• …thinking about applying for a job where I am currently working even though I know I don`t have the skills to get the job I have been encouraged to apply because it would mean they could keep my resume on file for up to 12 months. But since it is government job it would mean having to do a lot of selection criteria etc etc and I am not sure if I want to spend my Sunday doing that. The current temp assignment is until September 12th with possibility of been extended.
• …thinking about what I should do for my Q is for in the encyclopedia of me- I had an idea and i scrapped it so am thinking of opening up the floor to all you dear readers, and let you ask me any questions you want and have a Q is for Q & A…I have done this before but hey, if you have any more questions then you can let me know either in the comments or via email.
• …aware that I haven`t done a July update for 101 things in 1001 days even though I have a couple of things to cross off the list. I will try to get to it this week!!!
• …also aware that I have not thanked all of you for your comments on the last post explaining the in and on to me regarding transport- Shumpei read the comments and now understands. Next time he has a question I told him to post it on my blog and let you all give him the answers so I don`t have to. He starts school on Monday though so hopefully he will be able to ask his teachers too. He is very nervous about starting school for two reasons- one he has to do a test and two he thinks he might be a lot older than everyone else. I doubt it, I am guessing the average age is about 25 and he is only 2 years older than that. I told him he should try to make friends but he is really shy so not sure how he will go- Hopefully he will be fine. I already told him I would make him a bento to take with him!
• …a little bit worried that when I go back to Japan things won`t be the same (within my group of friends etc there)- I was speaking to Cat the other day cos she rang me and it was so good to talk to her. I miss them so much and I miss Japan too- I recently saw pictures of them at the beach and it was so sad cos usually I would be there with them! I can`t wait to see them again!
• …thinking it may be time for bed! Goodnight!

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Shumpei has just made a good point-

Why is it get on the plane, get on the bus, get on the train and get on the bike etc

but

get IN the car?

Anyone care to explain- then I  can give him an answer other than ” sou iu mon da yo” which basically translates as ” just because it is” .

My other response to his questions English language related questions include “because English is stupid, that`s why” (I said that in English actually and he asked why I put “why” at the end of the sentence because shouldn`t it be in the beggining?) or “Ask your English teacher when you start school next week”….Please don`t think I am been cruel because seriously those are the kind of responses he gives me when I ask Japanese grammar questions (Ok well he says “eeehhh…sou iu mon da yo” a lot at least)

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