Autumn Highland Blooms

Yes... That is my finger in the bottom left!

Happy Easter Everyone...

Happy Easter Sunday to everyone. I hope you had a lovely time with family, friends and loved ones.

We had a small family gathering, one amazing roast lunch and a lot of relaxing. Quite a nice Sunday. Thanks Mum, the pork was particularly delicious, as usual. The problem is that the pork is hard to stop eating.

Thanks to Colin for making this Pav. It was the first time he had made one for years. He was always considered famous for his pavlovas. This was the best I have had in ages. Absolutely delicious.

12th of March is a good day for a 'birth' day...

Welcome to the world Miss Emma Lauren Sherwill, born 12th of March - MY BIRTHDAY!
Emma is the eighth grandchild to our good friends, Margot and David. All the kids are so nice. Fun to play with. Hi to Sam, Katie and Jemma... And did you know, there are five princesses in their family... Katie, Olivia, Jemma, Emily and now Emma.

I am coming home...

Yes, that is right. I am headed back to Japan on the 28th of June for just over 2 weeks. It is only just starting to sink in - I AM SO EXCITED!

A Sneak Peek at my Place...

My creation, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

AJ's favourite movie

TOPGUN
What teen or adult doesn't love Topgun? So does AJ, aged exactly 5. AJ has seen Topgun about a million times. I thought I would blog and let you know two pieces of vocabulary he has learnt from the movie. Here they are...

1. MABRICK - aka Maverick or Tom Cruise

2. VODER ARROW - Meant to be bow and arrow and for some reason what AJ calls the missiles from the plane.

This is all very funny and cute as he will correct you if you get it wrong. Del, get ready for AJ to start writing and spelling things in crazy ways. I am sure he will spell words as he hears them and he definitely hears things differently than you and me!

Ha! I finally got rid of him!!!

1 Feb 06 042
Originally uploaded by superRelish.

Look, AJ started school. He is now out of my hair Monday to Friday. Yippee...

Actually, I can't wait to start school too. Have fun AJ.

We know him!

Go impress the world Scott!!!

A friend of my sister has been selected by the BBC to review the upcoming Oscars. Very exciting. Why don't you read along and keep up with the gossip too. Look out for Scott Williams.

A summer nap

Most cats in Japan seem to be a bit feral and mangy. This one was so sweet that I could have taken him home... kawaii ne?

A little flash back

Last April, I bought a bunch of slide film. The quality of slide film is far finer than regular film though more of a hastle to develop, view and gain prints from. I ended up with 11 films, so you can imagine the cost inviolved. I eventually received a lump sum payment from my time in Japan so I rushed down to get the films processed. Mum and Dad have a very retro slide projector and I have been having a blast looking through the 11 films that are almost one whole year old. They are all smack bang in the middle of cherry blossom time and a majority were taken in Kyoto (my fave place). I will include my fave shot within this post. Enjoy...

Here it is... A retrospective

I debated over doing this but here goes. I want to catch up on all the things that have been happening to me since I have been home, there have been a few sad occasions but mostly all has been busy happiness. Well at least here is from November to now...

SARAH - How lucky can I be. I knew that Sarah (a good friend from Japan) was planning to back-pack around Australia and New Zealand before she even left Japan. I knew she planned on coming to Melbourne. I knew she planned on sticking around for about 2 weeks but hey, that turned into about 7 weeks. See...lucky! The fact that she stayed so long for a guy doesn't matter... I feel lucky (and the boy is lovely). Sarah turned up just before I moved into my own place. She fell in love with my friends very quickly and became fast friends with AJ and Milla. She helped me move house (I will always be in her debt particularly as she made quite a bit of my furniture). She moved into my house alongside me and made a fab house mate. She even got a part-time job around the corner. She meet my parents quite a few times and spent Christmas with us. She even came to school a few times and helped out at field day. I regret that she worked every weekend as I planned lots of day trips but I am happy that she experience 'real' life here. Sarah, I hope a little piece of your heart will always consider Melbourne another one of your homes. You will always be welcome here with open arms and open hearts. We miss you!
HOME - I am now officially settled and officially a resident of Kensington. I couldn't be happier unless I owned my house and it was a bit bigger. I love living in Kensington. I am in the older area and my street is tree lined. At one end of my street are lots of cafes and 'trendy' shops and at the other end of my street is 'multi-culture city'. There are lots of different (predominantly Asian) restaurants and even an Asian supermarket that I can buy some Japanese food at. I love it. It will be hard to move from here when the time comes!

CAR - Well I bought Mum's car and Mum bought a new (well practically brand new) second hand car. I now have the last of the Mazda 626s and she had a new model Mazda 6. You might say we are both tickled pink. I love being able to jump in the car and head off to Benalla, the beach or anywhere I like. I am even thinking I could make it up to Sydney for a few days next holidays. Anyone want to come? Anyone got a spare bed?

CHRISTMAS AND VISITORS - School finished on the 21st of December and on the 22nd, Kyoko and Tomoko arrived. We had planned this visit before I had even left Japan. I feel so lucky to have friends who want to travel so far and visit me and experience Australia. Kyoko had the typical Japanese holiday and stayed with me for 4 days. She then headed to Cairns to meet up with her brother's family for 4 days. Pretty good really; Benalla, Aussie Christmas and Tropical Cairns all in 8 days. Tomoko stayed for around 20 days - definitely not your typical Japanese trip. She had the once in a life time chance to stay away so long. She probably won't get that again until she retires. Honeymoons are not even that long! She went off to Adelaide for 4 days and spent the rest of the time exploring with me. We had a wonderful time. I hope to get back to Japan in July to see everyone and for a friend's wedding.
Here is a photo of what we ate for Christmas lunch... YUM!







SCHOOL - Next year (well I guess it is this year now) has been sorted out and decided. I am actually going to be teaching in my old room with my old year levels. My school is multi-age and my class is a 2,3,4. That means my students are aged between 7 and 10. I really love this age and I am pretty excited. I am also really lucky to be teaching with an old friend, Annie. I know we will have lots of fun and laughs so even though I am not ready for the holidays to be finished just yet, I am looking forward to the school year.

SADNESS - believe it or not, I have attended three funerals since my return. All terribly tragic and sad but stories of pain being over. I had to say goodbye to my mother's younger brother after years of fighting cancer, goodbye to an ex student who was 14 and suffered a brain tumor and goodbye to my dear old uncle whom we thought would live forever but who's body just gave up.

HOLIDAYS - To end on a much happier note, I will think about some of the things I have done during these holidays. Many of my outings we due to sightseeing with my visitors. We had a lot of fun!
I have driven down the Great Ocean Road twice. Both times were just day trips. The first day I drove exactly 505km. We drove inland to Port Campbell and then back along the Great Ocean Road and stopped at every tourist attraction. Lovely but tyring day. I got quite sunburnt. The second day I drove along the road there and back. We got as far as Lorne. This day was far more relaxing and we even managed fish and chips and a swim at the beach. I took so many picturesque shots. I will post some soon.
I also managed to get to Phillip Island for a few nights with my friend Andrew. Now that was relaxing. Nothing to do. No need to do anything. Hot weather. Beach and fresh seafood. I wish I had stayed much longer.
Lunch out with the old school gang at Bimbo's. Great company, delicious pizza and Lucy is now home from America. What a great day!
I have also done lots of day trips out of Benalla. I am headed back there Saturday morning. A last minute effort to do nothing and relax. Too bad about the fire worries and stress. I hope each day for rain. We'll see.

So there you go. All caught up. I hope to blog a little more often when the thoughts inspire me or when something interesting happens. Please keep reading, spreading the word and of course, commenting. I have been missing you!

Too close for comfort...

The fires are big enough news to make it to the BBC website. Benalla is my home town and the place Mum and Dad still live!!! I am in Melbourne and whist we are safe here, we felt the brunt of the blackout yesterday. 40 degree heat and no air conditioning... head to the pool, I say!

As close as can be...

A photo from Mum's blog. The new Tatong fires are really close to Benalla but more importantly, really close to loved ones and friends. It just doesn't end. We sit here, safe in Melbourne, and complain about the smoke in the air. The smoke is horrible but worse is the danger behind it and the knowledge of where it is coming from. People are losing homes and farms. Native wildlife are losing lives and habitat. I hope it all stops soon.

So totally scary!!! The news just doesn't capture the desperation of the situation!

Smiling all the way to the bank...

Are blessed mail. The kind that isn't a bill. The kind where I don't owe more money.

A letter arrived for me today outlining my Japan pension refund. Now it isn't in the bank yet, but it is literally on the way. I will expect that cash to make it within the next week. Woohoo....fantastic timing.

I am so happy!!!

Are you still there?

Surprisingly, I am still here...

Where to start? Where to stop? I think I will try to do a quick over view to catch everyone up and then go on from there.

Firstly, I haven't had the net all holidays and I can't actually blog at school. So, I haven't vanished from the face of the Earth, I am still here and trying to keep in touch as much as possible. Keep reading and commenting so I know that you are right there too.

Miss you all...

Merry Christmas to all...

Mmmmm, mint!, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Just a quick note to say that I am still here but with a servere lack of Internet access.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas as I did. I was surrounded by my internation friends and family!

Crossed Fingers

Suzy suggested I enter a new, Japan based digital competition. Here are most of the images I have entered. Not sure what they will be looking for in a winning image but wish me well...
First prize is a million yen and an exhibition in Tokyo - yoohoo
Click on the image to see the photos more clearly!

What are you listening to right now?

I am listening to Monkey Magik. A group from Japan. Two Japanese guys and two Canadians. They are named after the cult 80's show, Monkey.
They sang the theme song for the remake of Monkey and became very popular. That particular song is good but so are all the rest.
I LOVE IT!!!

Pension Refund

Have any returned JETs received theirs yet?

Home sweet 'new' home...

As of the 17th of November, you will find me here. It is tiny but lovely!

Do You Need Your Own Space?

Kensington

Available: 17-Nov-2006

This funky renovated property is perfect for the singleton wanting their own pad. The property spans three levels and offers a modern fit-out and stylish renovation. Level one comprises entrance hall, generous bedroom with heating and floorboards, sparkling bathroom and laundry facilities under the stairs. Level two comprises the living zone featuring floorboards and electric heating with adjoining kitchen with stainless steel appliances including half drawer dishwasher. Up the stairs to level three offers a roof-top terrace.
(P.S. I didn't write that. That was the advertising spiel. Sounds cool, huh?)

Japan takes the cup!!!

Woohoo! Japanese horses ran first and second in the Melbourne Cup. It was neck and neck. The winner seriously only made it by about an inch!

Read about it here.

Steph, today is the day...

MELBOURNE CUP

Two of the faves. Tawqeet and Yeats. Tawqeet is from NZ and cost the owners a mere $1600 when they bought him. A really stunning horse. Yeats hails from Ireland. He is the competition. We'll see though. It could all be a big surprise!

My new camera (I mean phone)

Well it isn't all that new now but I did mean to 'blog' it... About two months ago I bought a new mobile phone. I went with the sony ericsson almost solely because of the high quality camera included. Let me know what you think...
Chestnut blooms in my Aunt's garden. Using macro on the phone...
A delicious coffee shot indoors with the flash turned off. Yum!!

A quick update

I am still here (if anyone is wondering). My life has been quite crazy... Just enough time to get on the net and glance at blog updates but no time to comment, let alone write my own.

So here is all the busy-ness in a nutshell.

Looking for acommodation. That is not fun. Places are grotty, over priced etc. You turn up for a viewing and no-one comes, or you turn up and there are a million people there. You lodge an application and hope for the best. As I said... not fun.

I have been running around trying to catch up with all those friends who are near and dear to me. I missed everyone so much when I was away and there are still several people who I am yet to see. Bad me...

School. So much to get my head around. I am still not fully back into it. Kids and work friends are good but my head (heart) just isn't in it yet. I keep thinking C.A.M.E.R.A.s...

I have also had lots of other things on my plate. I have two friend arriving from Japan for Christmas, Sarah (and maybe Kat) are arriving for their Melbourne adventure, I have had a funeral (I won't go into it but it was tragic and far too young - one of my ex students) and on a high note, this coming Sunday, I may get up in a hot air balloon.

So there you are. I am still here and love reading your comments. I hope there are some people out there still reading. I will try to get better... Post more photos...

See you soon

Clip clop, clip clop...

What a way to travel. Yesterday, I hitched a ride for the first time in my life... Well not exactly, but I was offered a ride by a stranger and I took it. So much fun!
I am living in Kensington right now and the very famous 'Flemington Race Track' is close by. That means there are lots of stables and horses in the area. I had walked to the closest tram stop to wait for my ride into the city. Along came two horse and carriages headed into town to work. I hoped that one of the drivers would offer me a lift. How cool to be up high and go into town in such a unique way. The second guy called out to ask if I was headed into the city. I said I was and he assured me that he was faster than the tram that was following. I hesitated a split second before climbing up with the driver. What fun...
I hope I can do it again. I guess I just have to be there at the right time. Try it sometime!

Oishikata (that was delicious)

Warung Agus ...

Ahhhh, what a wonderful meal. Last night we went off for our monthly get together. It is supposed to be book club and we are supposed to discuss a book each month. Half the group (including me) don't even read the book. Mostly, it is just a bunch of noisy girls laughing and talking about everything. We have so much fun together. I really missed that bunch whilst I was away.

Last night was Balinese food. I don't remember ever having eaten anything so delicious in Bali when I was there. The meal was fantastic. If you live in Melbourne, or if you drop by sometime, check it out.

PS... If you click on the link above, you can read more!

And the winner is...

Not of the whole competion but I am as happy as can be!

I won first and second prize in the culture category of the competition. There were three categories and an over all winner. I was actually more excited by the following facts...

There were over 340 photos submitted by 34 people.

They selected 34 images (three of mine).

Entries were from Tassie, Victoria and South Australia. All people were or are involved in the JET program that sends people to Japan to teach English.

First Prize

Second Prize

A cool new toy I found

Whilst surfing through some of the blogs I read, I noticed that one girl had a cool slide show embedded in her post. I thought I would try it as I am always up for a new gadget. Here is my first 'slide'. It is the photos from my Kyoto folder over at Flickr. I won't use it for every post but I thought it was a cool toy to keep up my sleeve!

JET competition and exhibition

Each year, the Victoria / Tasmania chapter of JETAA (returned JET people) holds a photography competition. I submitted a few photos and had three selected for the exhibition. The winner of the competition will be announced on opening night so please cross fingers for me. The above are my three. What do you think?
Here is the advertisement for the competition. Come along and see all the fab photos if you have time. I am sure they will all be fantastic!

"I protect a carrot"

Listening to triple J today and the Kaiser Chief's came on with one of my favourite songs... "I predict a riot"...

The song finished and AJ (aged 4) continued singing...

"I protect a carrot, I protect a carrot"

Priceless!

Where has the sakura gone?

Golden glory, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

We have had lots of blossom over the past month and there is even some still around. I love it and have photographed a bit, but I miss the celebration that you get in Japan. I think we are a bit spoilt for nature. We miss stuff. I try to take it all in!!! Take wattle for example. It is so beautiful. The Japanese have even discovered it. You can walk into any hanaya (florist) in Japan and find wattle for sale. Some people even have it growing in their gardens.
I have decided to invent my own kind of hanami here in Australia. Flower viewing parties. Picnics. Any excuse to get together, have fun and admire the beauty around us!

A bit of fun with a scanner

Mum and Dad recently had a bit of fun scanning about a million old family photos. Anna's and mine were fading out of existence (something to do with the processing of film in the 70's). It was so much fun looking through them all. There were even lots that I had never seen. The selection above are of me at around age 2 and a half. I love the look of them in black and white, they were all in colour before scanning. Thanks Mum and Dad for the hours of work!!!

I am PUBLISHED!!!

I want to tell you an interesting little story. It goes something like this...

During my last few days in Japan, I got a comment on my flickr page referring to one of my photos. A guy explained that he belonged to a publishing company based in Melbourne and they wanted to use my photo. He left a link for me to contact him. I was interested but a little suspicious about the whole thing and, as I had only just arrived into Tokyo, I shelved the idea to the back of my mind.

Two days later, my friend Sean called me out of the blue to tell me to check my blog. The publishing guy had also left a comment there. Sean thought I would be interested in the whole thing and had taken a look into the company. He decided they were legit and told me to go for it! So, the plan was to make contact that night when I got back to my computer... 2 minutes later, my mobile rang. I answered it and it was the 'publishing guy'. He spoke to me for a while, explained how keen they were to use my photo and how they were in a hurry to get everything completed. I explained quite nicely that I was leaning toward saying yes but that I was on holiday, sight seeing AND far from my computer.

That night, I got onto the net, wrote a letter and sent off my photo. I didn't hear anything until last night. Sean called the company to see what had become of my beloved photo. Matt (I think that was his name) quickly explained that he had sent me several emails that had been returned. He also explained about the book and printing deadlines. The book is scheduled to be finished anyday and he sent through a digital image of the book cover.

So there you go. I am in print. Next stop... photography course and FAME!

PS. You can see, read about or buy the book at amazon. I guess the company had to submit a cover before publishing as you will see, it is different. Also, check out how expensive it is!!

The new digs...

The new digs..., originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

My home...for now.

Oops, I was gone for a minute

Firstly, sorry for the long time between post but now that I am back to my regular life and schedule, I am busy, busy, busy.

Spent six days in Tokyo with Del. We walked and walked. Shopped a bit and even managed to visit the onsen theme park in Odaiba. That place was amazing. We even tried the pool with 'Doctor Fish'. That was fun and it really tickled. The teeny tiny fish from Turkey nibble away at the dead skin on your feet. It isn't as gross as it seems. Lots of fun...

I got back to Melbourne last Wednesday and started work last Monday. Soooooo much has changed in the two years that I have been gone. Lots of new faces; teachers and students. We even have new curriculum guidelines. Amongst that, throw in a whole lot of new jargon that I don't know and you get a very confused me! I will be fine though. My prep, grade one class (5 and 6 year olds) are lovely on the whole. Very devoted and cute but make me VERY tired.

So there you go. I will try to update as often as something interesting happens. I want my life here to be as much fun as it was in Japan. Lets face it, Melbourne might be normal for me but I know I am lucky to live in such a cool city. More from me soon...

See you on the otherside...

The day has arrived. Time to say goodbye. See you sometime, somewhere, someday...

Lots of love and great memories. Please keep intouch!

A good way to cheer up

My new friend!!, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Thanks to everyone who gave me farewell money...

LOOK WHAT I BOUGHT!!!

Damn the tears!

So it is done. Goodbye to my original school. I love Yamato junior high!

There was a half hour ceremony just for me. I was holding it together quite well as it felt like my millionth goodbye. I knew some tears would squeeze out but when? It was right in the middle of the movie they made for me. Each club had made a farewell speech for me. Most of them were in English. Lots of We love you's... They set me off. A tear here, a tear there. Then I was asked to go up onto the stage. First the Principal spoke followed by one of the leaders of the school. The leader spoke in English (that also set me off). Then two of my favourite friendly girls brought me flowers and gifts. I also had to deliver a farewell speech. I did this in Japanese. That part was okay. The whole school then cheered for me and sang me the school song. Finally, I had the farewell music played just for me and I had to walk out of the gym all by myself. Then the tears fell - back in the staffroom. I am kind of okay now but sheesh... I am going to really miss this school!!!

Almost home time

David's view, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Right, this has to be it for now. Got.. to... leave... the... computer...

Leaving Yamaguchi on the 25th and then flying out of Tokyo on the 1st. See everyone at home sometime after the 2nd. Get your hugs ready.

(oh, and Del, see you on the 26th - yippee)

Kat, pre umbrella kindness

Kat, pre umbrella kindness, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

See how much it is raining... Kat was actually so badly sunburnt in this photo that I think the rain was soothing.

Lost and found (or stolen and given)

I love long weekends and seemingly meaningless public holidays (today was Marine day - the ocean kind and not the American Military kind). Quite a lot of us had spent the weekend hanging out in Hagi. The weather for the most part was lovely and we have just enjoyed a great week of blue skies (hot though). Today it decided to rain!!!

I had decided to drive home through Tsuwano with Kat and Loz (another "one last time" moment). We were a happy, though tired, bunch during the drive over, but some of us began to wane as the rain began to fall (no names Loz)...

Our first stop was at a paper mill. Kat and I bought some lovely paper products and at this point, it began to rain really hard.

Next stop was the main shopping strip. Loz immediately bought an umbrella. She spent a whole 500 yen on it This is a lot for an umbrella. You can easily buy one for 100 yen. We continued shopping, me with my umbrella from home, Loz happily under her new pink umbrella and Kat with a towel over her head.

We stopped at a busy souvenir shop and left our umbrellas in the receptacle outside. We shopped and drank and chatted for about 40 minutes. The crowds shuffled in and out of the shop. Eventually we got up to go and brave the weather some more. At the door way, Loz let out a gasp of dismay... NO UMBRELLA. Someone had taken her brand new, baby pink, 500 yen umbrella. I think she almost began to cry but insted stormed back into the store. She returned a short while later, sporting a kiddy sized blue umbrella that had cost her a further 500 yen. She was fuming!!!

Off we went, me with my umbrella from home, Loz fuming under her new blue umbrella and Kat with a towel over her head.

Not long after, we were walking along the side of the main road when a car kind of swerved and pulled up right in front of me. I figured the driver was a foreigner who knew us or someone from our area. I bent down and stared at the stranger in the driver seat. She beckoned me over and rolled down the window. She cheerfully spoke to me and handed me an umbrella. She had noticed that Kat was umbrellaless and GAVE Kat her own. She drove off and left the three of us speechless. Suddenly, we erupted into laughter. Here was Loz on her second bought umbrella for the day and Kat gets given one by a stranger. It was really funny. You just never know what will happen in this place... I love it.

Look what I did...

Made this from a drawing I received today. Cool hey? Not sure what I will do with it yet. Business cards? Wish she/I was holding/using a camera!

S.U.M.M.E.R.

Ever wanted to know what summer is like in Australia (at least where I am from)? I think today is as close as you will get in Japan. Today in Hikari it is HOT! I really feel that the humidity leavel is much lower than usual and that means... BLUE SKIES! Of course everyone is stil boiling but it is quite different to a normal humid Japanese day. Oh how I love blue skies...

Now for some packing...

(note : it gets quite a bit hotter than this where I am from too!)

じしん EARTHQUAKE

I thought that I must be going out of my mind. Two nights ago, I was awoken by a small earthquake. I asked around yesterday and was greeted with shocked amazement. We all decided that I had dreamt an earthquake for the second time.
You will then understand that I was pleased to be informed today that I am in fact not out of my mind. There WAS an earthquake. Tiny, little level 1. I must be stressed and sleeping lightly to have felt it at 3am and woken up. Oh well, I feel a bit better knowing that it really happened!

You'd be surprised to find Marmite in Mongolia...

Mum and Dad are traveling through China, Mongolia and Russia on their 'once in a lifetime' trip. My sister, Anna, was surprised to hear that Dad had discovered Marmite all over Mongolia. Read about it here. I am sure you will get a laugh as we did... Love you Dad!

Why?

Why am I inside on a day like this? Blue skies and white fluffly clouds. It isn't too humid. Ahhhhh. The reason I am inside is to clean and pack. I cancelled an outing today to pack. I just have to do it. It has to be done. I have so many things on, in the coming 2.5 weeks that I can't afford to stop. Why am I even blogging? Okay... got to get back to it and just stare at the rare blue sky out my window!

Victoria got me into action...

Here is my last English board. I hope a few students write to me. I have several in mind that I am pretty sure will...

Blah...

Does anyone else spend a good amount of time feeling sick these days? I know it is the weather but that doesn't make me feel any better. Sometimes it is a head ache and sometimes my stomach. It is not just me being a wimp, the students are dropping like flies.

I NEED AIR CON... (Sound like Nikki?)

Tokyo fun and madness...

Well, here she is... Del! In only 21 sleeps, we will be meeting in the heart of Tokyo. Bless her. I flippantly mentioned that she should come to see me in Tokyo and leave her family behind and she jumped at the chance. lol

We will be tourists for my final 6 days in Japan. I really can't wait. Harajuku and it's crazy fashion parade. Kamakura and it's famed big buddha. Nikko and it's amazing temples. Oh, and heaps of other places.

So pack your bags Del... See you soon.

Japan is red, red, red

Japan is red, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Here is a tiny selection of my 'red' pictures, made with Flickr toys.

I wonder what colour I would say Australia is?

A little photo and annotation update

Recently, I have uploaded several photos to blogger whilst in a hurry. I have decided that they need text to give you guys a deeper understanding of why I chose them. So here you have the updated versions to read. Enjoy.

Now I am off to upload my 'red' creation from flickr...

Kujira - WHALE

Kujira - WHALE, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Lauren and I ventured off to the deep, dark area of southern and western Yamaguchi last week. We live in the eastern corner so there were areas that to that point unexplored by us. Shimonoseki is the last town before you cross a bridge to the island of Kyushu. It is mostly famous for ふぐ　or globe fish. You know the one... It is deadly. The Japanese know how to fillet it and do so removing the poisonous parts.

Lauren and I visitied Karato fish market hoping for a buzz of activity and lots of fresh, flapping fish. We arrived at about 8am to discover that Thursday isn't the best day to see fresh, flapping fish. There was a bit of activity but it was mostly quite sleepy. That didn't stop us from eating lots of fugu (globe fish) and photographing plenty of くじら　（whale). We also ventured to the kaiten sushi restaurant, above the market, for the famed salmon cheese sushi. Try to imagine a slice of fresh salmon and a hunk of cheese lightly grilled with a blow torch - delicious!

If anyone is down Shimonoseki way, I recommend a visit to Karato. It was a lovely port area full of delicious treats. Now, I am even more excited to visit Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. Del, lets do it. You will be okay, I promise. The fish at Karato was so fresh there really was no smell at all. Imagine the photo opportunities!

すし ~ Sushi

Whilst up in the northern regions, we satyed with Tom. What a host! He had warned us about, and welcomed us to, a small party he was throwing at his house on the Friday. His BOE were coming along. Lauren and I were not sure what to think but of course accepted. We had the most wonderful time. What a lovely bunch of people and I fell inlove with 5 year old Sachi. Sachi didn't stop using her mum's SLR and giggling with delight over the photos on my small digital. She is definately going to be a photographer in the future. What a girl!

The food was interesting and delicious. It was a mixture of east meets west. Japan meets the western version of a BBQ. The Japanese guests bought sushi and beer and Tom (with our help) provided the rest; meat, potatoes and bread. Yum!

PS... Thanks to Tom for putting us up. See you some time in the UK or Melbourne.

Help me name them

The many faces of Japan, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

I have had the help of my sister and of a student here in Japan... Can you also help me? If you click on the photo, you will go to flickr and you can see the ones I have already identified...

Fresh green growth of summer...

Rainy season has started. The positive of this fact is that everything seems more green. I love that!

P.S. Does anyone know the name of the above plant? It seems to be a kind of fern or palm.

It is actually a cycad or そてつ in Japanese. Very old. From the time of dinosaurs and often mistaken for a fern or palm. That is why I made the mistake.　　Actually, I think it is specifically this one native to Japan.

Takes Delight in Cheese

Takes Delight in Cheese
Originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Hmmm?

Famous Australians in Japan

The new drink, Thorpedo, has hit newspapers in Australia. Read about it here .

Four degrees of separation

The generosity of Japanese people never ceases to amaze me. People help out in any way possible. They want to share their own part of Japan with me. I am going to miss this so much.

Last night, a classic and amazing example of this generosity occured. I went to my Tuesday English class. These people alone are so kind to me. As I entered the room, one of them came over and presented me with a box. As I opened it, the student exclaimed in excitement...

"They are bookmarks. There are 50. They are a present for your students in Australia. They come from Hokkaido!"

(I have added several words and particles here to help his English make sense!)

It turns out that he does a computer course with a particular lady. Her sister lives in Hokkaido (the most northern island in Japan - far, far from here). The sister in Hokkaido made 50 origami dolls and placed each of them into a plastic envelope. They are the most beautiful bookmarks I have ever seen. This lady made them as a going away present for me! Really amazing. I can't stop thinking about the connection from Hokkaido to my students in Australia.

Lady in Hokkaido...
Her sister in Yamaguchi...
Her sister's friend in computer class...
Me...
My students in Australia!

Plastic sushi

Plastic sushi
Originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Click on this shot and be lead to the fabulous world of flickr. I have added notes to this photo that tell you what each sushi actually is.

I haven't forgotten blogger...

I just want to write and apologise for the lack of blogging. There are several elements in my life that are contributing to this, least of which is Flickr.
People who know me, know I am photo obsessed. Flickr is amazing. I have been uploading lots and sorting, organising etc. Check it out.
Also... time is ticking down to me leaving Japan. I am trying to create a balance between socialising and packing/cleaning. Socialising wins most of the time unless I have no money. I actually don't enjoy the feeling of doing things for the final time. I am trying to ignore this fact and just enjoy each day. I know those at home can't wait to see me (I can't wait to get there) and the people here don't want me to go (I don't want to leave). The fact is, as time ticks down, by August 3rd I will be at home. Strange!