Sunday, 23 April 2006

Teaching Myself Cantonese!

Finally ripped open the fabulous Teach Yourself Cantonese that I bought last year and am blown away! Just the first unit alone covered the equivalent of 6 chapters in the Teach Yourself Japanese book. I like learning Japanese and find it rather easy but... wow. Cantonese, despite the tonal issue, looks so easy compared to Japanese!!!

Why am I learning Cantonese? Several reasons really. A lot of my friends back in Sydney speak Cantonese, I love hanging out in China Town, some great movies are in Cantonese such as House of Flying Daggers plus I'm definitly going to Hong Kong this year.

Wish me luck. This language really looks interesting, fun and easy! No tenses! OMFG!!! :D

Saturday, 22 April 2006

FUROSHIKI!

Have realised that this blogs become a bit negative lately so thought I'd tell you all about today which wasn't anything special, but one of the most relaxing days I've had here.

Went for a walk to the other side of the tracks (I love walking around Tokyo backstreets) and got myself two very cool Furoshiki (silk Japanese napkins that are folded to carry things). Have been fasinated with furoshiki since I read the latest issue of Kategayo (the best magazine about modern and old Japanese culture!) and have decided to use furoshiki for as much as I can!

Made myself a nice late with the new espresso machine (come on over and try it if you'r e ever in Ochiai Minami Nagasaki!) and watched the latest ep of the xxxHolic anime series which really rocks. Can't wait for the second season of Tsubasa Chronicle to start airing next week.

About to do some Japanese practice and maybe do something for dinner tonight?

Perfect weather, nice people out today and am enjoying life.

Oh, and the garden on the balcony is blossoming nicely (got the only balcony in the whole building qith plants on it).

Sorry if you're reading this and havn't heard from me in a while. I'll be going through a pile of emails tonight and doing some texting.

Stay in touch! (funny from me I know).

Sunday, 16 April 2006

Let's do lunch

Had Brenton and Chihiro over for brunch yesterday morning and joined them at Kat and John's for dinner last night! Thanks to everyone, had a great day! Definitly going to do it again sometime!!!

Grr.. This site is annoying me. It's just not me anymore, you know? Need to do a BIG revamp and soooooonnnnn.

Oh, and HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! Cheers to Summer, Kym and Shirl for sending choccie eggs! Man, I've missed hot cross buns two years in a row now!

Thursday, 13 April 2006

1 Year VISA

Just got back from Immigration and I was given ANOTHER one year Visa. When I asked them why I didn't get a 3 year Visa they basically told me a lot of crap that sounded like it's just plain luck if you get one. "Maybe next year" the guy said.

I don't know what those guys are doing. I applied weeks ago and had to wait for them to send me a postcard that tells me to come in and pick up my sticker for my passport (the Visa). So I got the postcard last week and went in today and after handing in the postcard I was told to wait for another 3 hours or so! WHAT THE HELL WERE THEY DOING FOR THOSE 4 WEEKS?!?! It was crazy! All they had to do was take my money (stamps actually, but that's another rant) and put the sticker in my passport. Jesus.

Anyway, also got a Re-Entry Permit so I can come back into the country if I go on holiday. That only took 1 hour.

Tuesday, 11 April 2006

Orange Day

Check out this article! Looks like they're adding another "holiday" due to the misinterpretation of Valentine's Day.

You see in Japan on Valentine's Day, the women give the guys a pressie or chocolate. Instead of the men stepping up and giving their gals a pressie as well, a whole new day had to be created a month later on March 14th called WHITE DAY for them to do so.

Now, there's a new day a month after that called ORANGE DAY (also called Partner Day) on April 14th for both the men and women to BOTH exchange pressies.

Couldn't they just get Valnetine's Day right??? I do guess that the day is good for same sex couples, though there's no mention of this in the article.

Sunday, 9 April 2006

Japanese Police a Joke?

At least the Japanese media is aware at what a joke the police here are. Enjoy!

Saturday, 8 April 2006

A long weekend! Kind of.

Sorry for the lack of posting guys. Took me a week or so after that last post but I'm now feeling about 100% A-O-K. Also enjoying a semi holiday week as I had to work 2 6-day work weeks recently, I now get sat and sun off, then tues and thurs and then sat and sun off again!!! Am all set for some serious relaxation!

Have a small cold though which I blame on people not covering their mouths in public when they cough (again!). I swear so many people go out in public when they're sick here due to pressure from their work (chuck a sickie and get fired). Half cough and don't cover their mouth, the other half wear a white mask and half of those either only cover their mouths with it, or just their nose... it's like people don't know how they breath!!! Grrr...

Got the postcard from Immigration yesterday so will head in on Tues or Thurs to get my new VISA. Am really hoping they gave me the three year one. Fingers crossed!