Toyko!

OK, so this is a bit late, but yesterday, after Tsumu finished her last exam, we went down to Tokyo to meet with Kako! 

She took us to what's apparently the most popular place for tourists in Japan. Asakusa!

This is the front entrance. It's massive!

That's the Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest building in Japan. 

Out the front of the temple

the 6 story temple. Sadly, it's off-limits to the public. 

We all tried omikuju, fortune telling. You shake a metal can and tip out one of the sticks. The stick has a number on it, and you have to match it to a drawer, then pull out the top slip of paper. 

I got a bad fortune...

So I tied it to the rails because apparently, that can help prevent it coming true!

There are pigeons everywhere here, so why not make a song about them? And make statues of them... And put them in front of a shrine...

Don't ask me what it means. Pretty sure it's Chinese.

I like seeing the differences between common birds, like pigeons. They're all over the place, in Australia, America, Japan, and god knows wherever else. But I like to see what changes. You can look forward to lots more pictures of birds, bugs, and whatever other animals I manage to catch a pic of. I've seen lots of birds, but mostly when we're driving to or from school, so I don't manage to get a picture. 

A matcha store. Everything here is Matcha.

Even matcha ice cream! It's kinda weird, and a bit bitter, but also sweet...

It's nice! I'd definitely have it again!

Sweet bean paste, in dumplings, and fried. Delicious!

I got to hold the red one in the middle. Its design is based on the sword of Oda Nunobunaga's katana. He's a famous Samurai if you didn't know. I didn't! The things you learn...

This was an amazing shop! The worker let me hold the red katana, and Kako took photos for me. I just need to figure out how to get them onto my laptop...

I wish that I could have bought everything from here, but it was so expensive... But I got a Christmas present for someone in my family from here!

A sneaky photo of Kako! 

Don't worry, she gave me permission to post pics of her. 

I always wanted to learn to use these, but I'm pretty sure I'd end up breaking everything I own before I got the hang of it. XD

Guns, in a sword shop. Logic?

I visited a lot of weaponry shops yesterday, if you couldn't tell.

It looks so nice lit up.

I bit the head off mine before I remembered to take a photo, so this one's Tsumu's.

;)

Yeah, these things are real! You can pay someone to run you around town in a carriage. 

Really expensive though...

Like, 3,000 Yen for a 10 minute ride for 1 person. 

Chestnut, raspberry, and Cream cheese.

I like it when train stations take the time to make the walls look nice

No idea what it is, but I like it!

A nice train ride home, until it got stupidly crowed and I was squished between a person and a metal pole...

Yeah, that actually happens on trains. I'm surprised that anyone could actually get on or off.

And a delicious dinner to finish it off!

Another great day in Japan. I'm still having a ball over here.
I never believed graduates when they said "You'll miss school after graduation." But you know what? I miss it! I miss the way Harristown worked, and I miss my teachers, and I miss pulling all nighters, or going a week with nothing but toast for breakfast because I've been too stressed about assignments and exams. Those were good days...
Or spending a whole half hour break, running from A block to D block, then up to N block because Mrs Matheson wasn't in her room, then back to A block to be with friends, only to be dragged back down to the tuck shop by Josh, then back up to A block with Josh, then going back to the tuck shop AGAIN because Michael and Zac decided to get food, and they dragged Josh, and Josh dragged me... Then back up to A block, then off to H block or wherever I had my next class.
You may think I'm exageratingg, but I'm seriously not.
You may think I'm complaining, but I'm really not! XD
I love my friends, and teachers, and all our weird adventures...

Now for today! Been pretty chill, just got up in the morning, went to school and, well yeah. That's it. School was pretty chill too. Mostly free classes, now that Exams are done. I've started reading the 7 Deadly Sins manga in Japanese. It's taking ages, but I think It's worth it.
After school, I finally went back to karate! It's been too long...
I managed to beat Matsu again, but I know that he's going easy on me. Maybe if I keep beating him, he'll start fighting harder.
I also spared against Kyoka, and got punched in the jaw! Finally, getting into fights that I don't get into trouble for! I've been dreaming of this since grade 9!
I don't know why, but I've started to love the pain of pulling muscles during basketball, or when I was practising round kicks and somehow fell and landed flat on my face today.
That was fun...
Anyway, I think that's about it. I'm getting more sporty by the day, not to mention flexible! I think my Japanese may be starting to improve, slowly. And I'm still having fun!
Good night world!

Scouts

Another day, another story to tell.
so, Venturers wasn't on today, but I went to help out with the cub scouts. Or, rather, they helped me...
I had no idea what to do since I've never been a leader, so I ended up being taught by the cubs how to make the cake.

We also played some games and quizzes.We had one where three of the cub scouts got out the front and signed out a word with flags, and the first person to guess it got a little bag of gummies! I didn't manage to guess any... I don't remember anything about flag signals.
It was great with the cubs, and I hope that I can teach the cake recipe to my venturers back home.

It's starting to get pretty cold over here. My toes went numb while at scouts... I've decided to wear multiple socks from now on.

Anyway, That's about it for me for now! Now to get back to reading The 7 Deadly Sins manga! It takes so long, and it makes my head hurt... but it's fun!

Good night world!

Concert

Well, another wonderful few days. No sarcasm this time 😀
The last day of classes was pretty chill for me, since I have no exams. Yesterday, today and Monday are days off for me, due to said exams. Yesterday was a relaxing day at home, reading and listening to music while Utayo was at work. When she came home I made some scones!

They aren't quite the way I intended, because I think I ended up kneading the dough when I tried coating it in flour to stop it from being to sticky. Utayo thinks that Australian and Japanese flours might be different, which would explain the different texture, but I don't know for certain.
Everyone said that they love the scones, and I can't wait to cook more snacks for them!

Today was great! I went shopping with Utayo in the morning, returning some rented DVD's and borrowing out some of the manga and anime of The Seven Deadly Sins, which Tsumu and Masahiro are now hooked on! I found a cd I wanted, but it was only for rent, so Utayo bought it online for me and I paid her back the 3,000¥.
We grabbed some lunch from the convenience store and I had a really nice seaweed and bean rice ball, and Sparkling Nectar. It's like a soft drink, made out of peach nectar, but not as bubbly. It's really nice!
We then went to a concert of Beethoven's 9th, and it was amazing! I know it's possible and it's been done before, but I found it so weird to hear Beethoven sung!
Speaking of singing, while we were out shopping in Aeon shopping centre, we found a spot where people were rehearsing for an accapella show this afternoon! It was on at the same time as The concert, so we missed the show, but the rehearsals were great! I loved listening to them. One group even sang a part of the song from Your Name! (and yes, I know the Japanese titles, but my phone doesn't have Japanese text, so have the English ☺)
Tomorrow Tsumu will be studying, but they suggested that I go down to the den to help out with the scouts. It sounds like fun, even though I'm not sure how useful I'll be. I've got my ASM, but it's not much use if I can't explain what I know...
But I'll give it a shot anyway!
Monday I'm planning on heading down to Tokyo to meet up with my friend Kako. Utayo can't drive me though, and Im not comfortable riding the train alone, since all names are in kanji, and I would probably miss my stop. So if I do go, I'll have to wait for Tsumu to finish school and come.
Well, it's 11:13 here, and I'm pretty sure my minds still on Australian time, so I should get to sleep.
Good night world!

first weekend

Well, it's officially been a week since I landed in Japan, and I still have yet to start feeling homesick. I'm expecting that as my mind's Christmas present to me. That week is, normally, the closest one with my family. But, anyway, you're not here to read about me expecting to be homesick in 3 or 4 weeks or however long it takes. You want to hear about what I've done!
Well, first off, I'm not sick anymore! (well, my nose is running, which makes Utayo worried, but that's normal in the cold)
Next, I've been doing some cooking. I never thought that Japan and Australia could be THIS different. Just like Matsu with the idea of leaving school in the sports uniform, Utayo seems to never have heard of the idea of boiling apples the way I did for dessert tonight when I made the apple cake.

I also make a quiche last night for dinner. I wasn't too sure how it would turn out since I used a combination of a weird cheddar cheese and cream cheese instead of feta or ricotta. But, I think it turned out rather well, It was pleasantly sweet, but not too much. Utayo, Tsumu and Masahiro certainly liked it!

I went shopping with Utayo yesterday, while Tsumu had an all-day exam. I bought a Christmas present for one of my family members, but I won't say who ;)
Just to sum it up, since I want to get to bed, here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Yes, that is a baymax pillow, with speakers built into it. Not sure how practical it is, or how good it is for hearing, but it's a cool idea.

2018 is the year of the dog

I feel so sorry for the cat...

Never thought that Santa was a big thing here. 

This was delicious! Utayo had one filled with bean paste, and I had once with apple!

It's a cartoon character. Look up about it, it's not as creepy as it looks. ;)

Today I went to venturers finally! But before it, Tsumu had her marathon at school. Yeah, at Harristown, they had the decency to put these events on school days. But NOPE! Here, the students need to take time out of their ONE day off school and go down to run a 3 to 10km marathon, depending on your age, at 7:00. Why???????

And, it's mandatory! If you try to skip it, you have to run your distance around the school oval apparently. Thankfully, I didn't have to. I stayed back and helped sort papers as the runners came back in.

But when I finally got to scouts, it was NOT what I expected! First of all, I didn't even see a den, so... So much for the PowerPoint! I just did an introduction in Japanese. It was kind of awkward. Thankfully one cub scouts broke the ice by asking a wonderful question. "Why do you live in Australia?"

Oh, that child is precious...

Anyway, the place they meet is AMAZING! Just like shopping, I'll bombard your eyes with photos!

This picture does not do this scene justice! Those leaves were glowing like gold in the sunlight! It looked like I just stepped into a painting!

That grass is over my head! So glad that I didn't go anywhere in it. But there are public hiking trails through it. Can't wait for that!

I was met with a warm welcome! ;)

Roast sweet potato. Wrapped in wet newspaper and foil, and thrown into the fire and buried in burning leaves. It's delicious!

But seriously, WHY IS IT YELLOW?

YES, I took pictures of bugs!

Get over it!

XD

I don't know why, but this tree looks so weird. Maybe because it has no bark or anything, and it's just so big! You don't see many trees like it in Toowoomba.

Yep. That's it. That's the meeting place for the scouts. no den in sight. 

THIS IS AMAZING!

Those grasshoppers are massive. Enough said!

So, I think it's pretty clear that I'm having a wonderful time here!

Helps that I'm now home alone while Tsumu and Utayo are at (get this) government supplied English lessons! And free, as far as I know!

Ok, no, being alone isn't the good thing. I'm listening to a mix of Celtic Women on Youtube, in speakers. This is so nice...

I've been listening to music in my room occasionally while Tsumu studies and Utayo is busy, or seems to need some relaxation time, but it's nice to have it in speakers. At home, whenever I'm alone, I plug it into the TV and listen to it all around the house! It's not that loud, because Masahiro's mother isn't far away, in the next house on this lot, but it's just as nice. 

So, I think that's about it for now! I hope that you can all enjoy these pictures, and rest assured that I am entirely safe and happy *cough* you can stop asking *cough*

:)

(Also, that thing I mention about Micky and the bruise was supposed to be a joke. I'm not mad about it or anything. In fact, I kinda like it. It feels like a battle scar! XD Don't take any of these things seriously. All my friends know that pretty much everything I say, especially negative things, is either a joke or sarcastic. Rarely sincere.)

Off to bed with me! I've got a busy week ahead of me!

By the end of this term, I will either be fit, or dead. And for both options, blame me. 

Love you all, friends and family! 

XD

A relaxing day at home

I lied in the title.

Aren't colds wonderful? I missed out on a food party at school...
So, word of advice for anyone, anywhere, if someone warns you about a bug going around, don't be confident that you don't normally get sick, and remember to wash your hands.
Yup.

Anyway, school has been... Still painful...
Karate has been the main thing that I look forward to each day, and I think I'm getting better. Somehow, PE has become my favourite class. Possibly because it doesn't need language much, and it's all physical. And maybe because I'm used to walking about 5km a day, at least to and from school.

I was told that Japanese schools are really strict. You would be surprised how much talking goes on or joking with the teacher just like back home with all my teachers.
Ah... The good old days...

But seriously, students are allowed to bring blankets to class, and the girl who sits in front of me isn't a stranger to sharing chocolate biscuits and chips while the teacher is talking. And she's not even stealthy about it! She just leans over the walkway and offers people some food as though it were lunch break!

The only thing they seem to be strict on is no phones (but ipads are supplied?? What??) and you can't leave school in your sports uniform.
Well, that last one...
I asked Matsu and one of the other guys from karate (I cannot for the life of me remember his name, but his appearance reminds me a lot of Tom from school, if he paled out a lot, grew another few feet and got glasses) about whether I was allowed to leave in my sports uniform, and they stared at me as though that thought had never occurred to either of them. They genuinely had no idea if that was a rule or not, because everyone gets changed back into the formal to leave. It was kind of funny, actually. I don't think Matsu's eyes have ever been that big, as far as I've seen him!😂
Matsu is a bit weird though... Compared to others here, I mean.
Most people say hello when they see me, and I say hello back in English just to humour them. Naturally, it's followed by a whole heap of Japanese compliments about how I'm cute or something. But Matsu doesn't do it.
You may have noticed that I talk quite a bit about Matsu, but it's simply because none of the other boys in the class talk to me or anything, and as all my friends would know, I'm not big on girls, spare a few like Megan, Abbey, and Tsumu. Matsu is really the only guy here that I can bond with, through karate, and unlike the other guy that I feel awful for not remembering the name of, he sits next to me. But he doesn't talk much in class... It's like he's got 2 personalities. The dedicated student, and then when he takes his glasses off he's an energised, but kicking black belt that says I'm stronger than some people he knows that have done karate for years! Now I just need to work on my reflexes...
Plus, I think I'm getting pretty good at kobudo. I might be able to get revenge on Mickey for that bruise on my pinky. And yes, it's still there.
Anyway, Utayo will be home soon with Tsumu. I'll wrap this up here.
Long story short, sport is fun, school isn't very different as a culture, and don't get sick!






I wonder how Alia is doing...


Edit: I asked! His name is Matano!