Aww, now it's my turn to be sick. It came on so fast! The night before, I had a sore throat, then during the day, it turned into a runny nose and sneezing, and now, I have all that and a fever. So, I get the day off school today. Funny, might be one of the only legitimate sick days I've had in Japan...
Oh, I want my mum to pamper me today, but she's all the way in NZ.

Had the geeks invade my house this weekend. 3 of them (including Michael), had colds. So, guess what? I woke up this morning with an itchy sore throat and a runny nose. Caught geek disease. By the way, I'm not a geek-hater, I do think they're amusing..

They sat around and played their Fantasy Role-Playing game, and I cooked a huge pot of Minestrone Soup for dinner (can't have malnourished geeks). They were very serious... Ashley came over to keep me company and see what the whole geek-fest was about. They yelled at her for interrupting and trying to talk to them while they were playing their game. She got pissed coz,...Isn't it just a game? But no. I believe it has passed out of this dimension, and turned into a real other-world in their heads.

I think they were self-conscious and defensive because we were sitting there listening to them while they talked about their 'character creations' and about how they were imaginarily 'blasting enemies with their dangerous obsidian butterflies...' etc. So whenever we started to comment on anything, they'd just yell at us to shut up. Geeks can be so mean sometimes.

So, Me and Ashley sat in the corner talking about how we were going to motivate each other into practicing Yoga 3x a week, and knitting. I took my grey knitting apart (for the millionth time now) and started again (hopefully even neater this time).

Michael's taking a sick day off school today, he had a fever last night, and a pretty nasty cough. But he just emailed me and said he's feeling a lot better after he called in sick. Funny how that happens. Anyway, I think he needs the rest. But, he'll only have to work 3 days this week, because Friday is a public holiday! ("Culture Day") Yay, bring on the long weekend!

Bought some new boots this weekend. But, went for practical rounded toe and low heel instead of the pointy toed high heeled ones that made me feel so glam. Unfortunately, I only had enough money to buy one pair, and that needed to be the more practical pair for everyday wearing in winter. Besides, I'm sure the pointy toed ones would've killed my feet, with all the public transport and walking I have to do without a car.

Got my 'Recontracting Decision Form' today. Asking me if I wanted to recontract for another depressing year in Japan. The teacher giving it to me started to explain what the sheet was for, and before she'd finished explaining I said, "Nope! Not recontracting!" With a huge smile. Gosh, I was practically trembling with excitement to say those words!!

I enthusiastically circled the "I have decided NOT to re-contract for the year 2007-2008 JET Programme Year" and signed my name with a flourish. I'm so happy to think about leaving Japan next year July! I feel like a prisoner here, been ticking off the days and months till I'm released. 6 more weekends till my 'home visit' for Christmas. Feel like doing a dance now...

Thank God it's Friday! This week has seemed exceptionally long . Maybe it's because I've been teaching the same Halloween Lesson to all my classes this week, and I don't even celebrate Halloween!!! Hard to get enthusiastic about Halloween, not like Christmas.

Last night I went to Ohta sensei's house. She's my substitute mother in Japan. I told her that I was interested in knitting, so she taught me how to knit the Japanese way. With only 1 needle! Michael thinks it may be similar to 'crochet' but as I have never seen anyone crocheting, I have no idea! It took me ages to get the hang of it, but I do now, and it's a little more difficult than knitting the English way, but I think it makes scarves faster when you get good at it. So now I'm making 2 scarves, one the English way, and one the Japanese way. I'll see which way I like best...

Anyway, got home quite late last night (because it took me so long to get the hang of knitting!) and boy, it was hard to get out of bed this morning. Was yawning through 1st period , and then my eye started twitching when I acted out the story of Halloween. Yes, I pretended to be a ghost who tries to possess a 'living being' (the other teacher). Well, it got some laughs, and the other teacher did a good job of acting like a zombie-possessed person. haha. The things I have to do to make lessons interesting... anyway it was funny coz as we were acting, my eye started twitching, so I felt like I was going crazy. What am I doing with my life, playing a fool for Japanese high school students?!

Well, finished my classes for today. And it's a friday! Think I'll sneak off to the LL Room (Language Learning Room - a.k.a. Vic's Private Sleep-out)and have a sleep and maybe knit some.

I think this one that Michael's doing will be the geekiest thing I've ever seen him doing. A group of friends have invited us to join in this Fanatasy role-playing game. Basically, there's one moderator who sets the 'scene' and controls the game, and gives points. You have to create a fantasy character, who has some superpowers...and create a story about their background, and their characteristics...and co-operating with the other 'members' you have to make a story about how you met the other characters and started on your travels together. That's about all I know now.

Last weekend, Michael created his 'character' with the others. Next weekend? They will start 'playing' the story out. I think they make the story as they go, and if you are particularly descriptive, you get extra points. The aim of the game? I'm not sure yet. But I'm sure I'll find out as time goes on. No, I'm not playing!!! I refuse to be so incredibly geeky. Even if they swear that it's the most fun thing to do in Japan. Ha.

Here's the game 'Manual'

My Birthday: First course, lightly battered, white flakey fish, with sweet Thai sauce... mmm... hungry.

My Knitting: The second attempt...

The first attempt was a fluffy pink wool that was too hard to handle as a beginner. Oh well. Actually, after this photo, I took my knitting apart and started it over again, because it was too messy, and I wasn't happy (hence the half-photo), but now, it is much neater, and I feel very proud of it!

It's the 3rd year I've celebrated a birthday in Japan, away from my family and close friends. I guess I have a group of friends who I could've invited out, but couldn't be bothered organizing anything. Anyway, next year, my friends will change again, won't they, this JET life is such a transient life. Autumn has arrived, and so has all the snorting and sniffling that comes with it. Which is grosser? Listening to someone blowing their nose loudly and juicily? Or listening to someone snort all the snot back in and swallow it? The Japanese do the second one. Sometimes I feel like throwing up right there in the bus or train station, or in the office whenever I hear them doing it. It's quite repulsive. I should record the sound on my cell phone and paste in on my blog just so you can hear what I have to put up with in the office everyday.

Anyway, how'd I get to that subject? I was talking about my birthday. I will put some photos up tomorrow. Well, what'd I do on that special day? Woke up early, all excited because it was my birthday, you'd think I'd grow out of that, but it seems to be pre-programmed into me!...even though I'd already opened my presents! We went out for brunch, to this Italian place close to home. Went home again, and I had a nap (I need a lot of sleep...) then I watched a movie with a cup of tea while Michael gave me a foot rub (ahhh bliss). We went to our favorite Thai restaurant in Osaka for dinner. It's difficult to get good spicy food in Japan, but this place has the best! Actually, it's not just Thai food, it's 'spicy asian' foods too. We ate Nasi Goreng (from Singapore) there, and they also had spicy Korean pancakes.

Ooh, we also got a bottle of champagne with dinner, and I felt so posh. Except for the fact that I chose the peach flavored one... haha...I don't care about looking like a champagne-philistine! Michael can choose the distinguished dry one for his birthday, but I'm drinking sweet stuff on mine!

It took us an hour and a half to get home from Osaka. So tiring! Michael learned how to knit recently (me too!) and he knitted on the train to pass time. Hmmm. He already gets stared at a lot...
I am knitting a fluffy grey scarf. I learned how to knit off a website! Crazy huh.

I did something so embarassing in the posh department store on saturday.
We were walking through the food section, dreaming about eating all the chocolates and desserts for sale.
I saw some delicious looking chocolates embedded with caramalized almonds and walnuts laid out on a plate. Michael said, "Hey, there're those chocolates you've been drooling over! Go try the testers!" So, I walked over to the stand, bold as brass, looked the shop assistant in the eyes, as I bit down on a yummy looking piece of chocolate-tart.
In slow-motion, I saw the assistant's eyes widen in shock...my brain registered... hey, this chocolate is awfully rubbery!! As my brain clicked at my faux-pas, I choked out to Michael, "It's plastic!" and ran away laughing. I heard Michael in fits of laughter behind me, and we were in hysterics trying to get away from the embarassing area where I'd tried to eat the display chocolate. The Japanese are just so damn good at creating food-replicas!

Been thinking more about our upcoming wedding. Michael and I want to design a Maori and a Chinese pattern to go on our wedding invitations. Even though I'm chinese, I don't know much about chinese patterns, except they look quite angular and squarish, which is very different from the Maori curvy wavy type of designs. Think I'll research some different patterns and designs on the internet and see if I am inspired. We want to ask his father to create a Maori design for us.

Michael also suggested that I have a Maori design embroidered on a small part of my dress (as now, I am joining a half-Maori family), I think that has potential to look very cool. hmmm...

Michael and I skipped school yesterday! It was great! (had no classes anyway, it's exam time) haha. Yes, teachers do fake sickies too. We prefer to call it 'mental-health days'. We had a really relaxing day, and later on, went into Kyoto to do some early Christmas shopping, and to buy yarn! We are going to learn how to knit! There's something about skipping school that makes the day even better than a weekend. hehe..

My birthday is coming up, so last Thursday, Ohta sensei gave me an early birthday present. She had made me a Japanese-style handbag! It is made out of a very formal 'Obi' (the piece of material that wraps around the waist of the Kimono). It's very shiny and glam, so I don't know when I'll get the chance to use it, but it was very sweet of her to sew a bag for me. Here's a pic of the bag's material:

She also gave me my tea ceremony license, apparently to start teaching tea ceremony! There's no way I'm that good yet, but by the time I go back to NZ, maybe I'll be good enough to teach! If I could find any people interested in learning the art of Japanese tea ceremony... Photo of my certificate :

On Saturday, Michael and I were walking around the famous & touristy Kiyomizu-temple. We saw a girl who had dressed up as a Maiko (trainee Geisha) and a man who dressed up in old traditional clothes. All the tourists were confused as to whether she was a real geisha or not, but we knew she wasn't. Anyway, check out the colourful kimono and hair accessories. Old-fashioned bling.
In many busy places in Kyoto, there are Pilgrims who are making their way around certain temples, they don't bring any money, they just get donations from the public. The hardship is supposed to be good. So, they stand there and chant/pray for aaaages while tonnes of people walk by, and some people give them money. When you give them money, they bow and give you a blessing. And I guess when they collect enough money, they move on.

Cats looking at Cats. We see some oddly cute things walking around Kyoto.

Isn't this a brutal way to advertise fresh beef (on the train)?! Japanese sure are animal-lovers... and then, someone named the brand 'brutus'! Ahhh! Just had to take a photo of it.

The week went by so quickly. Tim didn't get lost (apparently my written directions were good!) and we all had a great time. It was a bit of a shame that I had to work, because we went out for dinner every night and stayed up late talking, and I was so tired the next day!

We spent the day together on Saturday, visited a really famous temple that overlooks Kyoto city, and ate Nepalese food for dinner, and then watched some tradititional Japanese drama/dances.

Here's some photos... Tim has his picture taken with some Japanese ladies

Tim at a Tea Ceremony. We watched an ancient dance/drama.

We watched the ancient way of puppetry. They used 3 men dressed in black to help manipulate the puppet.

Maiko Dance. (Maiko are apprentice Geisha).

After the performances, we walked to Shijo and sat by the Kamo river. There were young people practicing fire-dancing and bongo-drumming by the river. It was pretty cool. Then, they did an awesome drumming and dancing performance. It was a great way to end the night.

In the train, on the way home... Nothing to lose, as he's leaving the country tomorrow. Ever felt like swinging on the hand-bars in the train? I hoped there was no one we knew on that train... The Japanese people were so funny, and just pretended there wasn't this big hairy 'gaijin' swinging in the train. haha.

Tim was feeling a bit adventurous on his last night here, so we got him to try 'natto'. Natto is the foulest thing. It's fermented beans. It smells like something rotten, and the texture is stringy and sticky. ewww. Anyway, he ate it...lots of it. I was impressed.