Gee I have found it hard to write anything interesting lately. Hmm I guess I haven't been doing much...

It's just been "Golden Week" here in Japan. It's the time where there are so many public holidays in a row that we just about get a week off work. Everyone looks forward to it, and Kyoto gets so crowded with Japanese tourists, wanting to check out their 'cultural capital'. I went shopping yesterday, and the department store was a mosh-pit!

By the way, for my friends in NZ who don't know yet, Michael and I have decided (for sure this time!) that we will come back to Christchurch for a couple of years after Japan. I will (probably) study veterinary nursing (I just can't see myself teaching English for the rest of my life) and Michael wants to find a job in a library (and then get a Masters in Library work).

Why have we decided not to keep travelling??

Because I have been feeling quite emotionally unstable, and Michael thinks it's best if I can spend some time around supportive friends and family again. This travelling around and teaching is not so good, as I take time to make close connections with people, and by the time I do, they move back to their home country or to another teaching job in a different country. And the 'friends' we have right now, are not really my friends... they're more Michael's friends...they talk about computer games and anime and zombies...they don't see the point in makeup or fashion or dancing, or a bit of girlie gossip. It was the other way around last year, I was going out with 'the girls' lots... but they left Japan. Also, I just don't mesh so well with asian culture (funny cos I am asian...) who can be a little behind when it comes to how they view women (especially young women in the workforce) and all that... no offense, just my opinion.

So anyway, been quite 'down' lately. Probably why I haven't been writing much in the blog too - found it hard to write anything that didn't sound whiney! But I am determined to start thinking more positively, and enjoy my last 2 months in Japan. And I feel very peaceful about our decision to go back to Christchurch for a little while at least. Will probably end up in Melbourne though...my friend Danielle says it's a great place to live. And Michael checked out the pay rates in Aussie compared with NZ, wow, big difference. No wonder the brain drain out of NZ eh.