New Year Resolutions for 2009 - draft

1. Pass JLPT2 in 2009

2. Date (nampa? http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/nampa1.htm)

3. Apply for graduate school

4. Learn how to cook - at least a dish a month!

5. Obtain a Japanese drivers license

6. Take the shinkansen

7. Climb Mt Fuji

8. Make 1 new friend each month

9. Take a risk each month and do something I really want to do - examples are telling people how you feel about them,  applying for a promotion, approaching a person that intimidates you,  starting your own business

10. Pay someone a compliment everyday

Here are my resolutions for 2008. Let's see, were they achieved?

New Year Resolutions for 2008!

Presenting...

1. Learn how to cook - at least a dish a month!

O Yes! Now that I am in Japan I just have to do it.

2. Learn the guitar - attend classes regularly! practice at least once a week!

O Yes! Until the time when classes were cancelled in May.

3. Pass JLPT 2 - attend classes regularly! practice at least once a week!

X No! I still failed this year I think.

4. Research on Masters/PhD programmes - research at least once a week! map out timetable!

O Yes! Found a couple of programmes...

5. Exercise regularly - at least once a week!

O Yes! Does cycling to work almost everyday count?

6. Read a book each quarter - I can only try!

O Yes! Counting the number of Japanese textbooks...

7. Contact everyone at least once - This one I have to do, especially if I go on JET in August

O Yes! I did go onto JET. I did meet everyone!

8. Try smoking a cigarette - Trying to be naughty!

O Yes! I did! Yucky experience...

9. Backpack Japan - By hook or by crook!

O Yes! Doing it and loving it.

10. Learn first aid - something useful in life and encouraged by my workplace

X Nope, I didn't do it in the end...

... and I just chanced upon this!

11. Learn card tricks - impress the ladies! ;)

X Nope, it didn't strike my fancy...

shucks!

Dang! Im on my way to Tochigi prefecture now and while transferring trains I left my gloves behind! Now it is travelling to Ueno, Tokyo without me. I need to be more careful!

some thoughts ii

実はおかしいと思います。人間にとってどうして習ったものがつまらないと思いますか？例えば今帰り途中で宮城県と福島県を通じていました。茨城県よりおもしろいと思います。

some thoughts

Im quite afraid for things here to end. While there are definitely mMents where I yearn for stability and the familiar, the new experiences of a lifetime keep me away from giving in. Deep down inside, there is always something new to learn, something new to experience which cannot be done in the safe haven of home.

grr light fault train super delay

It is now almost 1pm and I have been riding trains since 730 this morning. I being adventurous and wanted to see how far my patience can last but this eats the cake. So close yet so far! I am a little concerned what time I can reach home by tonight as there is school tomorrow. I was hoping to soak in an onsen here in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture at least before I start the long journey back! I guess that looks difficult especially when I havent done any planning. Sigh! I should take it easy I guess! By the way just now I saw in a distance snowcapped mountains! Winter is here!

nice mist scenery

It has been rather cold and on some frigid mornings a thin layer of frost form on the paddy fields. It makes quite a misty scene when the sun comes up and heat up the land. The evaporating mist looks quite mystical. Im now on the train to Fukushima again, this time on the Seishun 18 kippu which means unlimited local train rides for only \2200 around S30. I think I will hit an onsen before coming home!

Bento!

I just realised I should have started making bentos a long time ago since I can always cook extra rice for dinner and serve up the remnants as the next day's bento box. A strategy to avoid preparation is to bring only rice to school and grab Y100 otsukemono (side dishes) from the mobile canteen vendor who comes by right before lunch. I'm sold! I think it is a better way than buying a Y450/Y500 bento box which is too much food for lunch, not to mention uncontrollable!

You can also order healthier choices like udon but they are expensive - easily Y600.

Rants

I feel a little miserable now so I took the opportunity to vent to HY. Here're the exerpts of our conversation which I guess will summarise my feelings for now:

Today was perfect all the way.

Until the last part before I left when I hurriedly asked my supervisor about a strange electrical bill I received.

It threatened to cut my phone line (I think) if I do not pay by next week.

I guess I sounded hurried and panicky because I really cannot imagine not having internet access at home.

He asked me to wait/calm down.

The thing is i am always quite affronted whenever he does that.

It is maybe because I don't have warm vibes with him.

I think I am thinking too much.

Anyway we ended up with I should check through my receipts and stuff and get back.

So I'm frustrated on a couple of accounts.

Firstly with him, because I have to figure out and do a lot of things myself and I am really tired.

I still don't have my bed and it is winter.

Then also with settling down in Japan and I wish all these administrative problems will disappear.

Quite sian about it.

But I have good reasons why I am bad in thinking that way.

Over the weekend, my supervisor went to Osaka and bought me souvenirs.

Then another teacher gave me a school tee which looks cool and I always wanted it secretly.

It relates to the second point above, that everything i really need to do myself, including planning for vacations.

I guess I am starting to be tired of being responsible for myself.

I want to be babied and pampered!

Then I look at my situation of no girlfriend and I go sian.

Then Japanese  language also going nowhere though I must say it is improving but slowly.

Then like just now, I was so angry with myself again.

Recently I started realising I overbuy groceries.

And then they rot and I throw.

And due to that I end up overeating.

I am so angry also.

I bought bakwa over.

Then I never give out and they're expiring this month.

I think I will just give out to all teachers.

Actually I know most of these problems can be solved easily.

I just need to vent.

So tiring!