Being away...

Missed updating my blog :o(

So here's to promising more regular updates...but for now...yes yes as much as I'd like to stay and chat. I have to go...and work hehe

xoxo

Homestay Memories in Yamagata

Ahhh how I miss my homestay family, the Kawamuras oh so so much!!! They really made me feel at home (away from home) in their beautiful house located in a suburb close to a frozen lake with the occasional swan flying by. Shoveled off some snow in the front yard after a hearty Yamagata breakfast, got to do heaps at a Skii resort(lol ran into Fenton & Aures!), ate ice-cream after being in freezing temperatures (epic I tell you!), pork burgers for lunch, some Nitendo Wii matches with Aoi, craft with the girls, trying out peach & grape flavored Fanta, and cooking with Mrs Kawamura and the family...I'd do it again if I could!

Love you heaps, my Yamagata family! <3

On Repeat!

Thought I'd share you a vid of one of my favorite songs from the band The Magistrates. Sad they split up...but hey music is forever right?

:)

USP Lad Break's Guinness Record!

As the title suggests, University of the South Pacific's very own Peter Iroga of the Solomon Islands now holds the title of World's Largest Feet at a whopping size 26! Small world indeed, I've seen him around campus. Lucky bloke, congrats Peter with your new world title!







Photo: Courtesy of society/ezinemark

Got mail!

Nothing better than waking up and getting an envelope thrown on my bed, well it was the first of two postcards (in envelopes) from Mexico- both from different senders!! MEXICO! Haha yeah I was so excited, the first postcard depicts a self-portrait of the famous Frida Kahlo. The other from Luis, containing an old $1000 Mexican bill and postcard captioned "Palenque, Chiapias, Mexico". Beautiful!

A Monday Tip!

If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap.

Joy & Curiousity: Upcoming trip to Vorovoro Island

As the title suggests, I'll be heading off to Vorovoro Island of Tribewanted fame. It's for my final TS unit so don't even think I get to travel to every island for free. Oh well, just a post to note down my excitement as well as a blink of curiosity and anxiety. Compost toilets here we come! Just hoping I don't get an allergy attack like I did back on beachcomber.haha but yes...Vorovoro Island...see you on Thursday!

Memoirs of Tokyo - Jan 2011 Part 1

Coping with Shipsickness: Day 20

Monday
1. Downloaded and listened to Brazilian funk & Swedish pop on my phone.
2.Chatted on skype (5 minutes- 3 hours "Busy" status)
3.Reply to Facebook messages...(Miguel, Dario & Jannah: whom I miss so much!)
4. Submitted an essay on "Achieving Sustainable Tourism"
5.Danced around the house to some music
6.Lunch with my mom...played with my dog Chubs
7.Cleaned up
8.Nap on the couch which turned took 2 hours...took my sleepy self to bed and slept.
9.Work out and shower
10. Called a friend, txted, went out to the porch to watch the sunset, hmm...watched the news...
11.Cooked dinner with mom, made some garlic bread...had a bit of Swiss choc...chatted with my bro
12...um...all of this, but it's pretty hard to not think of anyone from SWY23!

A walk to uni isn't the same anymore. Every song reminds me of some memory or someone. And every dream I dream is linked somehow to the last 2 best months of my life.

Arigato Japan!

So I'm back home, touched down on the 3rd of March. One week before the devastating earthquake/tsunami which took its toll on the lives of many loved ones, homes, businesses, towns, and even animals. The current nuclear threat continues to worry many and I constantly keep telling myself that if I was there, I'd be helping out as much as I can. But for now, all I can do is keep praying for my fellow friends around the country and constantly think of my family in Yamagata Prefecture. At the end of the month, our university is holding a fundraiser for Japan...pretty excited with helping out with my fellow SWYers!

Music therapy : a feel good 90's tune

Feeling much better?? I told you so!

Here's to a happy brand new 2011 adventure!

Here's a slight preview of thing's I'm bound to come across in the next couple of days...ok so maybe a little bit stereotypical there with Hello Kitty...but it's JAPAN!!!! Met a few delegates through facebook and emails. I can't wait to meet everyone! I'm willing to learn so much from this trip and further meet with my host family and experience true Japanese hospitality! :)


Oh and happy new year folks! I wish you the best in 2011 - LIVE :)




ps- if your reading this right now - leave a message or a comment!



xo from Fiji