Today...last full day in office!!

Yay, can hardly express how glad I am to be finishing the week in the office!  Before lunch everyone in my section left to go to Shunan for a meeting.  Leaving me sitting there, all day long entertaining myself!  Not that the other peops in the section entertain me usually, but there is a sense of solidarity in all sitting there together, getting through the day.  Cos I know for a fact (ok, maybe not for a fact) that they do a lot of paper shuffling, "oh I'm so busy, working working working" kind of business.  So sitting there alone, is rather gutting!
 
So, I said yesterday I was going to write an article about Fukuoka/Hiroshima night clubs...But Jo, the little whipper-snapper, got in there first!  So I then decided I shall let my creativity flow, all while using my Japanese prowess and write a few haiku!  Rather amusing time it was actually, though I had to keep hiding them in case the real Japanese folk saw, and commented, etc...I made up some stuff about the day you see! 
 
Now I have about 30 mins til home time.  And I won't be back at the office for a full day until next term!  On Monday I am going to go to Shimonoseki to help out Jo with a presentation.  Then
Tuesday and Wednesday,  I have got off to clean and pack!  Yay! 
 
The day isn't over for me at 4pm-ish though...no sirree!  I am going to slog it out in the kitchen to create Abra's favourite 'Selene' food!  I'm actually sure Meag and others like the stuff just as much, but only Abra tends to go on about food A LOT!!  So on the menu is tacos (not on the list of Selene food, but we all love them), hot potato salad, pavlova, and banana bread!  I made the pav last night, and has to be said, it is the most successful in-Japan-pav to date!  I was thinking about making pikelets, cos the girls haven't tried them...only mocked the name of them!  Until I came to Japan and met these dirty-minded Americans, pikelets never brought any other words to mind!  I don't think I will make them however...
 
Ok, home time soon, better go get ready! 

Stuff...

Today I sat in the office, doing what I always do - making myself look busy, all the while doing nothing..!  It is in fact quite an art, and I readily admit I suck at it!  I try hard, but, although I have never had the other office folks feedback, I think I fail to make myself look fulfilled during my 7 hours in the office. 
 
I try to plan what I will do for my day, and the night before I hunt around the apartment, in my big "stuff" cupboard for something that will keep me occupied.  Thus far in my summer office sessions, I have made a Thailand photo album, converted a summer's worth of rather amusing emails between me and a friend to Microsoft Word (I will give her this as a book!), and done a power point presentation for newbie orientation at kencho.  I only had real trouble yesterday, oh god I could've chewed my arm off I was so bored... I searched high and low for an activity for the day before I went to work, but to no avail...I had to bike off with the knowledge that I only had my usual newspaper, book, and Japanese study books sitting on my desk ready for me. 
 
So at times like that, it must be blatantly obvious to all that I am in near pain with boredom...I sigh, I stretch, I even filled the bottom of my lip balm with twink (white-out/correction pen...??), and started making a twink mountain on my notebook - things got pretty extreme yesterday!  Today I took my laptop, so I manage to keep myself amused on that, just typing stuff, nothing in particular usually, but it gets me through the day!
 
It really is so stupid that we must go and sit there with nothing to do.  I'm all for working, you know, us kiwis have a reputation for being workers!  But, give me something to do!!!  Ah, the JET programme...you gotta love it!  Mind, it is better than being in a hot sweaty school, or sitting at home using my own air con! 
 
Now, must go and decide what to do tomorrow...last day of the week thank God, so should try make it a goodie..!!  I have a little idea, Jimmy (fellow JET, and editor of JET Zenzen Magazine) needs stuff to fill the mag that is due out next week (he must be desperate to consider my words!), so twas thinking... Since there are new people arriving, us wise and knowledged folk should spread the word of Fukuoka and Hiroshima...!  So people of the Guch, staying and departing, send me your wisdom, recommendations, words, discouragements, etc, etc, and I shall write a wee article! 

They just keep leaving...!

So I have just got home from another farewell.  I tell you, I have been out just about every night for the last week, and it's not stopping...And I'm not even the one leaving!  There is the occasional party/dinner for me, as a see you after summer kinda gig, but otherwise it's all goodbyes for the dearly departing..! 
 
So weird to think that a year ago (well, a week less of), I arrived in Japan, in Tokyo, and then a group of us were flown down to the Guch to begin at least a year in the unknown, doing the unknown.  I arrived in Yamaguchi on the Wednesday, and my supervisor took me to lunch, the office, the city hall, then the station... I was SO knackered, and knew I was on the verge of breaking down...So when we were standing in the station and Zoe walked by, I did just that!!  Burst into tears, surely freaked out my supervisor, causing him to think a nutcase has just been placed in his supervision! 

I swear that break-down did good!  Things could only get better, and for about a month the office lady and other Ed. Office staff questioned how I was, if I was home sick etc!  But that day, after leaving Christchurch 4 days earlier, then NZ the day after that, I had sucked it in, cos I couldn't be a blubbering mess when there was other stuff to get on with... But when I got back to my apartment (which had been locked up for 2 wees ks...so freckin' hot!), and the door closed, I just bawled...then I talked to my Mum, and bawled and said "I can't even watch TV, cos I don't understand it!"  Really funny know I look back!  And there began my countdown, '364 days til I can go home, 363 days til I can go home...' Seriously! 
 
But then I met great people, realised urine-smelling English camps were not going to be frequent events, and realised even though everyone is at least 30mins away, it really isn't that far.  So, now as the first year comes to an end, and I am going to start another year, I can't believe this year went so fast.  I am sad that so many of my friends are leaving (thankfully not all of them though!).  I do wonder what I will do with myself when previously I have talked on the phone about nothing cos I can't be bothered hanging up, or got drunk in the  apartment, dancing around cos Asa (Yamaguchi in general for that matter), doesn't have anywhere better!?  But, when I see people packing up and being sad about leaving, I am SO glad I am staying another year.  There is so many places I want to go, so many things I want to do, and I know I will meet many more fantastic people too.  I have been lucky to have a good job, where I don't have to sit at the desk being bored all day with teaching only 2 classes - I can go home.  I have a great supervisor and generous holidays.  As well as a prior interest (and a huge student loan!) in Japanese. 
 
But to think a year has passed...MAN!!  Only just over a week til I do finally get to go home!!  So can't wait, the countdown never did stop, just the reasons I longed for it to arrive changed!!  It's weird though, cos while I'm so excited about going home, I'm sad too cos friends are leaving...Ya can't win, eh!

At the office...

Today is the first day of what I imagine to be a long week at the office.  Usually I never use the computer, except to print off things to take back to my desk to work on.  But today, I have ventured to use to internet, and even update my blog! 
 
So, had such a busy weekend, I am still so tired.  On Friday night we (can't be bothered listing names, you know who you are if you were there!) drank at Nitanda beer garden, good night, depsite a few upset souls when told that there were no fried potato! 
 
On  Saturday I was up early, while others lay slumbering to go to Asa High English Day.  It was really fun, the kids were all genki, and I saw some students who I met at their Junior high last year.  But MY GOD it was hot!  Especially cooking lunch for over 2 hours in a boiling home ec room.  I stand by my diagnosis that I got slight heat stroke that day.  Then after a quick post-English day drink at Nitanda, I got on the train to go to the Akiyoshi Fireworks. 
 
It was an act and a half trying to work out how everyone was going to get there, and I comtemplated not going, but then there it was going to be the last time to hang out together with everyone, so after some bitching and complaining on my part I made it!  Thankfully, when I arrived at Meag's everyone was still there, and we went together, cos if I had been by myself getting to the place I would have been right shitty!!  It was a mission!!
 
After really cool, and spectacular fireworks in a cool setting, and some good ol' festival food, we headed back to the car (which was a 20-30 min walk from the bus we took to the actual place)... Well, we never did get on a bus to get back to the car...we were led by Meag's neighbour, and we walked and walked, and sweated and sweated for an HOUR back to the car!!  Oh my, it was so hot!  Poor Meag was trotting along in her yukata and geta shoes...truly trying times they were! Shelli and I did manage to make the time pass with a few songs, entertaining us and many others I'm sure!  The best sing was in the tunnel, cos the acoustics were awesome!!
 
So finally after getting back to Meag's and having a rest, Mary, Abra and I drove to Mine, and Mary and I finally got back to Asa at 2am!  Big night!
 
Yesterday was the Asa Fireworks, no way as spectacular as Akiyoshidai's, but the whole Station Road (eki-dori), was filled with festival stalls and people.  It was so cool to walk through and see so many people out in their colourful yukata.  I've honestly never seen so many young people (actually people in general) in Asa!! 
 
So that was my busy weekend, this week is going to be busy too, but with boring long days...must sleep lots to keep up with it!

Surviving the Japan summer...

So, today it has to be said is damn hot.  But, thankfully I have been saved from the boredom of the office because Mary has come to stay.  She has come to the metropolis of Asa, to spend her final days in the Guch!  So this morning I went off the the office at 8.20am, and promptly asked my supervisor if I could go home at 12pm since Mary had come to stay.  I thought the quicker I get it said the better, so after studying for a couple of hours I came home.  Ever so grateful I must add, I don't wish to sound like I am taking advantage of my situation, because I NEVER would!
 
So, as I said it's hot, which really there is only one solution.  Hole ourselves up in one room, cranking the air con.  Slight deja vu as I remember doing this exact thing in the winter, but with the heater going...
 
Tonight we are going to the beer garden.  Actually Nitanda, there used to be only this one in Asa, but the Asa Station Hotel has just started advertising a beer garden - with lift access!!  Nitanda is a bit more simple.  Owned by good ALT friend Miyuki and her husband, we have to walk (climb) up the 3 stories, but it is always so nice once we get there!  The sad thing about the beer garden is that it is only open from the beginning of June til about end of September.  So needless to say I like to spend a lot of time there to enjoy the beer garden drinking pleasures!  I will be back there on Sunday (for Asa Fireworks), and then Tuesday (for farewell drinks) and...!!
 
Has to be said chu-his, eda-mame (soy beans), and beer gardens are the saving grace of Japan summer!!

Another day down...

So today at the office I planned the perfect entertainment to keep me busy all day.  And I did stay busy all day too, well done me!  So I started in my usual fashion by reading the paper and doing the crossword.  Could barely do any of it though, chotto tricky today. 
 
After that, I started my project of the day...making a Thailand Photo Album...with a few stories about the fun stuff!  I got a cool recycled paper book from Christine in Thailand for my secret santa pressie, then I simply glued the photos in!  I also had captions (on blue paper), and every now and then I wrote wee stories (on green paper) about such things as our first night out in Patong Beach when we ended up at every random bar in the place, our Phi Phi Islands Xmas Day, Ping-Pong Ball show night, etc, etc.  I am rather impressed with my album, and all day I could tell people wanted to see the photos...but I wasn't going to share!  But later the lovely OL saw the postcard of the Emerald Buddha Pavillion, so asked to look at the photos.  I was a little embarrassed as most of them were of us drinking, and some of one Megan, and one Christine pole-dancing!!  No worries, gave her something to tell the office after I left for the day!!
 
So that was my day, but now I am a tad concerned about what to do tomorrow...I will have to study some Japanese since I didn't today.  But, in all honesty, one can only study Japanese for so long...AND then, there is still Friday... ARGHH!  Must go put my thinking cap on...

One day down...so many more to go...

Oh God, how am I going to survive another approx. 10 days in the office?  Today was my first in quite a while, and it has to be said - it's damn BORING!!  I started the day at 8.30 by reading the Daily Yomiuri thoroughly, and doing the crossword.  Then I moved onto studying some Japanese, so boring too...some stage through the morning my electronic dictionary's batteries died so studying was out.  The rest of the day passed by reading, studying Japanese (got new batteries at lunch time), doing puzzles in an old magazine, and writing letters.
 
I have a bit of a plan for tomorrow...I'm going to make a Thailand Photo Album.  I have so many photos lying around, so I shall endevour to make a classy wee album, that should fill in a day at least...
 
So, on Saturday I was invited by one of my primary schools' vice-principals it go to New Zealand Village.  So weird that Yamaguchi has such a place... So I invited Abra to join us, cos she could hook us up with free entry!!  No, really I wanted to share my homeland with someone appreciative... 
 
I had been warned that I shouldn't go, cos it would make me sad and I wouldn't like to see the animals...it was a strange, weird place...  I don't think the place has been painted since it was opened 20 years ago, and needless to say, I won't be rushing back!  There were all these random attractions, that personally, I couldn't see exciting a hyperactive 5 year old.  There were monkeys.  Monkeys for crying out loud, we don't have monkeys last time I was home.  The worst thing was the cows.  They were in the milking contraptions (I think, honestly I only looked at them for about 20 seconds), and you could see every rib and their hipbones and all.  Oh it was so awful, and there was this big horse in a concrete stable, crying out for love and the want to run free across the land...
 
Another weird thing was the Kiwi guy working there...Strange lad he was...Walked like a Neanderthal, and wasn't the best conversationalist.  I actually got a bit worried that I have in fact forgotten what guys at home are like.  I hope he isn't it, and I've created this morphed illusion in my head!!
 
Ah well, I am glad I have been to NZ Village now, so when the kids ask, I can say 'yes', but I won't be going back (by choice)!

Wow...Here I am!!

I have finally entered the world of blogging!!  After being a avid reader and commenter of many others' blogs, I have finally started my own.  Though if it weren't for the ingenious persuasion of a wise Jo (Miss Smallface, to her blog fans!), I don't think I'd be here.  As it is only a couple of weeks before we are all separated by thousands of kms, she thought the best way to keep each other in touch would be for us all to blog...Smart cookie isn't she!
 
So...to ease myself into this whole blogging thing...I will do the introductory blog!  I, as mentioned, am a New Zealander living in Yamaguchi-ken, Japan.  Way back at the beginning of August 2003, I met wonderful people, also on the JET programme, such as, Abra, Meagan, Jo, Jocelyn, and Mary to name a few.  It was young Abra, who was taken by the whole NZ thing...and put down my linguistic differences, and other minor quirks (for want of a better word) to the fact that I am an "island folk".  Thus, the name of this blog was born!  It has come to my attention on many occasions actually, that Abra is rather envious of the 'island folk'.  Secretly, I think she harbours a desire to be one of us... We are an exceptional class of the human race, if I do say so myself!
 
Anyway, enough said to get this under way.  It has been a rather full weekend, so must sleep before my action packed day at the education office tomorrow...Oh, I just can't wait!!