Hey Everyone
So it is almost time to come back to Canada, I am ready but there is also so much more that I would love to do here. Ah well guess I will have to come back again. So I spent the last day and a half in Aso hiking the volcano and relaxing, it was beautiful and amazing. However, today I forgot to put on sunscreen and am a little burnt but that is okay.
Now I am in Hemeji, back on Honshu Island. I will spend the night here and then see the castle first thing in the morning, I have been told by a number of sources that it is the best one in Japan. It is still the original wood castle that was built so many years ago, most of the others are concrete replicas cause they burned down. I am excited it should be interesting since the inside is unchanged so I will be able to see how ppl lived there as well as see the museum stuff. Apparently there are all these hidden passage ways and staircases for defence. I am hoping that there will be an english guide available since there are apparently some that work there but you can not book one ahead of time.
After the castle I am going to head back towards Tokyo, I will have to see how time is going for whether I stop in Osaka for a bit or not. Then Monday morning I will hang out around Tokyo then head to Narita airport to check in then fly home. I leave here at 7pm local time on monday and land in Vancouver at 12 noon local time there on monday. So does that mean what I do from noon to 7 here does not exsist since I redo the time in Vancouver? what kind of trouble can I get in to (just kidding).
So I left my wallet on the train in Miyazaki but thankfully got it back right away since the train went out to the airport then returned to the station I had got off at and the ticket seller who was helping me contact the train ran out and retrieved it for me. Thank you Lord. Another interesting Japan memory and experience.
Well this will probably be my last post from Japan but we will see. Once I am back in Canada I will update on what will happen then since I have reached a desicion (at least I am pretty sure that I have reached a decision). Love you all, miss you, see you soon. God bless and take care.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Oita
Hey Everyone
So I am in Kuyshu now in a place called Oita. I have not yet gone to Aso. I am still deciding if I will go there tomorrow or go farther south to another volcano and then make my way back up to Aso via Nagasaki. Last night I stayed in Hiroshima since I did not get away from Tokyo until 4 which was okay since I really enjoyed exploring Dream Island but made it too late to come all the way to Kuyshu. I am having a lot of fun and only got completely lost once today. Well will post more later got to go have some dinner.
Love you and miss you. Take care and God bless.
So I am in Kuyshu now in a place called Oita. I have not yet gone to Aso. I am still deciding if I will go there tomorrow or go farther south to another volcano and then make my way back up to Aso via Nagasaki. Last night I stayed in Hiroshima since I did not get away from Tokyo until 4 which was okay since I really enjoyed exploring Dream Island but made it too late to come all the way to Kuyshu. I am having a lot of fun and only got completely lost once today. Well will post more later got to go have some dinner.
Love you and miss you. Take care and God bless.
Monday, May 26, 2008
end of course and out on my own
Hey everyone
This morning we are going to Dream Island then the course is officially over. After that I am hopping on a train for about 7 hours and heading to Kyushu. I am excited but also a little bit scarded. Tom has taught me a lot of practical stuff about the trains and travel in Japan which will definately be helpful.
Well I got to go and write a quiz but I will talk to you all later. Take care and God Bless.
This morning we are going to Dream Island then the course is officially over. After that I am hopping on a train for about 7 hours and heading to Kyushu. I am excited but also a little bit scarded. Tom has taught me a lot of practical stuff about the trains and travel in Japan which will definately be helpful.
Well I got to go and write a quiz but I will talk to you all later. Take care and God Bless.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tokyo is crazy
Hey Everyone
We survived Tokyo station, the largest in Japan, however we did loose Tom, the teacher. It was crazy how many people there were and how congested everything was. I am not so sure that I like Tokyo, there are too many people in such a small place for my likings.
Last night we went to a buffet where we had to cook our own food on the grill in the centre of the table. It was good and I was glad to have a break from rice and noodles. Actually it was all you can eat and there was a bunch of fruit so that is mostly what I ate. My stomache is felling much better now, the fruit definately helped.
Today we are meeting the president of Tokyo University, then exploring Tokyo a bit, and at 2:30 we are going to the Canadian Embassy for a tour. It should be fun.
Tuesday we have a quiz in the morning and then are going to Dream Island, made of garbage. The course officially ends at noon and then I am heading to Kuyshu, very excited.
Well I got to go but I will post more later. Take care and God bless.
We survived Tokyo station, the largest in Japan, however we did loose Tom, the teacher. It was crazy how many people there were and how congested everything was. I am not so sure that I like Tokyo, there are too many people in such a small place for my likings.
Last night we went to a buffet where we had to cook our own food on the grill in the centre of the table. It was good and I was glad to have a break from rice and noodles. Actually it was all you can eat and there was a bunch of fruit so that is mostly what I ate. My stomache is felling much better now, the fruit definately helped.
Today we are meeting the president of Tokyo University, then exploring Tokyo a bit, and at 2:30 we are going to the Canadian Embassy for a tour. It should be fun.
Tuesday we have a quiz in the morning and then are going to Dream Island, made of garbage. The course officially ends at noon and then I am heading to Kuyshu, very excited.
Well I got to go but I will post more later. Take care and God bless.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
heading for Tokyo
Hey Everyone
We will be leaving Hamamatsu this afternoon and heading to Tokyo. I got really sick last night from lack of sleep and dehydration. Also it is raining really hard and is super muggy so I do not think that that helped any. I am feeling some better this morning and ate breakfast (I skiped dinner last night). I am hoping that the beds in Tokyo are much thicker than those that we have been sleeping on thus far as most night I feel as though I am sleeping on the floor even though there is a futon between me and the floor.
The four material things that I am missing the most over hear are my bed, brown bread, fruit, and beef.
Yesterday we went on a zip line trolley thing over lake Hamana it was great although I would have enjoyed it better had I been feeling better. Oh well. I got to go and pack to leave, we are going to yet another castle before we catch the train to Tokyo.
Love you all and miss you. God Bless.
We will be leaving Hamamatsu this afternoon and heading to Tokyo. I got really sick last night from lack of sleep and dehydration. Also it is raining really hard and is super muggy so I do not think that that helped any. I am feeling some better this morning and ate breakfast (I skiped dinner last night). I am hoping that the beds in Tokyo are much thicker than those that we have been sleeping on thus far as most night I feel as though I am sleeping on the floor even though there is a futon between me and the floor.
The four material things that I am missing the most over hear are my bed, brown bread, fruit, and beef.
Yesterday we went on a zip line trolley thing over lake Hamana it was great although I would have enjoyed it better had I been feeling better. Oh well. I got to go and pack to leave, we are going to yet another castle before we catch the train to Tokyo.
Love you all and miss you. God Bless.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Hamamatsu
Hey all
I have reached Hamamatsu after being on the train from 11:30 to 5 yesterday. It was a great trip with lots to observe. We are staying at a private highschool in their dorms, it is very interesting. The school is unique and very strict which I think is a good thing although it must be hard to be away from family.
Today we are going to a Yamah factory and will learn how motorbikes are made, it should be good. We are also going to a limestone cave, I am very excited about that. Tomorrow we are going to the ACT tower which is 45 stories high and then we will be heading to Tokyo. I am looking forward to seeing Tokyo but also am a bit worried about the congestion and the amount of people since I do not enjoy crowds and am running on sever lack of sleep which is beginning to make me touchy and grumpy. Oh well it will be an adventure.
The Hiroshima dome and museum was amazing, I wish that I could have spent more time there exploring the museum, as it was we were rushed since we had gone to Miajima the day before rather than that morning as was the plan cause some of the others did not want to be rushed at the island, which I can understand, but I think that the museum was much more interesting and geographical than the island. In short I would have liked more time at the museum and been rushed at the island. I am starting to get very annoyed at group decisions that do not involve the group, such as changing the events for the two days in Hiroshima around.
I am gald that I went to Kobe on my day off cause I actually learned something related to geography where as in Hiroshima we were more tourists and relaxing cause the others were tired and did not want to learn so Tom gave in especially since Cara, the TRU teacher with us, was also complaining. There is a lot of negativity and gossip occuring and I do not like it but yet do not know how to put a stop to it without causing more tension in the group. I generally just try to ignore it and if possible pretend the I am asleep because I do not want to be sucked in to the gossip.
Well I got to go now as we have a seminar for an hour before we head out for the day. Miss you all. Love you, and see you when I get back. God Bless.
I have reached Hamamatsu after being on the train from 11:30 to 5 yesterday. It was a great trip with lots to observe. We are staying at a private highschool in their dorms, it is very interesting. The school is unique and very strict which I think is a good thing although it must be hard to be away from family.
Today we are going to a Yamah factory and will learn how motorbikes are made, it should be good. We are also going to a limestone cave, I am very excited about that. Tomorrow we are going to the ACT tower which is 45 stories high and then we will be heading to Tokyo. I am looking forward to seeing Tokyo but also am a bit worried about the congestion and the amount of people since I do not enjoy crowds and am running on sever lack of sleep which is beginning to make me touchy and grumpy. Oh well it will be an adventure.
The Hiroshima dome and museum was amazing, I wish that I could have spent more time there exploring the museum, as it was we were rushed since we had gone to Miajima the day before rather than that morning as was the plan cause some of the others did not want to be rushed at the island, which I can understand, but I think that the museum was much more interesting and geographical than the island. In short I would have liked more time at the museum and been rushed at the island. I am starting to get very annoyed at group decisions that do not involve the group, such as changing the events for the two days in Hiroshima around.
I am gald that I went to Kobe on my day off cause I actually learned something related to geography where as in Hiroshima we were more tourists and relaxing cause the others were tired and did not want to learn so Tom gave in especially since Cara, the TRU teacher with us, was also complaining. There is a lot of negativity and gossip occuring and I do not like it but yet do not know how to put a stop to it without causing more tension in the group. I generally just try to ignore it and if possible pretend the I am asleep because I do not want to be sucked in to the gossip.
Well I got to go now as we have a seminar for an hour before we head out for the day. Miss you all. Love you, and see you when I get back. God Bless.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
in Hiroshima
Hey Everyone
I am in Hiroshima now and am having a blast. We are going to the bomb museum tomorrow and I am so excited, it should be great. Around noon we are leaving for Hamamatsu, where I will have to do my presentation. I am almost done organising it and will finish on the train tomorrow.
Today we went to an island that is designated as one of Japans 3 most scenic sites. It was beautiful and relaxing I had fun. Yesterday I went to Kobe and it was amazing, I visited the earthquake meomorial and museum it was crazy to see the devistation and to be able to see how much they have rebuilt.
We will be in Hamamatsu for 2 nights then on to Tokyo until the end of the course which will be Tuesday. After that I am on my own and will be heading to Kuyshu. I am so excited and am feeling more confident by the day that I can do this. It is going to be a blast, I already have over 1200 pictures, so we will see how many I end up with. I think that my camera and backpack were the best investments that I made for this trip as I am fine walking with my bag full and heavy, unlike most of the class.
I will be sending postcards in the next couple of days so if you would like to recieve one please email me your address and I will try to get one off to you.
Miss you all, love you and God bless.
I am in Hiroshima now and am having a blast. We are going to the bomb museum tomorrow and I am so excited, it should be great. Around noon we are leaving for Hamamatsu, where I will have to do my presentation. I am almost done organising it and will finish on the train tomorrow.
Today we went to an island that is designated as one of Japans 3 most scenic sites. It was beautiful and relaxing I had fun. Yesterday I went to Kobe and it was amazing, I visited the earthquake meomorial and museum it was crazy to see the devistation and to be able to see how much they have rebuilt.
We will be in Hamamatsu for 2 nights then on to Tokyo until the end of the course which will be Tuesday. After that I am on my own and will be heading to Kuyshu. I am so excited and am feeling more confident by the day that I can do this. It is going to be a blast, I already have over 1200 pictures, so we will see how many I end up with. I think that my camera and backpack were the best investments that I made for this trip as I am fine walking with my bag full and heavy, unlike most of the class.
I will be sending postcards in the next couple of days so if you would like to recieve one please email me your address and I will try to get one off to you.
Miss you all, love you and God bless.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Kyoto
Hey Everyone
I am now in Kyoto, it is huge and exciting. Today we travelled to Uji, the sister city of Kamloops, where we met the mayor and took a tour of the gold Buddha and temple and a tea factory, as Uji is the tea capital of Japan. It was amazing. We also went to Nara, the oldest city in Japan, and saw the great wooden Buddha, it is the largest in the world.
The place that we were supposed to stay at last night, tonight, and tomorrow night (here in Kyoto) has a bed bug infestation so they made other arangements for us however, it means that we are changing inns daily rather than being stationary for three night. Oh well.
Tomorrow we have a free day and I am not sure what I am going to do yet. It would be nice to explore Kyoto, but I am a little afraid I will get lost since it is so big and I definately do not want to stay with the group since I am getting rather irritated with them for a number of reasons. Tom is going to Kobe, one of the major ports in Japan, so I think that I might go with him and learn something as well as sightsee. I am discovering that I am not much of a tourist type traveller, I am sick of temples and castles already and I want to learn about the places and see the non-tourist side of things rather than just the tourist attractions. My other option for tomorrow is returning to Uji (and possibly Nara) and exploring them a bit more since we did not have much of a chance to. One thing that I would really like to see is a museum in Uji, that I have no clue how to spell it, but it is a dedication to the first novel and novelist, who just happens to be female, ever. It is the 1000 aniversary of the book this year so there is many special events occuring.
I am doing very well and am enjoying myself very much. Those that I am with are starting to get on my nerves but I think the day away from them tomorrow will really help with that. I am hoping that most of it is just the result of too much time together in such a fast paced atmosphere. I had better go now since I have to get some writing done and I want to have a shower and get to bed. I will post again when I can find a computer (some places, such as this one, have a computer that we can use and if not there are internet cafes). Well I will talk to you all later. God Bless and have a great night. Miss you all.
Oh yeah Happy Victoria Day.
I am now in Kyoto, it is huge and exciting. Today we travelled to Uji, the sister city of Kamloops, where we met the mayor and took a tour of the gold Buddha and temple and a tea factory, as Uji is the tea capital of Japan. It was amazing. We also went to Nara, the oldest city in Japan, and saw the great wooden Buddha, it is the largest in the world.
The place that we were supposed to stay at last night, tonight, and tomorrow night (here in Kyoto) has a bed bug infestation so they made other arangements for us however, it means that we are changing inns daily rather than being stationary for three night. Oh well.
Tomorrow we have a free day and I am not sure what I am going to do yet. It would be nice to explore Kyoto, but I am a little afraid I will get lost since it is so big and I definately do not want to stay with the group since I am getting rather irritated with them for a number of reasons. Tom is going to Kobe, one of the major ports in Japan, so I think that I might go with him and learn something as well as sightsee. I am discovering that I am not much of a tourist type traveller, I am sick of temples and castles already and I want to learn about the places and see the non-tourist side of things rather than just the tourist attractions. My other option for tomorrow is returning to Uji (and possibly Nara) and exploring them a bit more since we did not have much of a chance to. One thing that I would really like to see is a museum in Uji, that I have no clue how to spell it, but it is a dedication to the first novel and novelist, who just happens to be female, ever. It is the 1000 aniversary of the book this year so there is many special events occuring.
I am doing very well and am enjoying myself very much. Those that I am with are starting to get on my nerves but I think the day away from them tomorrow will really help with that. I am hoping that most of it is just the result of too much time together in such a fast paced atmosphere. I had better go now since I have to get some writing done and I want to have a shower and get to bed. I will post again when I can find a computer (some places, such as this one, have a computer that we can use and if not there are internet cafes). Well I will talk to you all later. God Bless and have a great night. Miss you all.
Oh yeah Happy Victoria Day.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
on the other side of the world
Hey everyone
All is going well in Japan, I am having a blast. We left Tsukuba Friday morning and drove to Kasatsu, a hotspring. Along the way we learned about many differnt towns and villages that we passed through and stopped at. In the evening I got to experience first hand a public bath, nude. It was great so relaxing and hot. This morning we left Kasatsu and drove to Joetsu (on the coast of the Sea of Japan). We are in a traditional Japanese inn meaning that we will be sleeping on the floor on futons with all the girls in one room and the guys in the other. The inn is situated on a man made lake that is so beautiful. Along the way to Joetsu we stopped to see Mt. Asama and went to the museum to learn about the eruption in 1789 (I think that is right). It was amazing but also slightly depressing since so many died in the eruption. Tomorrow we head down the coast to Kakagara (not spelled right at all) once we arrive there the Japanese masters students that we have been travelling with will leave us to go back to Tsukuba for class on Monday. We will then be travellling on the bullet train, so excited.
I am loving every minute that I am over here and trying to experience as much as possible. I am starting to get a little annoyed with many of the other students who seem to think that this should be a vacation and a sightseeing trip rather than a course. There are a couple with us that feel the need to complain about every little thing. So if you could pray for strength and wisdom to know how to respond to them that would be appreciated.
I am learning so much about Japan, the culture, and myself. I am very glad I am able to come on this trip. Love you all and miss you. See you soon. Take care and God bless.
All is going well in Japan, I am having a blast. We left Tsukuba Friday morning and drove to Kasatsu, a hotspring. Along the way we learned about many differnt towns and villages that we passed through and stopped at. In the evening I got to experience first hand a public bath, nude. It was great so relaxing and hot. This morning we left Kasatsu and drove to Joetsu (on the coast of the Sea of Japan). We are in a traditional Japanese inn meaning that we will be sleeping on the floor on futons with all the girls in one room and the guys in the other. The inn is situated on a man made lake that is so beautiful. Along the way to Joetsu we stopped to see Mt. Asama and went to the museum to learn about the eruption in 1789 (I think that is right). It was amazing but also slightly depressing since so many died in the eruption. Tomorrow we head down the coast to Kakagara (not spelled right at all) once we arrive there the Japanese masters students that we have been travelling with will leave us to go back to Tsukuba for class on Monday. We will then be travellling on the bullet train, so excited.
I am loving every minute that I am over here and trying to experience as much as possible. I am starting to get a little annoyed with many of the other students who seem to think that this should be a vacation and a sightseeing trip rather than a course. There are a couple with us that feel the need to complain about every little thing. So if you could pray for strength and wisdom to know how to respond to them that would be appreciated.
I am learning so much about Japan, the culture, and myself. I am very glad I am able to come on this trip. Love you all and miss you. See you soon. Take care and God bless.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
First Message From Japan
Hey Everyone
So I have made it to Japan. We arrived at 4pm local time yesterday which was about midnight BC time. By the time we got to the BC time. By the time we got to the university where we are staying until Friday morning and had something to eat it was 10pm local time so about 6am BC time and we were ready to crash. Everything has been great so far it is 12:15 Wednesday right now and we are heading to lunch. Then will be exploring the Tsukuba area (we are staying at Tsukuba University) this afternoon. So far the jet lag has been fine, hopefully it will be fine for the day.
It feels very much like Vancouver right now as it is raining and is damp. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of green space there is around as well as the amount of bicycles. We have not been to Tokyo yet so I have not experienced the big metroploitian areas yet. Tsukuba is like a suburb of Tokyo and we will be leaving Friday for the mountains and then onto the Sea of Japan so I will experience rural Japan. I am looking forward to it.
Hope everything is going great with all of you and I will keep you posted as to what I am doing. Talk to you later. God Bless.
So I have made it to Japan. We arrived at 4pm local time yesterday which was about midnight BC time. By the time we got to the BC time. By the time we got to the university where we are staying until Friday morning and had something to eat it was 10pm local time so about 6am BC time and we were ready to crash. Everything has been great so far it is 12:15 Wednesday right now and we are heading to lunch. Then will be exploring the Tsukuba area (we are staying at Tsukuba University) this afternoon. So far the jet lag has been fine, hopefully it will be fine for the day.
It feels very much like Vancouver right now as it is raining and is damp. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of green space there is around as well as the amount of bicycles. We have not been to Tokyo yet so I have not experienced the big metroploitian areas yet. Tsukuba is like a suburb of Tokyo and we will be leaving Friday for the mountains and then onto the Sea of Japan so I will experience rural Japan. I am looking forward to it.
Hope everything is going great with all of you and I will keep you posted as to what I am doing. Talk to you later. God Bless.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Off to Japan
Well I am leaving tomorrow morning for Japan, so excited but nervous as well. Keep me in your prayers and I will be praying for all of you back here in Canada. I will post as soon as I can once I arrive in Japan to let you know how the flight went and how I am finding Japan. For those of you in Maple Ridge I am thinking of having a get together Thursday June 12th in the evening but will confinrm and give you more details later. If this night does not work for you we can get together at another time. Love you all. Have a great night and God bless.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
things are progressing
So I almost have everything ready for Japan just have a few more things to pick up then I can start to pack the actual bag. I am a little worried that I do not really have a plan for the week that I am on my own, which is not like me at all. But I will work on it more today so that I can book accomodations otherwise I am not guaranteed a place to stay, even hostels have to be booked (didn't know that).
Things are going good here in Maple Ridge connecting with family and friends. It is so weird to think that I have been gone for four years, it does not feel that way at all. It will definately be a big adjustment if I move back here when I return from Japan, especially since my room is being used as the storage room and I am living out of a suitcase and a laundry basket. But hopefully this will change if I am back for a while. I am hoping to be able to set up my computer once I am back so that I can start on my paper, since my parents do not have MS Office on this computer. So hopefully my mom will get in a clean sweep mood while I am away and sort through all the stuff that is in my room. She organized the books today in the living room so that they are easier for the kid. Now if I could find a way to make it seem like cleaning the paperwork on my desk benefits him then it get done now. I won't hold my breath though, any suggestions.
Well I should get ready to go into town and spend more money that I do not have, oh well it will be worth it in the end.
Take care and God bless.
Things are going good here in Maple Ridge connecting with family and friends. It is so weird to think that I have been gone for four years, it does not feel that way at all. It will definately be a big adjustment if I move back here when I return from Japan, especially since my room is being used as the storage room and I am living out of a suitcase and a laundry basket. But hopefully this will change if I am back for a while. I am hoping to be able to set up my computer once I am back so that I can start on my paper, since my parents do not have MS Office on this computer. So hopefully my mom will get in a clean sweep mood while I am away and sort through all the stuff that is in my room. She organized the books today in the living room so that they are easier for the kid. Now if I could find a way to make it seem like cleaning the paperwork on my desk benefits him then it get done now. I won't hold my breath though, any suggestions.
Well I should get ready to go into town and spend more money that I do not have, oh well it will be worth it in the end.
Take care and God bless.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
On the move again
So I am in Maple Ridge for a week to finish getting everything ready for going to Japan as well as deciding what I am doing after I am done the stats and reports for SL when I return. I am getting super excited but also a little nervous - am I ready for this? Well ready or not here I go. For those of you who are in Maple Ridge I am busy on Wednesday night but other than that I have nothing planned thus far until I leave on Monday so let me know if you want to get together and what day and time work best for you.
I leave Monday around 2pm for Japan and will be back in Canada June 2 around 2pm. I will be returning to Kamloops either the following Saturday or Sunday.
Take care for now, and God bless.
I leave Monday around 2pm for Japan and will be back in Canada June 2 around 2pm. I will be returning to Kamloops either the following Saturday or Sunday.
Take care for now, and God bless.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)