December again

I can't believe it's December already again. Where did the time go?

Now another year's over, another year's gone.
Mine was a good one, so many things done.
Hope you had some fun too,...
I hope you enjoyed.

Another year'll be starting, many surprises it'll bring.
some good and some less ones,...
lets treasure them all!

I'll continue trying to keep you up to date of my surprises here, but please keep me up to date from your side as well!!!
Happy New Year! �މ�V�N (kin ga shin nen!)

Getting a haircut

Well, as always in Japan, when you think things are getting normal, it will surprise you once again. Today I went for a haircut.. I brought with me: 2 dictionaries (JP->EN and EN->JP), one piece of paper with something written on it I couldn't read (which supposedly was how I wanted my hair done), and a lot of courage. 10 minutes later and a lot of hair and only 1000 Yen (EUR 7,80) lighter, I had had my haircut, AND was vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner.. and I think it doesn't even look that bad. Moreover, I didn't even have to use the dictionaries!!! (Thanks Takako, for the writing!)
Amazing.... Japan.

3 months after leaving...

...and the interesting experiences from the beginning are getting more normal now. Did I already write that they call the green traffic light blue here? The color is the same, but somehow, Japanese call it blue.... Oh, by the way, If someone ever tells you about the autumn skies in Japan, and tell you there is nothing like it, just believe it. Because that's the way it is... I've never seen nicer skies then the evening skies here now.

And now you are reading this, I'd also like to ask you something; "How are you doing?" Please let me know how things are going with you, since I am almost forgetting there is a life besides the wonderful one I'm having here ;-)!

Hope to hear from you soon!

OK, very soon

The BBQ from yesterday was amazing, it all tasted so good! and because we were at the river side, it was lots of fun as well! Even though it was only supposed to last until 2 pm, most people left at like 5 pm, the weather was too nice, and the event itself was a big success! Only my face thinks otherwise. It got sunburned :(

But it still was fun though! and the river was so nice, a bit strong current, but that made crossing it even more fun... :)

Two months gone

No, I won't repeat from the previous entry. I still don't feel like I know much more Japanese then when I arrived, but somehow, I'm able to get done what needs to be done. I guess I mastered like the 3 most important words, and know when to use them.

Oh, before I forget, 2 weeks ago (already!) I had my summer vacation. I went to Kyoto and Osaka. Sooo many temples and shrines in Kyoto! Amazing! We were also so very lucky with the weather. yeah, I'm starting to like this country more and more. But a 1000 words can not describe it well, pictures might be able to tell; they say more than a thousand words (at least to me :) ).

Anyway, it seems like life is settling down, even though I still have little time for myself, there is so much to do, for instance, next Monday it's a national holiday, but because there is a BBQ from the company, I'll be out all day! I love it! Well, talk to you again soon!

One month gone

I'm here for one month now, and still don't speak much more Japanese then I did when I arrived here. However, I think I already can call this place home. I have found ways to do my shopping and getting around, with the limited Japanese I know. I owe a lot to my friends though, both the other international students here, as well as the Japanese. I think the main reason why this place feels like home already, is them. Not like we are doing things together all the time, but just knowing you have them as a friend somewhere around... However, I need not to forget the Japanese in general, they are such a nice people, that helps a lot as well. Even without many words they are capable of making you feel welcome. A very nice quality if you'd ask me :-)

Just an update

I finally got a cellphone, makes meeting friends (e.g. in strange train stations) a lot easier. I also got myself a bicycle, which makes getting to town a lot easier. It's a 30 minute walk to the station (and 10 minutes to work), but by bike it is so much faster!!! Even though they don't know bike paths here, you just use the sidewalk, or the road, whatever is easier.