Never forgotten

Oops, have I forgotten to update my page for too long already again...
I am ashamed... 'cause how can I forget the time I have had in Japan. I am back in the Netherlands now, and missing Japan still almost every day. The experiences, the country, the people... Yeah, you could say they have all taken a little place in my heart, and a little of that same heart remained in Japan when I left. No, I have not forgotten about it all, nor will I ever. How can a country and culture so different, make you feel so at home?
My time in Japan has ended for now, and so I will end this 'diary' as well. However, because I am far from bored of traveling, I will start with my Master Thesis Project soon, which I partially will do in Pittsburgh, USA. Although USA is no Japan, I will try to post a message here now and then. So, Check on in again soon!

Now one last word to all the Japanese in general, all the people I have met while I was in Japan, and some people in specific:
Thanks! 'Till we meet again.

The glass is half full

Or in my case, I still have almost 6 months still to go... but those last 6 months passed way to fast. Oops, there goes my positive attitude...

Anw, looking back at those last 6 months, so many things happened. Arriving in a country from which I couldn't speak nor read the language (Now I do, at least a little), meeting so many interresting people, seeing and experiencing so many new and amazing things. I do feel at home here in Japan, and if it wasn't for little kids chasing you (at a polite distance) through shops, amazed by seeing a non-asian I guess, I would feel as if I had lived here all my live. Although I am still amazed/surprised by many things here.

More color blindness

Before, I already wrote about the colorblindness from Japanese concerning traffic lights, but there is more!

Ever wondered what the color of an apple is when it's not red? Yellow, or green? Well, in Japan, it apparently is very easy, it's all blue! For that matter, an unripe banana, when it's not yet yellow.... it's ....

...indeed, blue!

Hmmm, There seems te be a pattern here, every greenish color that changes into another color (when it ripens) is called blue!
Ok, some Japanese would trow in an nice excuse; long time ago, there were 2 different mays of writing the word for "blue" one represented the green color, and one the blue.

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... :)