Water Works

And so it ends... or is it begins? Well, last "full" day(and school day) in Fukuoka and since I decided to go to kyudo one last time today, we had a "party" for me last night. Omoto-san(Otousan's coworker/okaasan's friend) takes me home from kyudo everytime I go, so she was invited. Okaasan's Korean friend (who speaks fluent English, Japanese and Korean and is learning Chinese right now) also came. Then it was the rest of the family expect otousan because he had a court hearing or something(he's the lawyer... not the criminal) and he decided to stay downtown so he wouldn't have to rush. We had lots of good food and after dinner, I scrambled to get my speech in my head to some degree. Didn't work.

Yesterday Shibata-sensei worked like mad with me to help me finish my speech. We worked a little too hard on it because when it was done... it was 3 pages long and over 10minutes long. ^.^;; Yesterday was a really busy day, since not only did I have to finish my speech, but I also had pottery afterschool. Luckly, Shibata-sensei had a class till 5pm and pottery ends around then, so it was fine. We cut as much as we could and got it down to about 10 minutes. She then gave me a drive to the train station and wished me good luck with the speech since she couldn't make it today.

The speech went decently.... I think. I'm not sure if they understood half of what I said, because I was too nervous and I forgot when the waterworks started, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't even at the end of the 2nd page. I looked like I was cold when I was waiting outside the hall for everyone to go in because I was so nervous. I started a little shaky... and I started crying pretty badly during the speech and had to stop because I couldn't read past the tears that had built up. I'm sure I made lots of pronounciation and tone mistakes, but overall it went well. Imaizumi-okaasan came to listen and after the speech she came over to me all teary and said something sentimental (seeing her cry made me start crying again so I lost concentration on what she was saying) and wouldn't let go of my hand. So far, I've got some goodbye presents from Momoko and Nanako(wasn't expecting any from them) and now I'm hoping I have enough beads(for making crosses/the only thing I remember how to make by memory) and sticker pictures to give out as makeshift thank you presents. Its funny, how I have stuff to give to Sasaki-san and Yanaga-san, even though Yanaga-san isn't here today and I really don't think Sasaki-san was touched about me mentioning us going to Fukuoka Dome for the "event" (didn't say cosplaying, because in Japan, you don't really tell the world stuff like that...its "embarassing")

Debating what kind of reaction I would get if I gave Sasaki-san and Yanaga-san rather "big" presents and I don't give everyone else that I mentioned in my speech presents. Especially Ai-chan and them... Its not like I didn't want to not give them something... but time ran out, and it just so happens that Yoshie-chan gave me a poster of Harukanaru (the series that my friends cosplayed from) which would make a good present for Yanaga-san. And I have a Nightmare before Chirstmas folder that I used for a week or two that would most likely be better suited for Sasaki-san. Don't know how I'm going to get that poster to Yanaga-san though.. because she isn't here today (dangit, I wanted to take some pictures with her and of course, I would have liked to know how she would have reacted to my mentioning about our "outings") Well, maybe I'll be lucky and she'll come after lunch or something... although I think I'm just being too hopeful.

I think I've rambled enough... not even half way through the day and I've already rambled a days worth. This is most likely the last time I'll be blogging from Japan so see you guys in.... wow, basically a day! Gotta go finish making crosses! Ja.

Moved To Tears

First period of my 3rd last day in Japan and I've already cried. We were really busy this past week and a half preparing for today's worship and when we finally performed it today, Ai and Saki (with Maiko and Airi doing Japanese translations) basically recapped my whole stay in Japan. なつかしいね。。。　Ai started from September and said how it was difficult for me coming during the middle of mid-terms and the school festival but I did well. Then she moved onto October, and during the school trip we had fun staying up late talking and getting "scolded" by the teachers. Then in December, I made those little cookies for everyone. I was moved, but not to tears yet at that point. Then during the prayer, Saki prayed for the people affected by the tsunami and my safe return home. She also thanked God for our friendship. That got the eyes a little watery and by the time Airi had to do the Japanese translation she her voice was unsteady from holding back tears. After all the other classes left, Aki called Ai and Airi over and was like "look, you're all crying now" and that really got the tears rolling when I saw them all teary. We took some pictures together as a class after that (unfortunately, I don't think some people that I wanted in the picture were there... namely Yanaga-san) Well hopefully I can take a ton more pictures with small groups of people before I go. Its too bad that they have school and a test on the day I'm leaving.

On a side note... I had a kind of interesting moment/conversation with Aki yesterday afterschool during practice, which continued this morning during our final practice. Yesterday I was tired from a long day at school and while resting my head on Aki's shoulder I was looking at at our "conductor" (Nonaka-san who got the position of conductor because we don't have any music club students in our class and the closest we could get was a drama club person) I was like to her (just out of the blue) "ne... am I'm crazy for thinking our conductor is cute?" Well, good thing (and bad at the same time) she didn't really understand what I said and then she was like "who? Kaneda-sensei? EH!?!" Well, Kaneda-sensei isn't "cute" but I think he looks okay. Either way, I spent practically the rest of the practice telling her to pretend I didn't say anything and that NO, I wasn't refering to Kaneda-sensei(who is our Bible teacher/worship leader btw). Well, by the end of practice and before I went home, I finally told her what I said and she was like "No, its not weird or embarassing. I think she's cute too." Well, that kind of made me feel a little better. It didn't feel as wrong anymore.

This morning, I said to Aki how I feel stupid for what I said yesterday about Nonaka-san. But then she was like "You shouldn't feel stupid, everyone thinks she's pretty" That kind of dissolved the rest of the "stupid" feeling I had. Now if only I could stop being envious of how everyone is able to talk to her so easily. Meh, I'm most likely just not trying hard enough. On another side note, the day before, the choir teacher was helping us with our singing and she made Nonaka-san read the lyrics of one of the songs "passionately" and "with feeling" to show us how we should be singing the song. She sounded really, REALLY cool. No wonder she's in the drama club. Luckly I wasn't the only one who thought so, because Ai-chan was also said it was really nice(すばらしい　was her exact words). I think she would make a really good voice actress... you know, the kind who play young boys like Ryoma. ^.^;; I wish I got a recording of her when she was reading the lyrics... I think you guys would agree.

Okay, I think that's enough about Nonaka-san to last for a lifetime. Problem with me is I get obsessive about things... like Gachapon machines. -_- Those things are robbing me blind. Anyways, have to slap together the beginnings of my leaving speech before 3rd period. Ja.

So Much To Do... So Little Time

Well, here we are. The count down has begun and its 10 days until I come home. Still trying to figure out if that's a happy thing or a sad thing. Well, I suppose it can be both.

Yesterday morning, I went to the bank with okaasan to close my bank account and to send JFIE money for my plane ticket. Stupid JFIE people.. why couldn't they have told me that I would need to pay for my ticket while in Japan BEFORE I came here. Wouldn't have to worry about being thrifty if they did. But they didn't. Either way, it was nice being able to wake up late on a Wednesday, but going to the bank that day kinda threw everything off schedule as I was late for Japanese class(and worried Shibata-sensei) and after school we had practice for our class leading morning worship. After practice, I had to go to kyudo but I stayed behind after worship practice just to hang out with my friends and help them with their homework. I was late for kyudo (it starts at 6:30 and I got there around 7) but it was worth it since I got to laugh about the differences between English and Japanese animal sounds. Its nice being able to laugh like idiots once in a while.

Well, kyudo was the usual... cold. Last week I managed to hit the rim of the target and yesterday I hit closer towards the center. There is this really satisfying sound that you can hear when the arrow hits close to the center. So far it seems like a hit per time I'm there, but hey, its better than nothing. One of the teachers said that I had good "sense"... o.O umm, sure. Then another teacher (I think the only female one at that dojo) gave me a cloth covered card holder thing she bought from Kurume (whcih is famous for its textiles). That really surprised me.

Anyways, seems like as my leaving date is getting closer, there are more things to do. Not just packing and last minute shopping, but lots of stuff happening at school that I didn't know of until recently or friends asking for my help. It feels good, but I(ll be kinda happy when I get to crash and do almost nothing for 2 weeks before second semeter starts. I can't wait to get back to do some business (Yes Nick, I remember your order, I'll try to get it done ASAP) been itching to make stuff and I have lots of ideas for new products. I think I might start leaning towards doing "fan service" stuff instead of props and accessories. There are people out there who have the right kind of equipment and better know-how of making props and accessories, so it might be best to leave it to them. Anyways, that's a little off topic (for this blog anyways)

Well, chyme just went. THat means its pottery time. Woot! Off I go! Ja.

Happy New Year! (Sorry for the late greeting)

First day back at school and its already a messed up day. Okay, so it really isn't that bad, just a few classes changed to different periods and a school rule check after lunch. -_- Dangit it hurts to type with my short nails (stupid check). Its kinda nice to be back at school, because it gives me a chance to talk to people... although I can't say that I have done much of that this morning. Either way, it was strange waking up this morning, since I'm used to waking up around 11ish. Also, someone (or something) fell down the stairs or something this morning, because I was awaken by a loud thud and okaasan lecturing about the thud. Its strange waking up at 6am and its pitch black, but atleast I wasn't too tired this morning and managed to drag myself out of bed in less than 10 minutes.

Well, enough about this morning. The chirstmas break was rather uneventful. I got a few new year postcards from my friends and we had expensive/really good food on January 1st. On monday, I went to Imaizumi's house for a sleepover of sorts since they were going to a temple as a family and wondered if I wanted to go with. I was a little irky about at first... although I don't know why. Either way, I'm happy I went, because I finally got to get that spunky looking arrow from the temple (Ivan, do you want one of those as your "something from Japan"? Its guaranteed to be made in Japan because the monks make them... I think) and I got to watch this sport of sorts which I read about in one of them tourist pamphlets okaasan gave me. I took lots of pictures and video of it, so you guys can see them when I get back. Okay, back on topic. Since Yuri is going to American sometime this summer, she decided to make a photo album of herself from when she was little till now and give it to her host family after her stay. So we spent most of our time infront of the TV and I was translating captions for her to write in the album. We had a really good dinner that night (lots of sashimi) and then Imaizumi-san asked me if there was anywhere I wanted to go. I was thinking it would be nice going to an onsen, since it has been rather cold lately and she suggested that we could go to the spa across from where she works, since she has cupons for it. So it was decided.

I think this post is getting a little too long, so I'll just start sumarizing. Basically we planned on a one night stay, but because we went to the spa, I stayed another night. The second night, I stayed up till 2am just chatting with Imaizumi-san. The next day (yesterday) I was getting ready to leave, and I was telling them how I have to pay for my tickets and that once I pay for it, I'll have really little money left. Then I joked about how I'll just eat less and go on a "diet". Apparently she took me a little too seriously because on the way to the train station (she gave me a ride there) she told me to wait in the car and when she came back, she had 2 bags of candy, chocolates and donuts and she bought me a bus/train pass since my bus pass expired. Then she was like to me "please eat properly and take care of yourself" I was moved. I mean, really, really moved. On top of that, she gave me 1000yen for new years money before that. I kinda feel bad though, because its one thing to give me new years money and food, its another to be paying for my transportation. I found a 5000yen note tucked away in my bank book holder so I plan on somehow getting that back to her to pay her back for the bus pass. I hope she doesn't take it offensively (you never know, she might think that I don't appreciate her gift or something)

Well, I think that all I really wanted to ramble about. I'm starving right now and I'm very happy that they bumped lunch up so its earlier now. But I have to eat cheaper food now so miso ramen and katsudon will now be consumed only once a week. -_- Dang, shouldn't talk about food, cuz its making me hungry. Okies, going to get back to chatting with you guys. Ja.