Icciv's notes in Japan

Christmas with chopsticks.

I couldn't help but feel amused as I tucked into my christmas dinner with chopsticks last Saturday! The fact that it felt quite normal showed just how long I've been in Japan. I've made sooooo many turkey dinners this year, well Melissa has and I've helped, so I feel like I've certainly had my own christmas. I invited 4 of my teachers over last Thursday and cooked for them...I even made banana bread! It was really nice, and my kocho sensei made me a beautiful bowl in her pottery class. Then on Saturday we cooked for Chisato san and her friends, which meant Melissa stayed up until 5 am to make apple pie (I fell asleep on the sofa at about 2 am after getting grumpy with the apples and stabbing at them. Melissa told me I wasn't allowed to core apples again (I'm secretly happy about this...stupid apples).

I've had many late nights recently, but unfortunately they mainly involve cooking or making christmas cards. There was a time when I was staying up doing wild things...but this is restricted to weekends only.

I wanted to write so much more today, but as usual time has run away from me. I have to deliver letters and cards before heading home and posting everyones gifts. On Thursday I'm going on holiday...to Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. The itinery is Thu-Sat Kuala Lumpur, Sat - Wed Siem Reap, Cambodia, Wed - Mon Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Mon - Fri Ho chi minh, Vietnam and then an overnight stop in Kuala Lumpur on the way home. Pretty hectic and I still haven't packed. There is a risk I may get Malaria/typhoid or something else nasty happen. I want everyone to know I love them very much. Sorry if I haven't contacted you before I went, I had no time. Anyway, have a great christmas and New Year everyone, and I will hopefully update you on my return...and not have malaria!

Anyway, here are some photos of Kita-sho cultural festival from AGES AGO.







MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!! ENJOY THE YOURELVES.

posted by Icciv @ 11:21 am 2 comments

My name is Vicky, and I used to be homesick

Sometimes it can take the low points to let you appreciate the highs. Recently I started feeling homesick, not that I really wanted to admit it. I'd coped pretty well with adjusting to life here, and it was strange to feel this way now. It wasn't because I wanted to be back in Britian, just that I wanted to see my family and friends. I wanted people around me who knew me really well. On top of this, I've spent the past six weekends away from the island, so it's been busy and I've had many late nights and early starts. As my mum would say I've been burning the candle at both ends. With all this and the COLD COLD weather, I cracked slightly on the weekend.

We all have our moments, though mine was poorly timed, and I know it happens. It just hadn't happened to me in Japan yet.

But, when I got back home, I brushed myself down and pulled myself together, in the determined way people do in films when they realise that living in the past will get you nowhere (in my world this meant tidying my house and writing a lesson plan..but this isn't a film). I saw that even though this weekend went slightly to rack and ruin, I had friends to support me in Japan too. Sometimes all of fall apart a little, and I s'pose I have to realise that every one feels a little lost at times. Thats helped me get back on track...and things feel good again now.

Also, it's been difficult to know where to start with writing recently. So many things have happened that I don't want to miss then out or skim over them, yet I don't want to bore everyone to death with them either. I will try to write about my exciting weekends on Tuesday, I have to leave school now.

And as I sit in my favourite school, eating okinomiyaki..I can honestly say I'm extremely happy.

posted by Icciv @ 4:14 pm 0 comments

SHOCK!

A quick note before I leave school......

Today one of the children came up to me and said 'masturbation'!

posted by Icciv @ 4:13 pm 1 comments