tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57328092009-02-21T14:40:49.167+09:00Like seconds ticking away on my egg-timer.... these are the daze of my lifeDanolanoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1090818202026918442004-07-26T13:43:00.000+09:002004-07-26T14:03:22.026+09:00

Ok so I"v been really KAK about updating this blog. I have no excuse for it.  The fact of the matter is I"v been busy as HELL...and I figured anyone who wants to know what Im up to would email me. But anyway....I have a few minutes now....so Im gonna do my best to update this thing. Where to begin?? Well...lets begin with the Dust. I"v always considered my apartment to be clean & very livable.

Danolanoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1089418185138930732004-07-10T08:45:00.000+09:002004-07-10T09:09:45.136+09:00

Ok- so Iv been too busy to say something about my now not-so-recent trip to Hiroshima. A couple of weeks ago Oliver, Linz, Kristel & I went on a mini pilgrimage.I wanted to SEE what the war did...And BOY did I SEE! The A-Bomb Dome stands proud yet destroyed. It is the only thing that survived. The Peace Park is thought prevoking. The Museums simply HORRIYING. I was totally unprepared for what

Danolanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1089266982992106962004-07-08T15:02:00.000+09:002004-07-08T15:11:27.280+09:00

This is crazy! I have a few weeks left in Japan & a) I have an zillion things yet to pack. How on earth could I have accumulated so much junk in such a short space of time? b) I have no TIME to pack because I have not one or two- but 19 farewell dinners/parties in the next 21 days BUT c) Its too bloody HOT to do MOVE! The humidity today is 85%. EIGHTY FIVE!! And today is actually cooler than

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1087368384367456772004-06-16T15:34:00.000+09:002004-06-16T16:02:35.973+09:00

So after a long & winding road- my internet connection at home is FINALLY up & running. True...its just in time for me to leave (just 6 weeks to go) but Im actually GLAD I didnt get this organised earlier. WHY? Because the thing is quite addictive. If I got this thing earlier my social life (here)would have been over. In fact- I doubt I would have left my apartment. Actually...now that I think

Danolanoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1087282586429927232004-06-15T15:47:00.000+09:002004-06-16T16:03:10.546+09:00

Last night I had an amazing dream...in it I was talking to an amazing friend. It was almost like she was in the room with me sliding under the killer kotatsu! Or perhaps she was in Sendai- and calling to lecture me-like she frequently did. And in my dreams she quickly set some of my childish fears, anxieties and dead end ideas to rest. In fact she very calmly in a very Bridget Jones no

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1087194197744842412004-06-14T15:08:00.000+09:002004-06-16T16:03:32.443+09:00

Last week one of my students came to the Staff Room, stood infront of me & read off a little page. "Danola-sensei" she said "hold out your left hand" So I did. She put on a simple silver ID Bracelet with my initials engraved onto it. Then she proceeded to read a very badly translated message(the meaning of which I was only able to grasp because I had my dictionary on hand) The gist of it was:

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1086931982452902942004-06-11T14:11:00.000+09:002004-06-16T16:03:54.963+09:00

A lifetime ago (it was actually just a couple of months-but it feel like an aeon has passed) I was lamenting on about my desire for a skip function. In my fantasy I had a Skip Function (like the one on the DVD Remote Control)and I could just skip through scenes that I didnt want to watch. Basically a fast forward function-which would take me to the good parts quickly. However that fantasy got

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1086845506799632982004-06-10T14:15:00.000+09:002004-06-16T16:04:19.220+09:00

Its rather wierd- but I just realised last night: Im a "Predecessor" My first few weeks in Shiogama were filled with unexpected discoveries. My apartment was stuffed with things my Predecessor had left which I had no need for.Its really great that she was into baking & stuff-but I DEFINATELY didnt need so many baking trays,or TWO TVs niether one of which could be watched!! And so a huge part

Danolanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1086227341758053842004-06-03T10:35:00.000+09:002004-06-03T10:49:01.760+09:00

FULL MOON I believe that cold weather without snow, is a waste of cold. So Im actually GLAD that the Miyagi weather has finally made up its mind & warmed up! Now the days are bright and filled with warm, comfortable sunshine. It reminds me of most days back home! However I know that this lovely time is a passing thing. Soon Japan's fifth season(the Rainy Season) will start and with it will

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1086156920863098222004-06-02T15:01:00.000+09:002004-06-02T15:19:11.296+09:00

Sincerest Apologies Ok...so Iv recently discovered that there actually ARE people out there who want to know whats happening in my life...and take the time out to read this thing! Im seriously sorry for not updating this Blog regularly. My only excuse is that I was moody & mizerable and you should actually be GLAD that I wasnt filling this space with melodramatic emotional mumbo jumbo!! But

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1084773712908986442004-05-17T14:48:00.000+09:002004-05-17T15:15:51.396+09:00

The Last Double Digit One- friend who has left Japan recently Two- weeks my Father may spend here next month! Three- blissful days spent on Ko Samet. The hi-lite of my trip to Thailand.We stayed at Ao Prao Resort Four-the number of trips Im taking in the next few weeks (Tokyo, Kyoto,Hiroshima & Kawatabi) Five-the number of weeks Iv been too busy to bother with this Blog Six- the

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1081488833412547112004-04-09T14:27:00.000+09:002004-04-09T14:37:08.840+09:00

Oopsie Bunnies Why didnt someone tell me before, that its Easter Weekend in the real world??? Oh...wait...I live in Japan. the place where Christian holidays don't happen and even if they did, I would probably miss it because most forms of mass media are beyond my comprehension! For the record- two days (Friday & Monday) without email contact from home are TWO DAYS TOO LONG!!

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1081231195975439082004-04-06T14:53:00.000+09:002004-04-06T15:03:38.700+09:00

Fuddy-Duddy Thoughts Yesterday I told my brother: "Kleenex share prices are set to rocket" Two seconds later he replied "Well then its a good thing you dont have to buy tissues in Japan" His witt and wonderful sense of humour never ceases to amaze me. I wonder if he knows how much he means to me?? I wonder if I do enough to show him (and other people important in my world)? I wonder if its

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1081129195027286442004-04-05T09:54:00.001+09:002004-04-05T10:52:24.170+09:00

Parting is NOT sweet sorrow NOTE TO READER: "goodbye" here is my equivalent of "Mate ne" not "Sayonara". The ability to part from loved ones has become one of the least expected lessons Iv learned on the Jet Programme. To start on this programme, I had to say goodbye to family, friends and a life back home. In Parting Lesson 2 I said goodbye to six wonderful amazing friends who I had

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1081129186170921692004-04-05T09:54:00.000+09:002004-04-05T10:42:27.293+09:00

Parting is NOT sweet sorrow The ability to part from loved ones has become one of the least expected lessons Iv learned on the Jet Programme. To start on this programme, I had to say goodbye to family, friends and a life back home. In Chapter 2 of this lesson. I had to say goodbye to six wonderful amazing friends who I had found, and grown to love in a matter of 12 months. Now the Final

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1080545021167179352004-03-29T16:07:00.000+09:002004-03-29T16:28:19.530+09:00

Hello & Goodbye The land down under was better than I expected. In fact it was actually quite pleasant- once I shut out the sound of the offending accents! Being in an English environment again did great things for my confidence. NOTHING was difficult. AND ....I was an adult again! It was also scariliy like being in Durban. In fact the only real difference was the fact that I was in the

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1079502562005419542004-03-17T14:41:00.000+09:002004-03-17T15:27:38.090+09:00

The Land of Oz I met Mika when I arrived in Japan. She took me under her protective wing and was definately one of the people responsible for my settling into life here as smoothly as I did. Her family almost adopted me- in fact I call her Mum "Mamma-san"! Anyway, last July she moved to Sydney, and on Saturday she will be marrying her Australian fiance, Paul. I promised Mika I would be at her

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1079071718054187292004-03-11T14:53:00.000+09:002004-03-12T15:12:49.796+09:00

Back to Life Back to Reality I went to a three day conference in Yokohama for Returning Jets. It was quite a reality check! I realised: * I have to get out of this dreamlike state Iv been in & get organised. CV /job hunting etc etc * What "Reverse Culture Shock" really is and ways in which to cope with it. * How to ship a futon home. * Yokohama is a FANTASTIC City. Definately my favourite

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1078383624970754842004-03-04T16:00:00.000+09:002004-03-04T16:06:31.060+09:00

Piano on a Snowy Day My life seems to be made up of a series of completly unexpected pleasures. Today, once again, I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, nose firmly stuck in the same novel I was reading yesterday ( its a fat book- its going to take me a while!) When another teacher (this time a man) comes over to me. "Danola-sensei" he says " do you want to listen to some music"

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1078382779140489602004-03-03T15:32:00.000+09:002004-03-04T15:48:28.403+09:00

Hina Matsuri Today is Hina Matsuri (Girls Day) in Japan. I was sitting at my desk, nose firmly planted in a novel, when a teacher came over to me and whispers " Danola-sensei today is Hina-matsuri. The lady teachers are having a private party. Please come with me at 1pm" " At the appointed time, we left the warm staff room, and went to the opposite end of the school- to the cold drafty gym.

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1078123882381030002004-03-01T15:51:00.000+09:002004-03-01T15:53:29.356+09:00

Graduation Ceremony To add to my growing list of "Only in Japan": *People dress up in their Sunday best, go to a formal graduation ceremony, take off thier shoes at the door, and spend the rest of the time in bedroom slippers! *18 year olds graduate from High School in what resembles a military parade- complete with stiff marching and regimented sitting/standing & bowing for 5seconds. (high

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1077688432077294712004-02-25T14:53:00.000+09:002004-02-25T14:57:12.013+09:00

Happy Daze Why do I feel so happy today?? Perhaps its because I have no classes to teach ?? Can't be- since that happens often. Perhaps it because Im almost done with a BIG farewell project for my students that are graduating? Possible, its only taken me the better part of the last three months!! Or perhaps its because my world is lit with bright WARM sunshine. OK, OK maybe its "WARM" isnt

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1077521036801612482004-02-23T14:16:00.000+09:002004-02-25T14:34:43.123+09:00

WAKE UP CALL In the early hours of saturday morning (2.15am to be precise) I was forced outa bed to answer my telephone. It was my Father, determined to keep me give me popsicle toes in the sub zero tempratures, with his ideas on what I should be doing after my current contract expires. Hes obviously given it a LOT of thought, and while I have my reservations, his support and encouragement is

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1076985628898842242004-02-17T11:40:00.000+09:002004-02-17T11:42:22.090+09:00

PHONE HOME... Last night I called a friend in SA. The DOOS wasnt waiting next to the telephone like I expected. Instead someone in his office answered. I asked for him. "Hold on a sec" she replied "I'll see if I can find him" 10 seconds later I heard his familiar voice and I started telling him off for not picking up the phone in the first place.... The rest of the conversation is not blog

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732809.post-1076908844176539972004-02-16T14:47:00.000+09:002004-02-16T14:47:47.576+09:00

Delayed Update OK. A delayed review of the 5day long trip to the snow festival. 88 ALTS merrily got on a ferry on Friday 6/02, and almost rolled out the next morning. Yes there was lotsa alcohol involved, but also the motion of the ferry had us wobbling for days afterwards. Sapporro: Is on Hokkaido-the northern most island in Japan. Its tempratures are usually colder than Miyagi, and it gets

Danolanoreply@blogger.com0