友達いっぱい。

New friends from around the globe arrived over the past 2 days. From Indonesia, Germany, Norway, Italy, Slovakia, China and Korea they came. Fantastic new friends each with something wonderful to bring to Ihouse.

Monday 25/8 - Takoyaki party with Japanese friends. 

Roughly half a month ago plans were made for a takoyaki party. Here are my friends (left to right) Kazuki, Azusa, Arisa and Chiaki.We had a fantastic time making takoyaki and much fun was had in general.

Originally it was only going to be the 5 of us, though with 6 new exchange students the number doubled. We did not mind at all. ^_^

Was my friend Arisa (red jacket) birthday so in the absence of strawberries to make a strawberry and white cream sponge, we bought blueberries and made a blue blueberry sponge cake. Was at this time that the girls began to call me "leader" because it was my idea to decorate the cake in this way.Such a sweet evening.

Tuesday 26/8 -Welcome Party with new students. 

 

Today was the official Welcome Party for students coming into Ihouse. Today 10 new students arrived from various countries. Yesterday was my first time making rice in the cooker by myself, though one of the tutors helped a little. Today the tutor was not needed. Yoel (Indonesia) helped me make the second batch (such a sweety) and we put some special beef filling from Indonesia into the middle. Andrea (Germany) has her kitchen space where Laura had hers. Michal (Slovakia) finished my song lyrics during dinner.We were trying to learn a phrase in Chinese that started with the notoriously difficult to pronounce "Dzu" and we simultaneously thought of the song Du hasst mich-Rammsein. He also let me try some of the alcohol that his grandma made (hard core grandma) and seems like an awesome guy. Tomorrow Tonje (Norway) who seems super sweet, and myself are going to buy her a futon from Karma Home Center.

Usually takes me a little longer to get to know the Chinese and Korean students, though there is one boy from China who seems absolutely adorable (mustache shirt). The Korean who came today does not look as much like a K-pop idol as Ho-san said (though I know little about K-pop idols).

Looking forward to more events with these wonderful people!.

念佛宗 三寶山 無量壽寺

Translation : Nenbutsushu Sanpouzan Muryojuji Temple

 Went to my absolutely favorite temple in Japan yesterday with Mum and my new friend Misato. 

Can't only begin to explain the grandiose scale on which this temple complex is constructed, so shall just leave these images here and let you all enjoy them. I almost had a spiritual experience. 

This plague encourages us all to remember how important our parents are to our existance, though it's important to be greatful for all who have helped to shape the people we are today.

Mum and Dad, thank you for all that you have done for me. All this, these adventures, this experience, the person I have become is thanks to your love and support.

Throughout the recent Obon festival in Japan many families make a trip to the temple, so the staff and voulanteers make effort to accomodate for the children. 

Going to Kyoto on the mini Nozomi. Riding on the green car because I'm an okane mochi.

夏の最後の祭り - Last Festivals of Summer.

From now on out the schedule gets denser, hectic though somewhat thrilling.

望見　Adventures 

Yesterday was the Nagoya City Science Museum. Waited from 6am until open at 9:30 to buy tickets to the first session of the worlds largest platinum. My favorite section was when they zoomed right out from our solar system to view the entire Milky Way galaxy. Getting the feeling my mind is made for space flight. The cloud chamber and mini controllable rover similar to Curiosity also peaked my interest.


Blurry but it's the best shot I could get. The thing is massive!

Also had the opportunity to enter the Deep Freezing Lab, experiencing the -30 degree room and touching ice from both poles. My jacket reminded me of Vash the Stampede and when exiting the -30c room noticed that the lose strands of my hair had frozen. Interesting.


My main reason for attending the Science Museum was to see the Dragon Ball meets science exhibition, though without a Japanese cellphone and with my limited Japanese my learning through this exhibit was also limited. They did however have an Android 18 that definitely wandered into uncanny valley and an opportunity to hear a special transmission from King Kai's planet (gosh I'm a nerd) along with limited edition merchandise for the event.

  Ka-me-ha-me-haaaaaaaa

 

 

 

Went to help my mothers sister with her classes today and met some delightful children across four classes and age ranges. Spoke about myself, Australia and things enjoyed in Japan in both Japanese and English as well as playing some awesome games such as fruit twister, What's the time Mr Wolf and Scissors, Paper Rock.

Tomorrow starts early to head to the dorm on the other side of Nagoya (1.5 hours) then the airport for the Pokemon Summer Festival, followed by the Tokonameyaki festival where they will have various ceramics famous across Japan. Only having $50 for the day means that there is little chance for purchases which is rather unfortunate, though see how we go.

The following day Mum, Nanako, myself and another girl are going to yet another festival before heading to an onsen in the afternoon/evening.

Monday will be spent carrying some of my belongings back to Nagakute in preparation for moving back at the end of Summer Holidays ( please no! ) Then making something for a friend before having a takoyaki party in the evening at Ihouse.

発見したこと　Discoveries.

Discovered the scent and taste of honey. Went on a shopping spree to Lush after purchasing their Honey I Washed The Kids soap a few weeks ago. Now my hair is washed with Fairly Traded Honey and American Cream, and my lip balm is Honey Trap.

Discovered the most delicious maccha lattes today. Seriously, best on the planet. Cannot wait to make them for each of you, though Taka and Nuki you are both top of my list. You don't add sugar because it's got honey! (right)

 Discovered that when you purchase the last ticket for the special lucky dip at the convenience store, you get a special gift. In my case it was a figurine of my beloved Kaworu Nagisa.　(right)

 Discovered the taste of handmade soumen as my mother's friend made it for us and delivered it. So thankful to be able to experience things such as that.This host family are extremely kind to me.

Managed to discover the department store where my textbooks for the Japanese Proficiency Test N3 in 2009 were purchased and thus was able to purchase three textbooks to begin study for N2. Study begins from the beginning of next month along with classes.

Yet to discover the new friends awaiting me at Ihouse, though really looking forward to meeting each and every one of them. Shall tell you all about my impressions of them once we meet.

There are so many things forgotten on this blog despite my best efforts to remember. Recently the adventures and discoveries have been coming thick and fast and there is so way to keep up.

Bonus: Cultured fox.

Woke up at 8:30am (slept at 4am) yesterday and traveled to Kanayama to meet Taka at Starbucks before heading to the Toyoda Municipal Museum of Art for an exhibition of 1890-1910 German and Austrian magazine designs. Many of the designs were fascinating with their glimpses of life and the art style of the time. Managed to view some Munch among them also.

Was impressed by the style of the museum itself with a garden of gentle circular shapes contract to the hard lines of the massive building and it made me wish to live in an art gallery. Lunch was green tea cake and Strawberry cake (shared). 

 
Though the highlight of the day for me was the permanent exhibition ( convinced Taka to attend also) of Setsuro Takahashi who uses the traditional urushi lacquer medium to create stunning modern pieces. There does not seem to be much about him on the interwebs, though his art was inspiring for me as well as extremely aesthetically pleasing. 


 



 After this we went for a walk in the surrounding area and through a park, before heading to dinner at Baby Face Planets in Agui. This is now one of my favorite restaurants because of how awesome it looked when we walked in and the emphasis on being happy. Happiness is key. 

On that note, hope you are all well and happy. Hope also that you enjoyed this blog and there shall be more to come in the near future at there are still two weeks left of my holidays. 

大阪 Osaka

Monday

Left for Hozumi in Gifu-ken early to meet with Taka at the station. The weather was pleasant during the drive and it make me thankful that I'd pushed the day back so as to avoid driving through Typhoon Halong. We listened to 80s music and other awesome music most of the way.

Arriving early to Osaka we headed to IKEA where we found out we have similar taste in interior design (we both have sense) then waited until 3pm to check in bags and car before going for an exploratory walk. The hotel booked had good style, though was unfortunately far from many of the main attractions such as Osaka tower and the Museum. After walking about 45 minutes we reached Tsūtenkaku. 

Experience Tsūtenkaku. (optional)
 
After purchasing tickets you step into a round elevator you hope will take you to the viewing platorm to see the sunset after your tiring walk. Instead you exit the elevator into a short corridor, the walls are lined with images that look like the inside of an older style train complete with actual handles that hang from the ceiling, then left into the first corridor leading around the building which reveals Gashapon machines running its full length and two thirds of the way up both walls. The mass of people push you through until you come to a brief stop before the corner of the building. You (and company) are ushered in front of a colourful manga image of the tower where you are asked to pose with your hands clasped above your head mimicking the tower, a photo is snapped before you can move again. You take a few steps before tower staff pull you over, showing you the instant printed image you have just taken and offering it for purchase for an expensive amount. (Did you buy it?) 

After a few more steps you stop again, a line of people stretches out before you and around the next two corners to the elevator. After noticing the souvenir shop at the building center you look out instead to a beautiful view of the setting sun with its gorgeous pink clouds which are unfortunately obscured by thick black crisscross lines on the glass. Shuffling slowly past some displays of Kinnikuman you sigh at how an almost perfect chance to fill time with photo taking is interrupted by the large "No Photos" sign. Finally you enter the elevator, the lights go off to reveal an image of the full moon and Biliken on the ceiling as the elevator climbs slowly and a voice explains that you are going to a magical place where the biliken would give you luck. 

 You exit to an actual observation deck which finally reveals a decent view of the city, capturing some photos of the beautiful vividly pink sunset as it plays on the clouds while perusing the small statues within the building of idols connected to Biliken. Met with another line to rub the Bilikin's feet, which involves yet another photo and more waiting you decide to descend one floor via stairs to another viewing platform in search of the down elevator. You wait in another line though the wait is brief, again the roof of the elevator is lit with the same image accompanied by an explanation that you are coming back to the present world. You exit to that souvenir shop, rushing through quickly and hardly glancing at the ridiculous amount of colourful and no doubt strange merchandise before heading down that corridor lined with the train handles and packing into one last elevator taking you back to the main entrance. 
otsukaresama! 

Dinner was okonomiyaki  at 風月 (fu-getsu) (famous in Osaka) before heading home on the train, quickly viewing the nightlit streets and Glico running man before collapsing into bed.

 

Tuesday 

Had intended to wake up early, catch a train and arrive at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum early (or at least before it opened) so as to avoid the rush of people coming to view the works of Dufy, however sleep wished to keep me longer than intended so we did not arrive at the gallery until later. We did manage have breakfast at Starbucks and to find the adorable WachiField shop on the way where some gifts for family and friends were purchased.

The exhibition of French Fauvist painter Raoul Dufy was quite interesting and his frequent use of the colour blue pleased me greatly. Dufy has a great balance of curves and lines and his paintings have vibrant colours and lively scenes which keep the eye interested and his later stenographic technique over washes of colour intrigues me. Dufy's omission of Tesla (as was history of the time) from La Fée Électricité (ode to electricity) and the showing of some of his final pieces after being struck with arthritis, many depicting flowers and one with his beloved blue replaced instead by a wild red, gave me cause for deeper thought.

Lunch was a delicious iced maccha latte at Caffe Solare Tsumugi which has been recommended on my Facebook page. We then headed back to the hotel for a short break before dinner which was shared at Moulin. Though the serving sizes are small, the food is tasty and can recommend their desserts.

Wedneday

From 10am until 1pm we were stuck in traffic most of the way to Akashi . Slept. Listened to music. Chatted.

Arriving at the Akashi City Museum of Culture, Taka and myself shared a pizza before going to view M.C Escher. Was only the day before when the wish to view the display arose after sighting a poster, though the decision to do so was definitely worthwhile. Though for the most part the works of Escher arouse only amusement at the colours and clever patterns, three proved to become generous food for thought.

Reptiles (M. C. Escher) - The power of imagination and how it can transform things and allow them to transcend into reality. 

Another World (M. C. Escher) - Power of perception and how where you stand (physically or on a subject) effects your view of it. 

Puddle (M. C. Escher) - Perception of the beauty of the night sky within the mud puddle evokes for me a sense of the hidden and undervalued beauty in the world.  

After viewing Escher we were able to travel rather quickly to Kobe with hopes of riding the ferris wheel at Kobe Harbourland, heading first to the China Town. Taka's plan to have Chinese completely fell apart the moment that the Kobe Beef restaurant was spotted. Yazawa West  Kobe Beef. Posed for photos with their various trophies then my mouth was in heaven.When it came time to pay for my meal (the most expensive all year) they explained that card was no good which meant that Taka had to rush to the car, leaving me at the restaurant so we could make the payment (Almost instantly found a 7 Eleven to repay him). Many thanks Takahiro for helping.

We rode the ferris wheel which gave a fantastic view of the harbor at night which was lit spectacularly and saw a ship coming in to dock lit in a way that vaguely reminded me of the spirit ship from Spirited Away.  Dessert was Magic Pots from Frantz, which are a signature of Kobe.

Visiting a Studio Ghibli shop within the complex, Toto-kun (new bag) and my Kaonashi (Noface) chopsticks were purchased. 

Arriving at  Hotel Seagull Tempozan we arrived in our room which was Universal Studios themed which made me feel the decision not to do may have been a little moot though enjoyed the design with i's stars, had a shower, made some tea and enjoyed the view from the 10th floor over the harbor.  

 

Thurday 

Woke up in time to check-out and head to Mother Moon Cafe for pancakes which were delicious!   Skipped the line after buying tickets at the hotel and headed straight into the Aquarium!!! Bought a stamp book (for children) to collect stamps as we traveled around the aquarium. It's easy to understand why the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is famed as the best in Japan with its massive tanks housing a wide range of sealife. Compaired to other aquariums within Japan, the enclosures seem to compensate well for the animals within them. Taka was excited to see the sea otter and whale shark, though ultimately it was other animals such as the turtle, Ringed seals and baby otters that stole the show. 

Managed to get all my stamps the right way around apart from the otter. >.< Took a photo with Taka then bought souvenirs

 

 

Lunch was takoyaki (famous in Osaka) at a small restaurant followed by icecream at Sweets + which had 25 uniquely Japanese flavours including mozuku seaweed and golden soybean (the ones I tried)
  

We rode The Tempozan, the world's largest giant wheel after lunch and the view over Osaka in the afternoon was something truly special

 

Friday & Saturday

Meeting with Taka again in the morning we went to Hanashobu for the day on Friday. Was pleased to find that I had lost more weight which places me close to my lowest weight before Japan. The day was indeed relaxing and it was good to spend time with a friend instead of going alone as usual.  

Returned to Agui, slept in and managed some pleasant dreams and to catch some of the sleep eluding me during the previous funfilled days.