Rain rain go away come again another day
we have had several days of non stop heavy drizzle care of typhoon 19. quite frankly I`ve had enough, this mournful rain reminds me of places like melbourne and that upsets me!!!
Just kidding.
Actually seeing as I am battling ANOTHER cold I dont think I really care all that much about the outside world.
I`m cobbling together some plans to run off to another islnd next week to get out of town and stretch my legs but so far I haven`t managed to organise other people to do my shifts for me yet. I want to check out Matsuyama on Shikoku island or Hiroshima on Honshu island but Hiroshima the better choice is further away, if I get 5 days off I`ll go there, if I only get three days I`ll go to Matsuyama instead. Both look relatively exciting so until then...

I actually watched a voyager the other nite, unfortunatelyin Japanese but mildly understandable which was cool. I always thought Janeway could use a husky Japanese voice...well maybe!!!
later guys
posted by Schmoo at 7:44 PM

WHAT A WEEK

Saturday the Halloween party.
Sunday Yukitori with young Yoko (here after referred to as Ocean Child for reasons I`d rather not share). Yukitori is lots of chicken parts on sticks served to you as they`re cooked. I highlight the word PARTS.
None the less we chatted, drank shochu (a Japanese alcohol with a kick the next day) and generally had a great time. Ocean Child is encouraging my Japanese speaking and text messaging.

So by the time Monday rocked around (this being my Friday), I was absolutely knackered.
Tuesday I was a good little vegemite and got up at the crack of dawn to cycle in for my Japanese lesson, I then cycled via the shops, grabbed bacon and eggs and went home. Obviously I cooked the food, ate it and slept the afternoon away!!!

On Wednesay Paul and I set off a little after 8, actually it may have been a lot after 8 but lets not point fingures shall we.
We had coffee and tea respectively in thermoses and we headed off to the ASO national park region. The journey was made all the more exciting by the temperature signs that we passed, they slowly slipped from 16 degrees C to a chilly 9. ewwwwww cold.

The roads started displaying tyre chain signs which I found exciting but a little worrying - after all Grandad never showed me how to fit a tyre chain when he lectured me in `Mechanics for Grandaughters 101`. The trip took just over 2 and a half hours. A little over the expected time.
We arrived, checked out older Yoko`s house and went to the bottom of NEKO YAMA - 1500m mountain staring across at the Aso volcanic basin.
Yoko and Paul had a fight. Yoko left, I was rather concerned but there are some cultural differences that needn`t be discussed short of the fact that certain behaviour ok for some is taboo for others and everyone ends up with hurt feelings.
Nevertheless Paul and I spent a gruelling hour and a half climbing what is probably the steepest hill I`ve ever climbed but not exactly the hardest.

Paul being the trusty `be prepared` man brought a cook stove and 3 litres of extra water so we sat down to hot chocolate on the mountain top.
I will point out that Paul was probably carrying in excess of 20kg in a pack (including the first aid kit). I carried 2 waterbottles, tigger (awfully heavy) my camera, phone and purse so friend of the week award goes to Paul!!!
We literally slipped and slid our way down the mountain, it was so steep, in 45mins.
Jumped in the car and home sweet home.
I (of course) being so amazingly healthy jumped out of bed and went to work the next day, Paul was complaining of aches for several days (men!!!).

On Thursday night we had a farewell party for Miyuki and Tamaki. Tamaki is our Japanese staff boss and Miyuki one of the Japanese staff. They were heading off to different branches much to our upset. We went out for dinner and drinks (more shochu). again unfortunately work started a few hours later.

So once again a busy week is wrapping up.

Computer End Program, Save on Exit and Patch it through to my quarters.

--------------END------------------------
posted by Schmoo at 2:04 AM