Well, where do I start? My last couple of months in Japan were hectic, jam-packed and somewhat stressful...
So I guess we'll begin with Halloween...
The Cowgirl and the Priest. What a fantastic title for a romance novel. (This is Dave by the way...trust me, in no way is he even remotely religious...)
I will refrain from making any jokes about bones.
Walking down the street in Shinsaibashi and who should we run into? Jeff the hotdog, of course.
This really has nothing to do with anything, but I'd just like to draw your attention to the strike next to my name (the top one). First throw. Thank you very much.
Competitive? Just a little. However, I was thwarted in my attempt to rein supreme in the ten-pin bowling world...by my student. We drew.
Next time, Mai...
My awesome "high-energy" students Misari and Haruna...Don't think I taught them much English, but we always had fun drawing insulting cartoons of each other on the whiteboard. Plus, they're excellent Japanese teachers...
Kentaroh! He sang me the most beautiful song at my Aeon leaving party. I'm ashamed to say I bawled my eyes out, especially when EVERYONE started singing along! I guess the old heart is slowly melting...
My leaving party...
Don't worry, Wes's back will be fine after a few more weeks of physical therapy.
Me, Sachiko, Ben and Kumiko.
Cat and I. Well, this was towards the end of the night...and it was all-you-can-drink. That's the only excuse I can give.
The most beautiful thing in Japan. My best girl - I miss you! I dragged Iz to the airport with me...(which actually worked out well considering my baggage was a LITTLE overweight...)
Back in Hobart...
Speaking of best girls...my ex-flatmate and good mate, Fi. She had to take me to her lab on the way home from the airport. She's just got a new machine to play with. It's red. It's fast. It does something to DNA. Fi was EXTREMELY happy with it.
However, to get to this marvellous machine we had to take an elevator with this dubious sign in it... Apparently we caught it on a good day.
One of my favourite places - the Salamanca Market. Where else can you see a princess, llama and the Grim Reaper all in the space of 30 seconds and 20 metres?
(Australia's latest treasure and media fodder, Princess Mary. You can't see it in this pic but she was surrounded by security and press. Insane. Stunningly beautiful woman aswell)
Another ex-flattie, Luisa. Went round to my old pad for some drinks on THE balcony. I'm amazed at how little it's changed! Although, I did notice the drunken pictures of me on the fridge. Funny, I thought I had disposed of them...
Aww...Fi with her and Simon's new dog, Jess. She was GORGEOUS! It's amazing how easily baby talk comes to you in the presence of a fluffy puppy with big eyes and cute little paws...
I know, I know, Japan's turned me into a giant kleenex.
I've found my calling. Bottling homebrew. As you can see it's quite an intense job, one that requires a lot of concentration...
...but the rewards are plentiful...(here's Simon looking thoroughly delighted with his booty)
One of the many reasons I love Hobart. The architecture is amazing. A pet peev of mine is when people (or governing bodies, which is usually the case) modernise buildings instead of retaining their original structure and appearance. Hobart is a
very colonial city, and I 'm happy to say that most buildings have been allowed to let their character, and history, shine through.
A short stop-over in Melbourne...
The view from Jabe's apartment in the city. Bloody good location.
Clapton himself. Well, not quite. Jabe discovered his, uh, talent (?) for song-writing and decided to practice his new tune...over, and over...
...and over again. It was a special time.
The Shrine of Rememberance.
And for the ladies...Some random acrobat street performers on Southbank. Wearing union jack underwear. My god they were fine...
Oh, I mean, they were very talented and had lovely personalities.
Actually, the biggest shock was that they were British... (And I won't elaborate on that as I have male friends who are British and I don't want to get in trouble with them...)
Finally...NZ.
My surprise welcome party at Auckland airport! My beautiful sis, Lisa, along with my gorgeous cousins, Kate and Jane. (Man, have they GROWN! I feel rather old...)
Mt Taranaki. Yeah, I only lasted 24 hours in Stratford before I was up hiking around! What a way to revive. So much fresh air...
This bridge had more than a little rust, but it was high and it swayed a lot. Sweet.
Lisa and I at our destination, Waingongoro hut.
Couple of "scenic" shots. I've been going a bit crazy with the camera (that's the Japanese in me coming out). Everything's just so...bright. And green. And fresh. It really does make you catch your breath sometimes.
Rich's farm in Midhurst.
View of Mt Taranaki from my parents street - Cassandra Street. Since the town is called Stratford the founders decided it would be a grand idea to name all the streets after Shakespearean characters. I've lived on a Swansea Road, Cressida Ave and, of course, Hamlet Street. We also have a rather annoying "Romeo and Juliet" glockenspiel that pops out from the clock tower three times a day, and a giant bust of Shakespeare mounted in front of the library.
Stratford is a farming town with a strong rugby/boofhead culture. Maybe it's just me, but the absurdity of this 'theme' has always cracked me up.
And speaking of Shakespeare, Dad had his medieval christmas work do. I was going for the 'maiden' look, but ended up looking like a vestral virgin. I should have stuck with my first choice...a witch. (More fitting my persona methinks...)
The prom photos...Helen and I captured the air of maidenly innocence rather well I thought.
My AWESOME parents looking fantastically medieval. Props to mum too, she made their costumes - very talented woman, sorry,
lady.
Helen noticing that most of our old high school teachers were also at the party. Considering I was every teachers worst nightmare at school, I admit I found it somewhat disturbing. Though, they seem to have forgiven me, and they even managed not to look too surprised when I told them of my academic achievements. (I was waiting for someone to comment, "Oh!? So you're
not an unemployed single mother of four?")
My Uncle Greg took Rich and I fishing on Saturday off the coast of Raglan. This is the snapper he caught.
I would love to include a photo of
my snapper, but I was too busy serving the fish breakfast.
For someone who has NEVER experienced seasickness, I found it to be a highly unpleasant feeling, and one I don't care to repeat. I can jump out of planes, but put me on that floating hull of terror (see below) and I'm an instant bait-maker.
But at least I wasn't the only one. You'll notice Bev, Uncle Greg's fiancee, keeled over the side behind him...
...and here's Rich lamenting the loss of his marmite toast.
More to come...
