Day 169 - 15th of February

天気：雨天
Well today was certainly much more mundane than yesterday. And, it was raining; though that wasn’t particularly unpleasant… I got ready for uni, and fixed up a few things for my speech, before picking up an umbrella with a Seminar House 2 sticker on it (since I haven’t bought a new one yet), before making my way out into the rain. I made it to class just after the bell rang, and was shortly asked to present; that’s when I hit a snag. I asked to use the computer, and sensei gave me a perplexed look, not understanding my intentions. I told him I wanted to use the projector, because I had a power point presentation, and then he explained that it wasn’t necessary. I insisted on it, but he said he wanted us to just speak, with nothing else. He then asked if I’d like to do it tomorrow instead and, although downtrodden I was ready to present today, so I did it. I managed to get through it okay, tweaking it in some places where I would have otherwise had visual aid. I think the class was interested enough, though I’m sure they would have appreciated it more with the photos; oh well I was happy enough with it. I was asked a few questions, and people were surprised when I told them that we had kangaroos living on campus (always a great selling point), so that was good.

I got through the rest of the class, and then went down to the lounge to find Simon. I talked with him, and got my homework done before going to my Reading and Writing class; that was rather uneventful. Straight after class, I made my way back home, the rain still coming down heavily; I was excited about lunch. Almost at the dorms, I noticed an Austria key chain (from Hetalia), neglected on the side of the road. I walked past it, but then couldn't help myself from going back to retrieve it. i put him on the shelf with the others, then went straight to the kitchen. My avocado had finally ripened, and I had some English muffins to put it on; it was so good! I got talking with a guy from Adelaide named Adam. I knew straight away he was Australian by the way he was dressed; no self respecting American would be caught dead in skinny jeans, xD. On TV, was a Black and White Audrey Hepburn Movie, called Sabrina; I found out the title later. I ended up watching all of it; it was quite good actually. Then I went back downstairs and napped. At around 5:30, for no apparent reason (I think I was going up to the kitchen), I went out of my room and had to do a double take when I saw who was on TV; Jacinthe!!!

Jacinthe was on a Japanese game show; along with 4 other international students from Kansai Gaidai. Her roommate Julie (who is coincidentally a friend of Amber), was in the lounge watching it, and I made my way in, beckoning Simon and Tomo. All I kept thinking, and saying, was wow she looks good on TV, and If that was me I’d be pooing myself; for want of a better phrase. All the students did really well (most of them I knew), and they all looked so calm and cool. The basic premise of the show was celebrities answering questions concerning Vancouver and the Olympics, with the students holding up possible answers and asserting why their answer was correct. They were on for about 30 minutes, and then the news came on; gosh it was just so surreal. We all kept on expecting Jacinthe to come around the corner, although that would’ve been impossible since it was broadcast live. I do remember Jacinthe mentioning this to me last week, but I had forgotten, so I was really glad that I did get to see it; so lucky. We watched the TV for a little while longer, and then Tomo and Simon went out to get some sushi.

I on the other hand went up to the kitchen to have dinner; leftovers. I sat with Julie, watching TV (again), and we were soon joined by Katie and Rachel, Jeremy, and later Ash.. Rachel was acting really weird (well not that weird for me), and we wondered what had brought this on; sleep deprivation? Jacinthe returned, and we all congratulated her with applause and kind words. She sat down with us, and told us all about the lead up, saying she was more nervous in the practice run. Simon came in and asked her how she’d gotten the opportunity, and she told us her Japanese teacher had requested people from his classes, chiefly Canadians; there was also an Australian and an American. Simon also let me know he was buying a new bike, and asked if I wanted his old one; for free, why not. I offered up the last of my Milo biscuits (after heating them up), and vowed to make them again; they were really good With Rachel continuing to act strange, Katie was in hysterics, and when we all retired for the night, she was still laughing in the hallway, and up the elevator, escorted by Ash. As for me, I spent the rest of the night trying desperately to get my blog updated. Jacinthe came in and gave me a Canada pin, which I preceded to put on my bag, and then got chatting with Hugo for a while. He wasn’t having much fun at all with all his Japanese homework, and came to me for help a few times; I was more than happy to. I got the rest of my homework done, and then it was time for bed…

Day 45 - 14th of October

9:12pm　セミナーハウス
天気；曇り
Well today turned out to quite okay. Speaking with the Japanese students was pretty good. I starting to feel like I can hold a semi-decent conversation, although the awkward silences still made an appearance every now and then. I think I did well in my essay; I ended up writing more than a page (more than 400 characters). I talked about how my life style in Australia differed from that in Japan. I tried to use as many new grammar patterns as possible. I've got more quizzes and tests tomorrow; it's never ending. I got home and had lunch. Avocado on toast as usual, except this time I put rice on top; wow, was really yummy. I'm going to pack some more, along with a carrot, apple, and tuna, tomorrow for lunch at uni.

I talked with Mum and Ben for a couple of hours; the Internet was shocking and kept on dropping out. Then I got my expenses spreadsheet up-to-date for this month; so far so good. Then I went to make dinner. I'd asked my Mum how to make stew and it ended up turning out really well: I fried the onions and then the beef (which I'd forgotten to defrost - again), then put in a can of whole tomatoes; then the rest of my veggies; then the stock; and finally some seasoning. I let it simmer for about 40 minutes before I became too hungry and had to eat. It smelt really good, and tasted even better. Carly kindly donated me one of her mega thick pieces of bread; I was very happy. And the best thing is, I have enough left for at least two more meals; I've put it in a container in the freezer. I'm having so much fun cooking; it's great. I'd better go now; do some study...