Chilli, rocking and jogging

In an effort to stop interesting things from piling up again, I 'm gonna try to keep this blog updated. Let's see how long that lasts...

So, the past week hahas been pretty good. On Saturday, I had Genki rehearsals, which were followed by a chilli cook off and bar-hopping. Sunday was a chance to catch up with my laundry and have a 'One Piece' marathon. Monday, was work, followed by a massive food shop, followed by jogging and hot dogs for dinner :D

As usual, rehearsals went well but we were all a little too energetic to keep focused on the scene for very long and it took longer to run through than usual. Good job, Malcolm, for not hitting your head on the table :D
After that, many of us made ways to Mary's house for the chilli cook off. I managed to forget my chilli powder, peppers and cumin but made do with salt, pepper and my special meat seasoning from home. Thankfully, I managed to scrap together a pretty tasty, meaty chilli of which none remained :D

There were 4 tasty chilli's, 2 meat and 2 vegetarian. EVEN though Philip's had no meat, I have to say, I think he won the competition. Completely seasoned from scratch with no help from prepackaged sauce or spices, the 'kick' was perfect, the veggies tasty and the chilli, pretty awesome (still needed meat ;) ). I'm happy to accept a joint-second place with the others although each chilli had it's own flavour and were each winners in their own ways :D

After that, I came back to the city to meet up with other JETs who were watching a friend perform. Some people finished off the night with karaoke and the rest of us headed off to another bar for stimulating conversation...

Sunday was Sunday but on Monday, I started my jogging regime! I almost didn't do it. I almost caved in. I got home late and wanted dinner but I pushed myself out the door and jogged-walked-jogged-walked for 20minutes and stretched for 20minutes. Felt awesome afterwards although I may have done too much. Gonna increase the brisk walking and reduce the jogging a bit.

I had Kyudo on Tuesday and yesterday and finally remembered to get a picture of me in my gear...

One of my teachers said I'd be able to go for my first grade one year after I began Kyudo, which will be August. He also complimented my form and said I would pass, so #insert fist pump# I'm well pleased :D
Until next time xxx
p.s. Finally learnt how to insert pictures! 

New Year!

I've just joined Twitter (insert grumbles and rants about stupid internet phenomenons and their followers...)

Admittedly,　it has two uses for me. 

1) I can get links to interesting headlines instead of reading what others read on Facebook.

2) I can use it as a mini blog with snippets of fun stuff that happens frequently out here instead of having to condense weeks or months of information into a blog, long after I've forgotten the most interesting parts :D

3) I can get up-to-date ticket information from bands I like

4) I can delete lots of stuff from my Facebook and make it as simple as it used to be without losing lots of stuff about bands and authors.

Okay, maybe more than two uses for Twitter. (>_<) STILL, I can't think of any other reasons but seeing as I've only just figured out how to link a site and 'tag' a friend in a post, there's still a lot for me to learn about and enjoy, presumably.

Anywho! It's February now and I have decided to recontract!

Yay! I'm staying for another year in Kochi city!

Since my arrival in Japan I have neglected my blog, but had I been a faithful blogger, here's some of the things I might have blogged about, written in a reverse and slightly random order...

Being accepted to perform in the Genki Tosa-ben musical, skiing, experiencing a Japanese New Year's, snowboarding, visiting Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, going to karaoke (many, many times), surfing, purikura, river-floating and attending several friends' house parties, food events and the like.

I also enjoyed Halloween and was one of the winners in the costume contest.

I started kyudo (Japanese archery) last year and now own £300 worth of equipment and uniform.

I was able to watch my first lunar eclipse. The moon was red and beautiful.. I think... It was cloudy most of the time and my memory is a little foggy :p

The rest of the time I am supposed to be studying Japanese and am doing a beginners' course in Kochi.

In all of my time here, I am thankful to say that culture shock hasn't affected me (except maybe at Christmas when I was craving proper a Christmas dinner. No contest when your faced with pickled peppers and boiled rice on December 25th. "What no macaroni and cheese?")

The people that I've met here have ALL been awesome, lovely, helpful and more.

My school, couldn't be nicer, my supervisor couldn't be cuter (かわいいね) and my home couldn't be cosier (^_^)

I am looking forward to getter better and better as a teacher and at speaking Japanese. I've already improved so much. o_0

I'm really enjoying myself and wish you all a happy and successful New Year.

Tasha

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