Forget the Past

So Japan has officially switched over to digital TV completely making my current tiny box in my apartment a giant heavy paper-weight.

My company has refused to upgrade or buy a set-top box for us so the only option I have will require me to fork out money from my own personal pocket *boo*

On the plus Japan does come up with the cutest mascots to promote everything.
This is the one for digital TV:



So far it doing fine - but everytime I think about it it reminds me of a particular episode of the simpsons.



It's alright I still have alcohol so I wont be at the "Homer" stage!

JLPT

So just a quick run-down! The exam was very straight-forward with not too many surprises. I guess my biggest shock was the 7 other people sitting in the room with me - I thought there would have been more judging from the large number of people gathered at the exam site!

They are very on time - no delays and watches synced together. Be sure to pack food - I made a bento (box lunch) and had fruits all ready in my bag with plenty of fluids.

Time went so fast for me in the grammar section (which was my weakest point) but in order to pass the exam, you have to pass each section as well. Fingers crossed!

Results should be made available in September!

Time to start on N4~

Nagano

Big gaps in my blog posts - but went into lockdown for my JLPT then catching up on life right after haha

Well a week before the exam I was invited to join our company's sales team on their annual retreat. This year they drove up to Nagano. It was on of the best experiences I had so far and was able to meet the people responsible for all my upcoming new classes.

The weather was beautiful - the heat without the humidity and was able to fish, cook for the masses, drink and play with fireworks!











I felt very grateful to have been invited along and gained an insight into the sales team!
ありがとう！！

Mocambo

Shortly after arriving in Gifu we discovered a trendy street full of izakayas (bar) and trendy shops.
One of my favorite shops is called Mocambo. It stocks the latest in Japanese streetwear. Some of my favorite T's came from this shop. Great friendly staff as well!


This shirt expresses my shopping philosophy! Check out their store here.

ANTH

No there is no typo! I am not taking about Australia's Next Top Model but Australia's Next Top Host!
My recent trip in Sydney involved a fun impromptu photo-shoot with a few guys taking their inspiration from a male host magazine I hand delivered from Japan. Just to say many laughs were had and photos that will come to haunt the participants in the future.

(Pictures courtesy of Koh!)






Last but not least a group shot!


Who takes the crown?

So it begins...

The rainy season has started a little earlier than usual this year. Its pretty much the entire June month of rain before the summer heat wave hits.
The art of juggling myself on a bike - steering with the left and holding an umbrella on my right is a fine one indeed. I should wrap myself up in yellow police tape and have everyone (cars, pedestrian and fellow bikers included) try to avoid me instead.

Tako-Party

Finally tried cooking my own takoyaki (octopus-filled fried balls).
Hmmm can't figure out a better way to put it haha. It's super fun and quite easy to pick up. All in the wrist movement and keeping everything in rotation.

Need to get myself one of those takoyaki plates to bring back to Australia!

Australia!

A quick 8-days back home! It was great to see my family and friends again (not to mention my bestie's wedding). I ran out of time and wasn't able to see everyone I want but then again Im planning to head home in January to resume my uni studies again - so not long to go! *sad*

I do hope to travel more before heading home.















Hope to see everyone again real soon!!!

Taiwan! Part 1

On the way home I had a stopover in Taipei for 12 hours. I was able to take a free tour around Taipei city! The only hiccup was not being able to locate Koh for 2 hrs before the tour left. So I ended up going solo with a group of travelers
Still fun!











Finally returned to the airport to locate some free wifi and messaged Koh! He apparently landed in Terminal 1 and I landed in Terminal 2~
Caught some shut-eye before the long journey to Australia!

Tarui Matsuri

Some of my students was granted the chance to perform at their local town's festival! So proud of my kids - they had practiced hard and performed for the entire day in rotation. Although I had some difficulty recognizing them under all that makeup.








Its quite traditional so only males are allowed to act or even touch the giant carts! It was tough since the road was so narrow. Also it was acted in old-school Japanese - not even my JT Mika can understand what they were going on about!