Holy Jesus. Tomorrow is the day I finally leave. It's felt like it's taken forever, yet it has happened sooo fast. God dammit! D:

At the moment, I've gone from feeling nothing, to just... Weird. I'm mainly sad though. Going to miss my family alot. Had dinner with most of them last night. My Japanese Sensei and his girl friend Eriko went too! It was a great night! That started with a bang, and certainly ended with one. I was told at the end, in the parking lot by my Sensei that the day before the dinner (Sunday), he proposed to Eriko. She said 'Yes' of course. It was amazing hearing the news, I am so happy for them! Hopefully I will see them in Japan!

Sensei's been my teacher for close to a year and a half. Since that time, I've gone from wanting to learn so much, to knowing soo much but wanting to learn more. He's taught me so much valuable stuff, interesting stories and explained things through hilarious role playing. It has been a great time and I just know we'll be friends for a long time! So Sensei, if you're reading this, I'm sorry I didn't say much but another word would have brought me to tears of happiness. I was so overwhelmed that night. It was just fantastic!!!



Kakkoii ne! :D

In other news, I'm ready and packed with some minor things to do tomorrow morning. I'm annoyed though, because I don't know why people are asking if I'm excited? When you think about it. I'm leaving behind my family and friends for close to a year, in exchange, I'm placed in a foreign country, with a new culture and traditions. A new language. It's scary. It will be a great experience, but right now the excitement won't kick in until I'm actually there, I think?


So bring it on, put me on the plane, take me to Tokyo! I'm ready!!!

...I think? >.<;

I hate banks.

The mumbo jumbo these people go on with, is unbelievable. Three banks in one day, all asking details, all talking jiberish. It was quite simply... A very unenjoyable 4hour experience.

I just don't understand how one person can say something, be extremely nice about it. Then the teller at the front, is rude and says something else. As if it isn't confusing enough? Then suddenly all you've been told is suddenly insignifficant and the teller has another story to bore you with, more information to poison your mind with. My brain was pushed yesterday.. Pushed to the max.

It's okay now though. I went to Movie World today, to catch up with my best friend. Ate Churros, went on alot of rides. Gave the rollercoaster cameras some 'polite' gestures. Most of all, laughed alot. It was a great day. I felt like I deserved it after the bank incident. In addition, I've purchased everything I need for my trip now. Ordered my 8GB Pro Duo Memory stick tonight - $100.95 express. That will be awesome to store all my music on and such for my PSP. Then my camera inherits the 2gb memory stick from my PSP. Yay lucky camera!

I was annoyed to see other stores locally demanding $120 for a 4gb Pro Duo Memory stick. When I got an 8gb one for $95 (exc. Postage). What's up with that?

Bah, enough bickering, tomorrow I get to visit a bank again. Woohoo. Got to deposit the memory stick money. Then I'm home and hosed, finally. I'm sure something will come to mind tomorrow or the next day. It's unlike me to be prepared a week prior to departing for an extremely important event. There's something missing I'm sure. But if I think like that, maybe I will forget stuff. Or is it just paranoia?

I know I'm scared about going to Japan. Excited, but mainly scared. Just because well the homestay will be good. Fitting in will be a challenge at first, but that's not a massive hurdle. School. That is the big one. The centre point for social activity and education. Also the centre point of my worry and fear. What if no one talks to me? What if I get laughed at for dressing weird? Care to remind you that Tagawa High has no uniform. Let's hope I dress in something acceptable? >_< I think I'm just worrying to much at the moment. I know it will be a fantastic trip regardless of what happens. It's just the build up to leaving that's got me stressed. God I feel like a single mother right now... D: Hahaha, no offence intended though. Yay for single mothers!

Well, on that bright note, I better sleep. Practising early wake ups. Not easy after continually waking up at 10 - 11am. I can do it... Just need to get into the routine. *Yawn*

Expecting my package tomorrow, complete with the two DS game study aids I ordered. Yay.
Tutoring tomorrow also. That'll be fun. Better practice my japanese speech! >.<

Kit

Alrighty, well!

Let's get this show pony up and running? xD!

*Sneeze* Great! Atleast I know prior to leaving, I'm as fit as a fiddle... I honestly don't know if it's the allergy to dust or Hayfever anymore. Maybe it is a cold! God I hope not. Regardless, it definately hates me! D: I've been trying to keep healthy before leaving, but I have to see a doctor anyway. Just to get a few prescription medication before leaving, stupid asthma. One thing that I'm sort of worried about is getting sick and haircuts! I can just picture myself, walking into some hairdresser in downtown Shiojiri then walking back out looking like Sora(Fingers crossed), well actually i worry about walking out with abnormally short hair. I look weird with short hair... Which usually isn't usually that much shorter after getting it cut, but it still looks weird! >,..,<

Shiojiri. I should probably give you the run down about where I will be spending 90% of my time in Japan, right? Well, Shiojiri in the Meiji period (if I recall), was included in a trading route, between Nagoya and Tokyo. It was basically the half-way mark for the two cities. Usually trading salt, or something. I'd just like to add, while you read don't be afraid to Google something and correct me. ^_^; Anyway, Shiojiri is near the Japanese Alps. Meaning, snow. Omg, snow. Yes, snow. I know! I know! Frick'n snow! I have never seen it before, so that'll definately be a highlight. Sadly, I have to wait until Winter for it. B-b-but I can do that! >_< I have Cherry Blossoms to keep me amazed until then, well through the start of Spring atleast. I'm sure there will be plenty more for Shiojiri's environment to captivate me in! Word from my Sensei is Kanazawa, which just so happens to be slightly above Shiojiri. Is the BEST, yes that's right BEST place to view the Cherry Blossoms. Be jealous. :D

I'll be attending Tagawa High School. It looks nice! Not many pictures on their website though, however it does have an amazing variety in after school clubs. I don't know what to pick. =_= They all sound so good... Ugh. Kendo was an option. I think that'd be fun! I just hope it's not like the Soccer club I heard about at the Orientation in Brisbane. 10km warm up jogs. I just want to learn how to be like Ichigo Kurasaki, or maybe go all Samurai on someone? Bad cultural judgement there I guess. Takes time, commitment and alot of hardwork. Just like anything in this world. Despite that, maybe I'll join the drawing club. Be a 'mangaka' every afternoon. Mmm.. That sounds like a dream coming true. Well, actually going to Japan again is a dream come true in itself. So, anything else is really just a bonus! :D

Running around like a chicken with its head cut off. That is possible the most accurate metaphor to describe me at the moment. I managed to obtain everything I needed. Well, so I thought. Things are conveniently coming back into thought. Like the memory stick for my camera. Which is extremely necessary. Just things are popping back up. Everyday departure gets closer, which is thankfully... Taking its god damn time. I seem to remember more as it approaches. Which is bad, because ordering things online takes time to arrive and money. Money, oh god. Finances at the moment couldn't be more grim. I am hunting down an accountant on Monday so I can claim a nice $700 tax gift. :D Yay? WRONG! Apparently it can take up to 14 days to receive the money. I have 10 days. 9 Days by the time I can talk to an accountant. My bank balance = $100. Yes, it is an expensive world. From the odd $797 I had saved, a petty $100 remains. With things still left to buy, friends to see before I leave. $100 = $-20 by the 25th March. I leave on the 26th. Fingers crossed Mr.Tax-man loves me. The money would be nice. Thankfully, I have lovely parents and grandparents. :D Yay! So even if the tax money arrives late, I won't leave empty handed. <3

Today, I organised what clothes I'm taking and the bag. In turn, I could calculate how much my luggage would weigh. 13kgs. Yes, I surprised myself also. But I can't help but feel like I'm missing something. Isn't 13kgs light for a 9-month supply of belongings? Awkwardly light. I just hope I find whatever is missing, if anything IS missing. >_<

I have thought to myself that maybe I have paranoia? I have never been so stressed out. I supposed it's normal. I'm excited, well... Kind of? It seems my family are over the moon, but sad. They are all REALLY REALLY REALLY sad. I was kind of surprised, I mean, it's not forever... I think? >_>; Anyways, this is going to take half a day to read, so i better stop. I'll get back on the typing horse tomorrow probably. With exciting stories from my trip to Movie World and the accountant. Yay.

Kit.

Hey everyone!

Well, I was watching Neighbours during my visit with my mother in the wonderful town of... Hervey Bay. Where if you moved any slower, you'd be clinicly dead! :D
But hey, that's my thoughts being a city boy and all. Hahaha. First Brisbane, now Gold Coast. I don't think I could go back to Maryborough or Towoomba... But anyway, on Neighbours (which I don't normally watch...) they mentioned an online diary. I've never really been one to really keep a diary, let alone write in one. But, typing is different from writing. It's comfortable, doesn't hurt my wrist and I enjoy doing it. Being slightly motivated by the mention of an online diary or blog I noticed in my newly acquired friend's msn sub-name, that she had a blog. Funnily enough, she is also going to Japan! Which is pretty cool, but what's even cooler is that I actually ran into her in during my stay in Hervey Bay. After recalling an incident during the Brisbane Orientation for exchange students, I remember her saying something about working at Game Traders. Hah! Small world according to some. Guess they're right. Who would've thought?

Uh! I was talking about seeing the blog link in her msn sub-name, right? Well that's where I found out about this site! :D Obviously. But, what possessed me to make a blog? I want to be able to read experiences I endure, during my long stay in Japan. My memory is great, but there's small things that happen that can really make the trip, but over time, are sadly the first to be forgotten. But! If I use a blog... I can read back on it, not just me but anyone that wants to know about my experiences. No pressure. >_>;

Now, I won't go out on a limb and say that I'm going to use this daily, or even weekly. As exciting as it is at the moment, I'm sure it will become a burden further down the track. I will however, guarentee atleast TWO posts a month. I think that's fair. I'm sure I'll have plenty to write about, but if I have the time is also a hassle. Expect more for now though. .__.

I think anyone reading this is well informed on the purpose of the blog by now, so I'm just going to move right along and start posting the recent events in lead to my inevitable departure! Oh joy!

Sam.

(But, I'ma sign my name as Kit from now on because, well I don't like people knowing my REAL name? Lol.)

Kit.