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Still haven't had time to don't feel like writing a real post yet. But I do have a bunch of pictures I've uploaded to Facebook!
Tokyo in Transit
Anaheim Days 1-2
Anaheim Day 3, LAX
Hanami
Towada Yosakoi Part I
Towada Yosakoi Part II
Other than that, the quick update on my life is:- work is busy
- my apartment is a disaster zone (again/still)
- I enjoyed a BBQ in Chuo Koen (even though it was windy and rather cold) with the Towada, Shich, and Noheji ALTs, plus a few rounds of Mafia at Bryan's place on Thursday (April 23)
- I'm going to Hiroshima for Golden Week (May 2-5)
- the Kirita Sports Festival is May 17th
- I'm going to Sai Mura (FINALLY) on the weekend of May 23
- I recently finished watching the Tantei Gakuen Q (Detective Academy Q) anime--I enjoyed it, but the live action drama was better
- Along with Godhand Teru (see my previous post) on TV, I'm also currently watching Hotaru no Hikari on DVD; unfortunately I've only been able to get discs 1 and 2 from Tsutaya so far--seems like discs 3 & 4 are perpetually out... (HnH also happens to be the series I'm proof reading scanlations for at J-SiS.)
- Like many others, I changed to summer tires a couple of weeks ago and moved all the winter stuff (winter wipers, snow scraper, shovel) out of the car and thus was woefully unprepared for driving home through the SNOW after watching the Yosakoi Festival
And, on a completely random note, here's a little something I bought towards the end of February. Isn't he cute? Any suggestions for a name?
Because it's on my mind, a quick post!
I was randomly browsing through the manga at Tsutaya last Saturday when I noticed a series called Godhand Teru. It was on display because a new TV drama for the series was airing on TBS. Looking at the picture for the drama, I saw that Hiroaka Yuta (not the most famous actor, but I've liked him since watching him in "Swing Girls") would be playing the lead!!
Unfortunately I had just missed the first episode by a couple of hours (it aired just before 8pm, I was at Tsutaya a between 9 and 10pm), but I ended up staying home tonight and catching the second episode!
Admittedly the story is hardly believable--a young boy whose surgeon father died in a car accident after saving his life decides to become a surgeon but is clumsy and only manages to unleash his true capabilities ("god hands") when his patients' lives are in danger--but I'm going to try to follow it and see if it grows on me.
At least I'm finally getting my money's worth out of the bi-monthly fees I pay to NHK! (Before, I only watched TV to check the weather forecast!)
Life has been busy for the past couple of weeks, to say the least. I did manage to upload my Kyoto photos to Facebook, though. So, in lieu of an actual post, here are the links to my Facebook albums! (All together, the comments on each photo form a sort of disjointed blog post, don't they?! Trying to assuage my guilt for not updating properly...)
Kyoto Part I
Kyoto Part II
Kyoto Part III
As I near the end of my 25th year, I feel compelled to reflect on all the things I've accomplished in a quarter of a century, as well as all the things I would like to accomplish by the time I reach the half-century mark.
So, without further ado, here is my list of 25 things I'd like to "accomplish" within the next 25 years (in no particular order):
1. Create an investment portfolio/retirement savings plan
2. Watch a Stanley Cup Play-Off game live
3. Watch a hockey game in the Czech Republic and/or Sweden
4. Visit every province in Canada (but not necessarily all the territories!)
5. Attend the wedding of one of my female friends born in 1983 (hint hint!)
6. Read the Bible all the way through
7. Purchase a condo/apartment of my own
8. Travel around Japan using a JR Railpass
9. Take courses on Shakespeare and Canadian History
10. Watch Shakespeare performed at the Globe
11. Watch a play at the Stratford Festival
12. Visit Boston, NYC, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand
13. Spend quality time with God every day
14. Own a Kitchen-Aid stand mixer!
15. Watch all three LOTR Extended Edition movies back-to-back in a 10-hour marathon!
16. See a film screening at the Toronto International Film Festival
17. Watch Les Miserable and Cirque du Soleil performances
18. Send my parents on a cruise/trip somewhere (probably as an anniversary present)
19. Pay for our house to be professionally cleaned (or for an air duct cleaning at the very least!)
20. Do a historical tour (WWI or WWII) of Europe
21. Dedicate around 5% of my income to supporting charitable organizations/works (Is 5% an overly low/high amount? I don't know enough about financial management yet to judge...)
22. Have a career I enjoy and find fulfilling
23. Go on an English-teaching mission trip
24. Visit Castle Loma and the Canadian Museum of Civilization
25. Go on a Canadian or American road trip with friends
And here are some of the things I've "accomplished" up to now:
2000
- got baptized
2001
- graduated from high school
2002
- studied Japanese
2003
- went on a missions trip
2004
- saw the Avs play in Denver
- saw the Avs play the Leafs live
- watched Team Canada play live (World Cup of Hockey!)
- took a flight by myself (to BC to visit Steph!)
2005
- became a WAY counselor
- graduated from university
2006
- got a teaching degree
- met Tomas Kaberle
2007
- traveled Europe
- went to Japan
- paid my own living expenses--housing, grocery, utility, etc. (I was going to say "lived independently" but I know I still rely on my parents a lot to help me out financially, so I'm not quite there yet...)
- bought a car less than 10 years old (both of the cars I've bought in Japan have been 9 years old at the time of purchase!)
2008
- inspired a student
- visited the Ghibli Museum in Japan
- furnished my own apartment
- bought a front-loading washer-dryer
- ate alone in a non-fast food restaurant
- watched a movie alone in theatres
- cooked a meal for friends (i.e. without resorting to canned or store-bought dishes!)
- took (Japanese) dance lessons
- wore a kimono
- went to Hong Kong
- bowled 100
As you can see, a lot of stuff has happened since I came to Japan. I think the experience of moving to a foreign country has really taught me the importance of appreciating and making the most of the time and opportunities I've been granted.
Even though it was a decision made in desperation and at the last minute, applying to JET was probably one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
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