Happy Christmas!

It is Christmas morning here in Germany and there's not even a frost in sight (so definitely no snow). I managed to catch a cold on my way over so I've not been feeling the best the last few days, but my Mummy was enjoying looking after me, so it hasn't been too bad!

Yesterday afternoon we went to the FEG church where Mum and Dad usually go for their Christmas service. It was a musical/play spectacular and quite impressive. I could even follow along because there was someone translating.

We also had our traditional roast turkey dinner last night (see picture) and it was up to Mum's usual excellent standard. (For those in the know, you'll know what I mean!!) I can't remember the last time I even had a roast, so it was very special.

I had my first good night's sleep last night so I'm feeling pretty good today. We're taking it easy, hoping to talk to the fam back in Melbourne soon and open all our presents!!! Then we'll be spending the evening with Aaron & Amanda and their family. They are American friends of Mum & Dad's. If I remember to take photos, I'll put more on the blog tomorrow.

Well, I hope all of you have had a great Christmas too! Ciao for Now :)

Sayonara Japan

I thought I'd do one last post from the fair shores of Japan. I don't leave till Friday, but I won't be able to use my computer for a few days :( I'm sad to say goodbye to all my new friends and dissapointed that I didn't get to see more, but I hope to be back in the New Year.

The photo on the right is me & Shigeki at my farewell sushi dinner tonight. I've had several, and it's been frustating packing as people keep giving me gifts & not necessarily small ones! "Note to self: next time, bring less clothes and a half-empty suitcase!"



I'm also busting to land in Switzerland! I'm not looking forward to the transit, but the arrival will be awesome. A HUGE bear-hug from my Otoosan (that's Dad)!



Now it's way past my bedtime & I'd been such a good girl this week... oh, well.....



As usual, I still have a few things to get done before I go, but the list aint as long as the one when I left Australia and my tickets are very safe this time.... ;)



Oyasuminasai - see you in Germany!!!

Musing on tea...

I was thinking about tea as I sip my freshly brewed (loose leaf) Lady Grey. I had an argument with one of my students about whether black tea leaves are fermented or not. (I didn't think they were) so I looked tea up on Wikipedia. Well, we were kind of both right.... The process of oxidation is referred to as fermentation despite the fact that no true fermentation happens. Black tea is also called Red Tea in China due to its red colour when brewed. Though red tea nowdays tends to refer to the South African rooibos tea (which isn't really tea at all, but a tisane.) Tea is only tea when it contains leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant.



Anyway, my tea is finished now and my stomach is grumbling so I think I'll grab some dinner. I'm looking forward to sharing a pot of tea with my mum - only nine sleeps to go!!

Two weeks and counting!

Doesn't time fly? I've been here in Japan nearly three months already and its gone by in a flash. I've really enjoyed my time here but now the time for packing up and saying farewell is upon me. There are a couple of classes that I will only take one more time and most of my students are preparing little farewells for me. I hope they don't shower me with gifts because I doubt I'll be able to fit them in! I am sending some of my stuff ahead of me so that I don't exceed my baggage limit. I also have to book my fare to Tokyo. Its all excitement...!!

I'm really looking forward to seeing my parents. They've been in Germany since March and are really progressing well in their new ministry. It will be good to meet all the people I've heard so much about. (If you want to know more, check out my Mum's blog - gaynor's world, the link is on my link list.) I am also looking forward to catching up with many more of my Aussie, well, Melbourne really, friends in Switzerland for New Year's. I'll be holed up in a chalet in the Geneva mountains - jelous?? I'm hoping to learn to ski or skateboard and my greatest wish is to skate on a frozen lake....

Of course, you will be able to follow all my adventures here. I'll be posting some more Japan photos soon too, so watch this space. I think I've mentioned it before, but the Japanese love any excuse to decorate so the streets and shops are looking very colourful with Christmas decorations.

Well, its past my bed time and I need my beauty sleep, so Oyasumi-nasai... till next time....

So little time, so much to do...!

Well, I have a little over two weeks to go and I continue to make new friends and have a long list of things I would love to do before I go. I know that I won't get them all done, but most important now is to find myself a job for next year. I really hope to return for 6 - 9 months and may even drop by Australia on my way back (funds permitting). So I may see some of you before too long.

On another note, do you know anyone who would be interested in joining thousands of other Australian Christian Women at Colour 2007? I have four (cheap as) tickets available. It is the first year they are meeting at Stadium Australia and the speakers line up looks great. Check out the details at: http://www.colourconference.com

Well, I've got too much to do to stay on line too long, so I'll sign off. Its been good to hear from a few more of you, but where are all your Haikus? So far, Mike is winning with his ode to a washing machine... get those creative juices flowing!!

Jya'ne! :)