The days seem to be running away! It's already nearly the end of October!
I'm getting more confident with using Japanese spontaniously now :3
I've made a few new Japanese friends this weekend too!

I had so much kanji homework to do this week, but I finally finished it!

Actually come to think of it, kanji class seems to be the only class where we get regular homework.
Although, we get "influenza homework" incase the uni closes.

______________________________________________________________

This week during our Friday culture class we had the opportunity to try Shodo.
I found it quite difficult to get the strokes exactly right.
I did "geijutsu"as my kanji, I think I might have been watching to much Naruto lately...thanks Deidara!

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Today, I went into Kawagoe to buy some shorts for Tennis class and Tennis club from the sports shop.

However I got slightly sidetracked by the festival that was on,
So many food stands! I wish I could've afforded and had the stomach space to try a bit of everything! XD

I got some nice shots from the festival for my gallery.
So I'll upload them when I feel motivated :P

______________________________________________________________

I think this next week is going to go fast as well. `

I have tennis class tomorrow morning, which is always fun.
Advanced kanji in the afternoon (where all that homework came from @_@ )
And volunteering class (which is actually listening to various volunteering companies talk about their business and we have to write a small commentary and the end) after kanji class.

We are probably doing biwa again on Tuesday's culture experience class, although I think it's high time we did something new.
Japanese special expressions class in the afternoon - it's quite challenging, but always easy to understand since the teacher is great at explaining things and she's so funny!

Wednesday brings "Practial Use of Japanese" class. We started watching a film about sumo last week and we're going to finish it this week.
After that I have German - I'm ahead the class in the German textbook.
So I have no need to rush my work in that class.

Friday is a very easy day with basic kanji class
and then cultural experience class (this week will be Origami).
Not sure I'm looking forward to the origami - I've tried it before with instructions from a library book and I was terrible at it!

My list of places to visit keeps growing XD

I've visited some of them already, but I'm sure I will go back again.

I want to visit Kasukabe as it was the setting for one of my favourite (and apparently very popular here!) anime called Lucky Star.

Also Washinomiya shrine that the girls from Lucky Star visited is on my list.
Apparently many fans of the series visit the shrine XD
It's good business for them I guess!

As I'm typing this I'm watching a program that is showing all of the stops on the Yamanote line and what you can find in each of these areas - so I'm watching out for interesting things to go and see ^__^

Today, I went to Tokyo Game Show - supposedly the biggest video game convention :3

It was quite an expensive do with it costing 2500yen to get there, 1,200yen entrance fee, 500yen on food and then I spent nearly 7,000yen on merchendise (a Tokyo Game Show t-shirt and a K-ON hoodie).

It was a good day out though :3

I won't post all my photos -in the cosplay sections, they requested that we get the cosplayers permission to post the shots on personal websites.

They were quite strict with photographing in most areas, but it was difficult to stop the millions of people that must've passed through the venue from taking some photos.

Well I finally made it - the otaku went to otaku land XD

I'll say it's probably not the place to take children - certainly a lot of not very well hidden hentai sections within shops.

I saw a maid cafe and also lots of maids advertising their shops, handing out leaflets in the street.

In all the shops there are signs everywhere indicating that photography is prohibited, so I had to take photos from the outside of buildings.

I didn't have much time to see all of it, but I raced up and down Chuo Doori and still managed to buy some nice little bits and pieces...

1. Kuroshitsuji stickers
2. Tezuka Prince of Tennis phone charm
3. Twilight (with English & Japanese audio options and English & Japanese subtitle options)
4. A Lucky Star Tsukasa figure (from a 200yen vending machine)
5. A K-ON Ui badge (also from a vending machine)


I'll definitely be going back to check for new merchendise throughout the year :3

I'll upload photos as soon as I can ^_^

View my photos of Japan here: http://yuzu-no-j-shashin.blogspot.com/

MONDAY 8TH SEPT

I finally made it after a very long journey!

My suitcase will be catyching up with me soon, as a delivery company is bringing it.
I remembered to take some clothes out, but I didn't take out any pyjamas for last night >_<

I've taken lots of photos of my room. It's well cool, I wanna stay here forever <3

Although I'm in dire need of lots of things such as a kettle, spare bedding, stationary, food/drinks etc

I bought a french stick, miso soup and cup noodles. I just had to microwave the water instead of boiling it.

haha I just discovered a kotatsu heater underneath the low down table (you well get pins and needles sat down here but the tatami is quite comfortable!).
Don't need it right now though, it is quite humid!

________________________________________________________________

SATURDAY 12TH SEPT

We went to the university campus for the first time on Friday.

I saw a zoo next to the university on the way in. I really wanna go there ^_^

We had a meeting where everyone introduced themselves and the teacher talked to us about what would be happening next week.

We also got our mobile phones, they are very fancy!

I wish I had opted in for the mobile internet thing now. I think that's why I can send messages via SMS but not messages. Maybe I can sign up to it later.

I got my bank stuff sorted, it didn't take as long as I expected. Now I gotta figure out how to deposit and withdraw money O_o

___________________________________________________________________
MONDAY 14TH SEPT

Well, the placement test wasn't the monster I expected.
There was one test for general grammar and one for comprehension.

However I was so hungry, headachy and tired by the time we got to the comprehension paper, I kind of skim read for the bits I needed so I could answer the questions quickly.

After the test I went to my flat to freshen up, dump my stuff and chill for a bit.

Then I went to Higashimatsuyama and made some Purikura and got ice cream with a friend. I love the Purikura, I wanna make lots while I'm here <3

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TUESDAY 15TH SEPT

Well, today we got separated into our levels.

There are 4 levels - level 1 is for beginners and level 4 is for students who are capable enough to take other classes with the native Japanese students.

So how is it I ended up in level 4??? Especially when I didn't put all my effort into the test.

I'm going to give the level 4 classes a go, but I fear it may be too high a level for me.
I will most likely end up going into level 3, so I don't have a mental breakdown XD

I have to choose which classes I want to take before tomorrow morning.
So far, I have chosen: Japanese language, Japanese culture, 2 kanji classes (level 3 and level 4) and German.
I need to choose 2 more now :3

korekara ganbarimasu yo!

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SUNDAY 20TH SEPT

Today I suppose has been the most eventful since we chose our classes.

I've been down with a sinus headache for a few days, so didn't do too much.
Although, some painkiller called Mogifen with like 3 anti-inflammatories in it, seems to be dampening down the pain, although it's making breathing a bit of a chore.

I got adventurous - charged up my PASMO and headed towards Tokyo.

I took the Tobu Tojou line from Kita Sakado to Ikebukuro and hung around there for a while to try and find CLOSET CHILD (a lolita clothing and BJD clothing shop) and MANDARAKE (a manga and cosplay shop).

Luckily as I was heading towards the train station there was some parade/fair on.
So I took some photos as the parade passed through.
I wish I knew what it was for though ^^;

After that, I got on the JR Yamanote line and went in search of the Pokemon Center in Hamamatsuchou.
Luckily it was well signposted from the Hamamatsuchou station and it was only opposite and slightly to the right of the station XD

I loved it there, even though it was packed! I'll definitely be going back, since it's so easy to find!!!

I managed to download some Pokemon event mystery gift for a special Pikachu field in the Heart Gold/Soul Silver walker while I was there.

There were lots of Pokemon Halloween merchandise, and there will be more in October!

I've created a Live Journal account to be my Japan diary -
http://yuuzuki1986uk.livejournal.com/

Not long now ^__^

I've packed my suitcase and I picked up my Yen and Travellers Cheques yesterday.

I really want to take more of my dolls with, but I know I'm gonna have to leave space so I can bring souvenirs back with me.

My Visa should be arriving in the post today by Special Delivery.

I really should get as much study done as possible this next week since I will be taking a level placement exam - so they can put me in the correct level class.

uwaaa! I forgot! D:

I said how I was selling and saving like crazy to get my Luts Bory...but I didn't update on here when he arrived!

He came at 07:30am on 28th May ^__^

Although there are a TON of photos on my deviantart account and on DOA/Angel Unlimited/Doll Chit Chat XD

So this is my Luts KD Bory - Ciel!








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After getting my results I got the forms from the Japanese uni
telling us when we can arrive in Japan and to let them know the flight number ASAP...
so I went flight searching!

After much phoning I got the best deal with STA...

It was £695 with 2 stops.
We go Manchester--London---Hong Kong---Tokyo!
Apparently there were cheaper flights but, I needed a flexible ticket so I can change the return date - since it was impossible to book a September to August ticket.

Now I have to wait for the Japanese uni to send my certificate of eligibility so I can go to London to apply for my Student Visa.

I think that's all I need to sort out...the uni here have automatic travel insurance and the Japanese uni people deposit us in our accommodation when we get there!

________________________________________________________________________________________

Results day was meant to be next Friday but I noticed lots of people from my class saying they'd passed.

I got:
Japanese Language - 70%
Japanese Culture - 60%
TESOL Module 1 - 55%
TESOL Module 2 - 55%
TESOL Grammar - 53%

After missing so much of the year with illness and damaged limbs I didn't think I'd get so high in Japanese XD

I've done 5 kanji chapters over the last 7 days - that's 60 kanji + 180 new words!
I think my brain is starting to smoke from overwork XD

It's been quite sometime since I updated...I think it was the New Year.

UNI LIFE:

I haven't missed so many classes this semester...must be all the multivitamin tablets XD

I'm more or less keeping up with the workload now, even though I've had a major loss of motivation since I went home for the Easter weekend.

Japan seems even closer now, I've given in all the forms and photographs they wanted.
We have a year abroad talk on the 6th May...which for some reason lasts 4 hours!!! D:


TO DO LIST:
Finish off Japanese portfolio
Finish off TESOL Grammar Portfolio
Finish off Learner Profile
REVISE REVISE REVISE!

EXAM DATES:
20TH ~ 24TH April - TRINITY TEACHING WEEK
29TH April - Japanese culture exam
30TH April - Japanese reading/writing/listening exam
5TH May - Japanese speaking
7TH May - TRINITY INTERVIEW


GENERAL LIFE:

I was hoping to stay in Preston after the exams are over for a week or two - so I can chill, practice guitar and hopefully go to a dorrie meet before I vacate the country to Japan.

But fate has it that I have to go into hospital on the 12th May for an examination under general anesthetic.
This means I have to be taken care of by someone for a couple of days after - this means I have to go home T_T
I have to have a pre-op assessment on the 8th - luckily Chris Jones said I can have my Trinity interview on the 7th!



DORRIE LIFE:

I'm selling stuff like crazy for my next resin, a Kid Delf Bory from eluts.com



I've managed to sell a Yuu head that I was never gonna be able to find a body for and a MSD sized wig so far. TOTALLING - $100
I'm holding 3 items for people - until their payday at the end of this month. TOTALLING $140

I also have a Nikon 35mm SLR film camera on Ebay (which has had some interest but no bids yet T_T)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=170322458714&Category=30035&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

So I should have enough money to order him in about a weeks time ^_^

I'm hoping to do things better this semester at uni.
I'm a lot more focused these days since I've been in a bit less pain
and so I've been able to study better.

I will make it to all my classes no matter what this year, I'll keep up with my workload and I won't get overwhelmed by anything anymore.

I don't think it's going completely to plan.....
Obviously I was hoping to go to Iaido twice a week as well but it looks as though my knee won't tolerate it. So I'll just try going once a week instead, most likely Thursdays.
The assistant sensei seems to think that if I'm interested I would come train anyway, even if my knee is bad.

I wish I had been clever at the start of this year and followed the crowd.
Virtually everyone dropped TESOL and took extra modules instead.
I would love to do the Japanese with the extra Japanese modules that some of my friends are doing.

NEXT TWO WEEK'S PLAN:

1. TESOL HOMEWORK - due Friday
2. JAP ORAL PRESENTATION - Find a topic & do research
3. LEARNER PROFILE ASSIGNMENT - Find a learner & do interview
4. KANJI - Re-learn Lesson 28 & learn lesson 29
5. TEACHING JOURNAL - organise journal, due 27th March
6. MATERIALS ASSIGNMENT - Make a start, due 20th March
7. JAPANESE CULTURE ESSAY - do research for essay
8. JAPANESE PORTFOLIO - translation task

Christmas went by so fast T_T
But I got some awesome stuff :D

I got....
Dollzone Floy and my free Dollzone Leo.
Mario Kart (Wii)
Pokemon: Explorers of Darkness (DS)
Perfume (lots of it XD)
Headphones (from my boyfriend)
Nintendo DS Lite with Guitar Hero (also from my boyfriend)




During the hols my boyfriend really spoilt me...
We went to the Trafford Centre and had Yo Sushi twice.
We had Pizza Hut 3 times (woo 20% student discount).
We went to watch Yes Man and Twilight at the cinema too.

Actually I ended up seeing Twilight twice, once with Jamie and once with my family (my mum really enjoyed it surprisingly).


I've so much work to do before going back to uni and so little time.
I'm slowly getting there, the list has gotten significantly shorter but there still seems like so much to do.


JAPANESE WORK.......
Learn the 50 Collocations
Kanji

TESOL WORK......
Language Awareness Tasks - HALF DONE
Plan Lessons for Learner Profile - HALF DONE

uurgh mou iya!!!

hmmm Christmas IS coming....that means assignment deadlines ARE coming!

I haven't finished my Christmas shopping yet.
I have yet to get for my sister and mum (even though she says she doesn't want anything).

I really need to go shopping, for food as well as Christmas stuff.
My knee has given up the ghost lately. So even getting to classes just down the road, is a mammoth challenge in itself.

My mum has bought me a DZ Floy full set for Christmas and I got the free limited Leo BB doll with him too :3
http://www.doll-zone.com/showproduct.asp?id=155
http://www.doll-zone.com/showproduct.asp?id=188

I got the message from Angelesque the day before yesterday that they will be shipped from China this week! ^^

It took me 2 weeks after putting the order in to actually notice that Leo has cute little fangs and wings XD

Since he has fangs and I'm totally taken by Kaname sama from Vampire Knight. I have decided to call him Kaname.

Floy has been named Zeke. It took me a long time to decide this for some reason.
My mum helped me with the name choice when I sent her a list of names that I thought would suit him.



I've nearly finished my assignments for this semester and so I'm starting to look forward to the Christmas hols.

It's been far too long since I have updated this.
But I suppose not much interesting has happened.

I have returned to uni and moved into my new flat with 2 of my classmates.

They got me into BJDs ~ actually I have been wanting one for a while but didn't know how to go about it.

I saw one on Dollmore which I love, he costs £286 with postage.
Hopefully will still have enough cash to buy him after the MCM anime con next month.
Or I will have to wait unti Christmas.

I found an absolute bargain on Ebay.
A SWEET WIND MEMORY ASHA, who came with 2 wigs, 2 pairs of eyes and 2 outfits. All for £208 with postage!
And she was in the UK ~ so no customs charge or big postage price.

It's my birthday today! My boyfriend came over during the weekend and gave me a present from him ~ a HUGE graphics tablet!
I've never used one before so I am a little awkward when drawing with it.

I also got a card with some cash from my mum ~ so the doll from Dollmore really is talking to me now XD


EDIT: I have her XD Her name is Yue ^_^





LOL Naruto Sand headband <3

Tuesday 5th August 2008

Preston Tokyopop Re:Con in Waterstones.
I cosplayed Sasuke Uchiha and my boyfriend cosplayed Gaara.

Again I should've taken more photos! The time seemed to go really fast!

Before the Re:Con we went for a meal at So Udon Noodle Bar ~ but the waitresses were Chinese and there was Chinese Karaoke.

I saw some friends from uni in Preston and at the Re:Con - Nicky, Damian, Lisa and Danielle.
I can't wait to come back to uni ~ I miss all my friends and I miss speaking Japanese to ppl who understand!


Wednesday 6th August 2008

I went to London for two days with my family.
We didn't get to do any sightseeing but we did loads of shopping!

I bought....
Gravitation Shuichi messenger bag,
knee high socks,
a Bleach fan,
Uryuu plushie,
Naruto pencil case,
tea cups,
Pocky,
Natto (yuck yuck yuck),
Japanese magazines,
Japanese manga and English Manga,
a t-shirt,
a Gaara patch
Genki II
Basic Kanji Book Vol2

and I came back with enough money to buy my boyfriend an i-Pod video 60GB for his 21st Birthday :D

The downside is, my already buggered knee - is even more so now.
I really am going to need the 2 weeks off work to recover!

I just realised I haven't posted for a long long long long time!

I created a Deviant Art Account today and have uploaded some manga drawings and photos
http://shadowcat1986uk.deviantart.com/

I found this in my sketch pad and laughed at Gaara's cheeky grin for ages!

I got this from Woodfest in St Asaph.

I don't know anything about taking care of them - but it came with printed instructions, so what cud go wrong (unless the cat knocks it over!).

Here are some Miis I made on Mii Channel and posted on the Mii Contest Channel...




A lot of people made Gaara and Rock Lee Miis...but I still prefer mine! :P




Light from Death Note




Sailor Moon


Toph Bei Fong


Me

I went onto www.skinmania.com and made this skin...



The picture is actually very clear in reality...I think my hands were shaking when I took the photo

I had this new tattoo done yesterday - it's supposed to be a fancy version of the anbu tattoo from Naruto...




Here are two tattoos that I had done last year....


This one is the kanji for love (ai) on the left side of my chest



The kanji next to the picture is the kanji for moon (tsuki) and it's on my right shoulder.