Setsubun

Today is Setsubun in Japan.

I've only ever known it as the 'bean throwing thing'.

It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. People throw beans and chant:


鬼はそと福はうち

to get rid of evil spirits and bad luck and to bring happiness and fortune into their homes.

My elementary school class this afternoon was about this. The HRT led the class for the first time and fair enough, it was mainly in Japanese, but it was still fun.

First, the kids had to teach me how to draw an oni using English. I've already taught them body parts and shapes so it worked out really well. The finished picture looked nothing like an oni but it was awesome! The kids then made fuku and oni masks (including me) and then we all went into the corridor and started chucking peanuts at each other! I don't know what was going on with my aim but I kept hitting all the kids in the face! I tried to chuck a nut to the teacher because he didn't have any but I somehow managed to hit him on the nose!

Whoops! (snigger, snigger, snigger)

Good times!

;-)

Hard Work Pays Off

I was up until 2am this morning watching movies as part of my lesson prep.

But it was totally worth it.

My kids were so excited to be acting out a scene from a film and were laughing their arses off when they realized which scenes they would be doing.

Even during their breaks they were talking about how they were gonna make the scenes work.

It's gonna be awesome!

Back in the Day

I was reminiscing about my uni years today.

I didn't have the typical uni life. Whilst other students were hitting up the student union bar, drinking £1 shots, I was sipping champagne in London's celebrity haunts.

It was at that time I got one of the best compliments I've ever had.

'You look like a young Aaliyah'.

I was only 19 and I used to straighten my hair all the time back then. I also wore it over one eye and I got that Aaliyah compliment a lot. Everytime I heard it, I was always amazed at being likened to such a beautiful woman.

What a waste of a life.

Sometimes I miss the lifestyle I used to have - champagne, martinis, members only clubs, VIP, queue jumping, launch parties and rubbing shoulders with some really incredible people.

Maybe one day I'll tell you about how I made a complete arse of myself in front of Timbaland.

I really miss Aaliyah.

R.I.P. Baby girl xx

What IS It?!

I feel like I have this massive weight on my shoulders.

And I can't work out why.

This burden which is making me desperate to know what the right thing to do about it is.

Yet, I don't know what that IT is.

Not gonna get me very far, eh?

Vanity?!

What is it with men and their obsession with training?!

I haev a friend who is pretty tall and skinny. He's defined but not in that massive chunky muscle way. Which is fine because he doesn't have the build to carry off muscle man.

Yet, he thinks he's fat and today he bought scales and starting working out at home.

When I asked him why he's starting now he thought I was having a go at him!

Ooooh tetchy!

Blatantly because of a girl!!

I just want him to be careful because he looks good the way he is and if he gets all muscly....well, I'm not sure how much that would suit him!!

Oh well - I guess it's his body!!!

Weary Bones

God I am so tired.

After the weekend and watching 5 movies yesterday.

Not to mention that my cold isn't helping.

My classes went well today but I was just looking forward to the moment when I could hit my bed.

During the lunch break I fell flat out asleep on my desk.

And even now I can't rest because I have 2 more movies to get through.

:-(

Titanic

I haven't seen this movie for years.

But I watched it today as part of my lesson prep.

And I still love it.

And it still makes me bawl my eyes out!

Big softie!

;-)

Bollocks!

Man, I don't think I did my cold any favours partying the way I did this weekend.

Especially Friday night.

I haven't had a hangover like that for a LONG time!

Think this is gonna be a tough week!

:-(