I cancelled my plans to go out tonight because just for once, I wanted to stay at home and chill.
I realised today that I'm out of the house 7 days a week. I don't get that one day where I just slob out at home. This week has been no exception but so far, this year has been really, really busy - work, going to the gym and just catching up with lots of friends. I'm gonna be doing that again tomorrow so I just wanted tonight to just relax!!! I did want to go and meet my friend but after work, I just didn't have the energy. One of my kids even told me that I looked really tired and then when I looked in the mirror, I saw that I had massive dark circles under my eyes and looked about 10 years older!! That was enough to deter me from going out tonight! When you haven't seen someone for ages, you always kinda wanna look good you know? And I definitely was not looking good!!
xx
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Thursday, 7 January 2010
New Year's Resolutions
Last year, I made ten New Year's resolutions.
Out of that ten, guess how many I managed to keep? A measely 3. I did succeed in doing all of them at some point, just not continuosly and definitely not long term.
I've been much more realistic with my resolutions this year. I'm not gonna share all of them with you - I always find that revealing too much never helps anyone - but I will tell you a few of them.
The 3 biggest things for me this year are to save money, get healthy and pass 2kyuu of the JLPT.
I am always in a constant battle to save money. The problem is I love to travel, and there are still so many countries that I want to go to, and being here, I want to make the most of it. So I know that I won't be able to save everything, but I can definitely put a bit aside every month - even if it is just a couple of man, it's better than nothing. And given that my salary is lower than it was on JET, and my rent is seven times higher, that makes saving all the more difficult.
When I say I want to get healthy, I mean in terms of exercise. I really need to work on my general fitness - stairs still kill me and I can't run. Even running to the train station when I'm late leaves me gasping for air. I'm doing alright with this already - ditching the train and walking to the gym, taking the stairs instead of using the escalators (or walking up the escalators if they're really long), and it definitely feels good. I can't change my diet - my love for cake and other sweet things will just simply not allow it. I'd just be downright miserable without my cake - and everyone who knows me knows that that's true! LOL! But I know I need to get off my lazy arse and start doing something about it!
I never studied properly for the 3kyuu of the JLPT so I kind of need to review the grammar and kanji for that level before I even start on studying the 2kyuu. I've been reviewing the vocab on my train ride to work and I'm really shocked I managed to pass 3kyuu given how much of the recommended vocab I don't actually know. And don't even get me started on the kanji readings - I mean, I can tell you the English meanings, but for the most part, I don't have a clue how to actually say any of them. I figured that I can give myself until end February to go over the 3kyuu stuff properly - it's more the vocab than the grammar that I'm worried about. Then from March onwards, I'll concentrate fully on the 2kyuu. I would like to start from next month really, but I wanna be realistic, and with my working hours, I won't be able to review everything by the end of this month. Maybe I can aim for mid February instead...we'll see how it goes.
So yah - those are the main things that I've got going on this year. I also want to travel whenever I can - I hate wasting opportunities and I've already lost one by not going anywhere over the winter break so I definitely want to make up for that. Travel aims this year are Seoul, Malaysia and Singapore, trip to the States to see friends and either a trip back to UK or Australia/NZ. Bora Bora is definitely out - I know I said I would make it happen this year but it's impossible because I won't be able to save enough money before I want to go. And taking that trip would mean that I wouldn't be able to do anything for the rest of the year - and I definitely don't want that to happen.
On a completely different note, I had a bit of a proud moment in the classroom today, when one of my babies stood up on his own for the second time ever! It really is quite remarkable working with babies and watching their development. I also have another baby who has started clapping! When I met him he couldn't even walk. So cute.
xx
Out of that ten, guess how many I managed to keep? A measely 3. I did succeed in doing all of them at some point, just not continuosly and definitely not long term.
I've been much more realistic with my resolutions this year. I'm not gonna share all of them with you - I always find that revealing too much never helps anyone - but I will tell you a few of them.
The 3 biggest things for me this year are to save money, get healthy and pass 2kyuu of the JLPT.
I am always in a constant battle to save money. The problem is I love to travel, and there are still so many countries that I want to go to, and being here, I want to make the most of it. So I know that I won't be able to save everything, but I can definitely put a bit aside every month - even if it is just a couple of man, it's better than nothing. And given that my salary is lower than it was on JET, and my rent is seven times higher, that makes saving all the more difficult.
When I say I want to get healthy, I mean in terms of exercise. I really need to work on my general fitness - stairs still kill me and I can't run. Even running to the train station when I'm late leaves me gasping for air. I'm doing alright with this already - ditching the train and walking to the gym, taking the stairs instead of using the escalators (or walking up the escalators if they're really long), and it definitely feels good. I can't change my diet - my love for cake and other sweet things will just simply not allow it. I'd just be downright miserable without my cake - and everyone who knows me knows that that's true! LOL! But I know I need to get off my lazy arse and start doing something about it!
I never studied properly for the 3kyuu of the JLPT so I kind of need to review the grammar and kanji for that level before I even start on studying the 2kyuu. I've been reviewing the vocab on my train ride to work and I'm really shocked I managed to pass 3kyuu given how much of the recommended vocab I don't actually know. And don't even get me started on the kanji readings - I mean, I can tell you the English meanings, but for the most part, I don't have a clue how to actually say any of them. I figured that I can give myself until end February to go over the 3kyuu stuff properly - it's more the vocab than the grammar that I'm worried about. Then from March onwards, I'll concentrate fully on the 2kyuu. I would like to start from next month really, but I wanna be realistic, and with my working hours, I won't be able to review everything by the end of this month. Maybe I can aim for mid February instead...we'll see how it goes.
So yah - those are the main things that I've got going on this year. I also want to travel whenever I can - I hate wasting opportunities and I've already lost one by not going anywhere over the winter break so I definitely want to make up for that. Travel aims this year are Seoul, Malaysia and Singapore, trip to the States to see friends and either a trip back to UK or Australia/NZ. Bora Bora is definitely out - I know I said I would make it happen this year but it's impossible because I won't be able to save enough money before I want to go. And taking that trip would mean that I wouldn't be able to do anything for the rest of the year - and I definitely don't want that to happen.
On a completely different note, I had a bit of a proud moment in the classroom today, when one of my babies stood up on his own for the second time ever! It really is quite remarkable working with babies and watching their development. I also have another baby who has started clapping! When I met him he couldn't even walk. So cute.
xx
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
You're Kidding Me, Right?
In my efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle (well, healthy in terms of exercise, not food!!!!), I've been walking to the gym and trying to stairs instead of using the escalators...sometimes :P
And now I've pulled a muscle in my arse!! At least, that's what I think it's from! ;-)
This is how I get rewarded?! Obviously, I've been trying to change too much too fast. And especially on days like today where I have to practically power walk to get back to my house and get to work, it's not surprising that something pulled. Why don't I go straight to work from the gym? I would, if I didn't have to commute so far. But taking my gym back an hour and 10 mins on a rammed train is so far from ideal, it's not even funny. The less shit you're carrying, the better. And as long as they're time to drop my stuff off, I'm gonna do it - even if I do have to powerwalk!
I've been arriving at work absolutely shattered this week. I try to study on the train and I just feel so drained byt he time I arrive at work...and then I never catch a break because I teach 6 classes a day, and then it's time for the ghastly commute back home.
It just feels like I'm constantly busy. And there's a lot going on this month as well - I'm gonna be having visitors plus a good friend is moving back to Tokyo and gonna be crashing with me for a while. Not to mention the social shit that's going on as well. Always something to do.
A with a recommended 600 study hours for 2kyuu....well, I don't think I'm ever gonna be short of anything to do!!
On that note, I need to go to bed! So tired.
オヤスミ
xx
And now I've pulled a muscle in my arse!! At least, that's what I think it's from! ;-)
This is how I get rewarded?! Obviously, I've been trying to change too much too fast. And especially on days like today where I have to practically power walk to get back to my house and get to work, it's not surprising that something pulled. Why don't I go straight to work from the gym? I would, if I didn't have to commute so far. But taking my gym back an hour and 10 mins on a rammed train is so far from ideal, it's not even funny. The less shit you're carrying, the better. And as long as they're time to drop my stuff off, I'm gonna do it - even if I do have to powerwalk!
I've been arriving at work absolutely shattered this week. I try to study on the train and I just feel so drained byt he time I arrive at work...and then I never catch a break because I teach 6 classes a day, and then it's time for the ghastly commute back home.
It just feels like I'm constantly busy. And there's a lot going on this month as well - I'm gonna be having visitors plus a good friend is moving back to Tokyo and gonna be crashing with me for a while. Not to mention the social shit that's going on as well. Always something to do.
A with a recommended 600 study hours for 2kyuu....well, I don't think I'm ever gonna be short of anything to do!!
On that note, I need to go to bed! So tired.
オヤスミ
xx
Monday, 4 January 2010
JLPT
So while I was trying to work out how I was going to get into a regular study routine, I started reading up on the new JLPT.
And that's when the doubts started to come - whether I would realistically be able to pass 2kyuu this year.
The level N3 that they've put in between 3kyuu and 2kyuu is totally manageable. The kanji, the amount of vocab and the approximate study hours all would be doable - even with my crazy schedule. I took a look at some sample quesitons and they were hard, but I know that if I was to knuckle down and study, I can seriously do it.
N2 has over 400 more kanji, a ridiculous amount of vocab and another 150 extra recommended studying hours. I was wondering when the hell I would be able to fit that into my schedule. I get home so late...I just can't see it happening. That's hard work to the point that I would actually have no other life....and that would kill me.
But then I realised that if I was to do N3 and pass it, which I know I will, I will still be in the same position as I am now - stuck in teaching because I still won't have 2kyuu. And isn't that the whole point?! I've figured that what I'll do is start studying for it and then decide in like September or whenever the application process starts. That way, if I'm no way near ready, as may as well take N3...for no other reason than to know that I can pass it. One step closer and all that.
I just need to work out how I can realistically do this....
xx
And that's when the doubts started to come - whether I would realistically be able to pass 2kyuu this year.
The level N3 that they've put in between 3kyuu and 2kyuu is totally manageable. The kanji, the amount of vocab and the approximate study hours all would be doable - even with my crazy schedule. I took a look at some sample quesitons and they were hard, but I know that if I was to knuckle down and study, I can seriously do it.
N2 has over 400 more kanji, a ridiculous amount of vocab and another 150 extra recommended studying hours. I was wondering when the hell I would be able to fit that into my schedule. I get home so late...I just can't see it happening. That's hard work to the point that I would actually have no other life....and that would kill me.
But then I realised that if I was to do N3 and pass it, which I know I will, I will still be in the same position as I am now - stuck in teaching because I still won't have 2kyuu. And isn't that the whole point?! I've figured that what I'll do is start studying for it and then decide in like September or whenever the application process starts. That way, if I'm no way near ready, as may as well take N3...for no other reason than to know that I can pass it. One step closer and all that.
I just need to work out how I can realistically do this....
xx
Fresh Air!
In my new year's resolution quest to save money, I decided to start walking to the gym.
From leaving my house right up to walking into the gym entrance took no more than 6 minutes - 2 mins from my house to the station, 3 minutes on the train and then less than a minute to walk to the gym at the other end. But today, I worked out that spending 340yen on the return train ticket was setting me back nearly an extra 6000yen a month! SCANDALOUS!!
I can't believe that I have been pissing away money like that for a couple of months now. That alone would cover the membership fee for a month!
So today I decided to walk - it only took 25 mins and felt great. Yeh, it's freezing outside but the knowledge of how much money I will be saving by not being so lazy makes it all worth it. The best thing about it is that I was walking in a direction that I had never been in before and have discovered a whole load of awesome restaurants on my doorstep! And a whole load of stores! Sweet!
I won't be able to walk every time that I go though. I know for sure that I will have to get the train there on the days that I go after work, otherwise I will never make the classes in time....and then on one day I only have a short amount of time to actually make it into work and it's already rushed as it is, so I'm not sure I'll even have the time to walk.
All that money. Such a waste.
I've also been looking into joining a pole dancing fitness school. A friend of mine has been doing it for a while and her body is absolutely incredible! Not to mention that she has increased flexibilty and can do all sorts of acrobatic tricks. The stigma that is attached to pole dancing has changed so much and so many people, including myself, are appreciating the art form as it moves away from the sleazy club image that so many of us have of it. It's pretty expensive though and the class times are pretty dodgy, but I'm hoping that I can figure something out - I mean, if I have a body like my friend's, then I will have an even more banging body than I did when I went to Bali last year! LOL!
Yay!!
xx
From leaving my house right up to walking into the gym entrance took no more than 6 minutes - 2 mins from my house to the station, 3 minutes on the train and then less than a minute to walk to the gym at the other end. But today, I worked out that spending 340yen on the return train ticket was setting me back nearly an extra 6000yen a month! SCANDALOUS!!
I can't believe that I have been pissing away money like that for a couple of months now. That alone would cover the membership fee for a month!
So today I decided to walk - it only took 25 mins and felt great. Yeh, it's freezing outside but the knowledge of how much money I will be saving by not being so lazy makes it all worth it. The best thing about it is that I was walking in a direction that I had never been in before and have discovered a whole load of awesome restaurants on my doorstep! And a whole load of stores! Sweet!
I won't be able to walk every time that I go though. I know for sure that I will have to get the train there on the days that I go after work, otherwise I will never make the classes in time....and then on one day I only have a short amount of time to actually make it into work and it's already rushed as it is, so I'm not sure I'll even have the time to walk.
All that money. Such a waste.
I've also been looking into joining a pole dancing fitness school. A friend of mine has been doing it for a while and her body is absolutely incredible! Not to mention that she has increased flexibilty and can do all sorts of acrobatic tricks. The stigma that is attached to pole dancing has changed so much and so many people, including myself, are appreciating the art form as it moves away from the sleazy club image that so many of us have of it. It's pretty expensive though and the class times are pretty dodgy, but I'm hoping that I can figure something out - I mean, if I have a body like my friend's, then I will have an even more banging body than I did when I went to Bali last year! LOL!
Yay!!
xx
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Slow Jamz
You always go through a phase of listening to one type of music.
Right now, I have gone back to listening to a lot of slow jamz. After a blinding NYE of reggae and dancehall, I love feeling so chilled out. Loads of people hate on slow jamz because of the lyrics but meh, whatever. I've totally gone off listening to underground hip hop - I'm just not into it anymore, but I'm still loving my reggae - that's something that just never seems to go away. And I will ALWAYS love dancehall. Slow jamz and dancehall - my ultimate faves.
Where would we be without our music?
I love being surrounded by people into different music because you can learn so much from them. And I definitely do...I also thinks it almost helps you to understand someone as well.
I just spoke to my boy over in Kyushu - it's always good to have a chinwag with him and I can't wait to see him again and hang out in my fave bar. All good times to come.
xx
Right now, I have gone back to listening to a lot of slow jamz. After a blinding NYE of reggae and dancehall, I love feeling so chilled out. Loads of people hate on slow jamz because of the lyrics but meh, whatever. I've totally gone off listening to underground hip hop - I'm just not into it anymore, but I'm still loving my reggae - that's something that just never seems to go away. And I will ALWAYS love dancehall. Slow jamz and dancehall - my ultimate faves.
Where would we be without our music?
I love being surrounded by people into different music because you can learn so much from them. And I definitely do...I also thinks it almost helps you to understand someone as well.
I just spoke to my boy over in Kyushu - it's always good to have a chinwag with him and I can't wait to see him again and hang out in my fave bar. All good times to come.
xx
早い！！！！！
I cannot believe it's nearly time to go back to work already.
From 29th, right up until today, I have been seeing friends everyday - catching up, hanging out...it's been absolutely fabulous but now I'm absolutely exhausted and from tomorrow it's back to the gym and time to get back into my routine.
I just can't get over how quickly my time off went - it's been so crazy. I am so just kicking back and chilling at home by myself today - I might be meeting up with friends later but that's gonna depend how much sleep I get this afternoon! I woke up with a really interesting bruise on my arm - wonder where the hell that came from?!
So tired. And so not ready to get back to work. I need a week just to get over this one!
*sigh*
From 29th, right up until today, I have been seeing friends everyday - catching up, hanging out...it's been absolutely fabulous but now I'm absolutely exhausted and from tomorrow it's back to the gym and time to get back into my routine.
I just can't get over how quickly my time off went - it's been so crazy. I am so just kicking back and chilling at home by myself today - I might be meeting up with friends later but that's gonna depend how much sleep I get this afternoon! I woke up with a really interesting bruise on my arm - wonder where the hell that came from?!
So tired. And so not ready to get back to work. I need a week just to get over this one!
*sigh*
Saturday, 2 January 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I had a ridiculously awesome last week of 2009. I caught up with so many friends and had such a great NYE - just how I like to start a new year!
I am so ridiculously tired today but I still have to go out tonight because a friend from Kyushu is in town and I wanna hang out. I had like a perfect Friday night in last night - I watched Avatar with a friend while we scoffed pizza and a billion sides!
Avatar - what an UNBELIEVABLE movie. I was just thrown by the beauty of it. The storyline was great and there were just some really BEAUTIFUL moments in it which really got me. Definitely one to buy on Blu-ray! Can you imagine!! I really can't wait for that.
Hope you all had a great NYE too. I went to Shibuya for the countdown - not what I was expecting but after that we drove to Roppongi and had our own little countdown in the car and then hit up one of my favourite spots for a night of free!!!! Music was so on point that my feet were literally burning by the end of the night. The trip back was seriously painful and I think I may have had my beer goggles on when my friend told me that a guy that I thought was buff, was actually fat. DOH! Lol!!
All the luck in the world for this year!! Just make it happen! I know I definitely will be!
xx
I am so ridiculously tired today but I still have to go out tonight because a friend from Kyushu is in town and I wanna hang out. I had like a perfect Friday night in last night - I watched Avatar with a friend while we scoffed pizza and a billion sides!
Avatar - what an UNBELIEVABLE movie. I was just thrown by the beauty of it. The storyline was great and there were just some really BEAUTIFUL moments in it which really got me. Definitely one to buy on Blu-ray! Can you imagine!! I really can't wait for that.
Hope you all had a great NYE too. I went to Shibuya for the countdown - not what I was expecting but after that we drove to Roppongi and had our own little countdown in the car and then hit up one of my favourite spots for a night of free!!!! Music was so on point that my feet were literally burning by the end of the night. The trip back was seriously painful and I think I may have had my beer goggles on when my friend told me that a guy that I thought was buff, was actually fat. DOH! Lol!!
All the luck in the world for this year!! Just make it happen! I know I definitely will be!
xx
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