I can't believe it's halfway through September already
Contract renewal offers will be given in December and we have until February to decide whether to stay for another year starting in July next year. At this point I am really thinking about going home. To me Japan is a fantasy-world where time stays still, but at home everything is changing. I'm getting older I realise, as it's my 25th birthday in a couple of weeks. I always get kind of sad around my birthday in Japan because I want to be with my family and friends back home.
Anyway, I started going to karate club at school again. Today the vice-captain of the team Deguchi taught me a new kata. He is trained in Goju-ryu (a style of karate that originates from Okinawa) and taught me saifa, one of the easiest kata he knows (upon request). It's pretty bad-ass and Goju-ryu is definitely more masculine than the style I learn, which seems a lot more graceful. At first I found it impossible to remember but after asking him to do the steps with me about 8 times (poor kid), I pretty much have them down. Now it's just about making it look good. I'm going to ask my sensei about it tomorrow but he may not know. I was pretty surprised to talk to Deguchi for the first time after the summer break. He's all grown up! Before the break he was just a little kid, although much more mature compared to his other peers but something has definitely changed. I need to practice really hard so I don't get in the way O_O; Man, those kids make me feel like I'm rubbish at karate. Deguchi learned a new kata after being shown just once - that's how fast they are. Or maybe the better you get at karate and the more kata you do, the easier it is to see patterns in the movements and so it becomes easier to remember? I'm hoping that's the case.
In other news... Buzzer Beat ends next week with a 75 minute finale. I'm really sad that it's ending because it's definitely been my favourite series of the season. I thought Koishite Akuma was my favourite, but the last couple of episodes were a little disappointing. Another ALT Emma even sent me an email saying: "I bet they ran out of budget for that last CG scene." during the final episode but I still cried, haha. I am getting really sensitive in my old age.
EDIT @ 12:16AM
Hang on a second I forgot to mention... what is with HSJ getting their own FC? I joined the Johnny's Jnr. FC just so I could ballot for their concerts a little easier but now it's going to cost another 5000 yen a year. Granted, the Jnr FC only costs 2000 yen a year in blank postcards but still... You&J costs 5000 and includes Kanjani, KAT-TUN AND NEWS. OMG. To join HSJ's FC or not to join?!
Anyway, I started going to karate club at school again. Today the vice-captain of the team Deguchi taught me a new kata. He is trained in Goju-ryu (a style of karate that originates from Okinawa) and taught me saifa, one of the easiest kata he knows (upon request). It's pretty bad-ass and Goju-ryu is definitely more masculine than the style I learn, which seems a lot more graceful. At first I found it impossible to remember but after asking him to do the steps with me about 8 times (poor kid), I pretty much have them down. Now it's just about making it look good. I'm going to ask my sensei about it tomorrow but he may not know. I was pretty surprised to talk to Deguchi for the first time after the summer break. He's all grown up! Before the break he was just a little kid, although much more mature compared to his other peers but something has definitely changed. I need to practice really hard so I don't get in the way O_O; Man, those kids make me feel like I'm rubbish at karate. Deguchi learned a new kata after being shown just once - that's how fast they are. Or maybe the better you get at karate and the more kata you do, the easier it is to see patterns in the movements and so it becomes easier to remember? I'm hoping that's the case.
In other news... Buzzer Beat ends next week with a 75 minute finale. I'm really sad that it's ending because it's definitely been my favourite series of the season. I thought Koishite Akuma was my favourite, but the last couple of episodes were a little disappointing. Another ALT Emma even sent me an email saying: "I bet they ran out of budget for that last CG scene." during the final episode but I still cried, haha. I am getting really sensitive in my old age.
EDIT @ 12:16AM
Hang on a second I forgot to mention... what is with HSJ getting their own FC? I joined the Johnny's Jnr. FC just so I could ballot for their concerts a little easier but now it's going to cost another 5000 yen a year. Granted, the Jnr FC only costs 2000 yen a year in blank postcards but still... You&J costs 5000 and includes Kanjani, KAT-TUN AND NEWS. OMG. To join HSJ's FC or not to join?!