Kansai my new home!

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Been here for a week. A series of events have kept me on my toes for the past seven days. I kept my eyes clear, my ears open, my pen and notebook occupied so that no important info can pass me right through. Now that I'm sitting in my apartment after a long day of cleaning, it's time to filter and process the inputs.

From Tokyo MEXT orientation, Mr. Hiraki quoted, "Today is the first day of the rest of our lives." That gentleman's got some wise philosophy there. This is actually one of my favorite quotes. I've set my stay in Japan to two years. Since it is a definite time, I would love to make the most out of this experience to broaden my visual/intellectual horizon at the same time to introduce Japanese people to the world that I know of. Mr. Hiraki finished his presentation with another quote,"A man who is incapable of making mistakes is incapable of anything." It stroke me, I personally think that I used to be trapped in the well of avoiding mistakes or to hide them to be exact.

I met my school teachers, principal and vice-principal two days ago. We had a well-decorated Bento lunch together. All the teachers are amazing one has ran a marathon twice in a roll and he'll help me register for it this year! Kyotoo-sensei (Vice-principal) has two daughters, one a-year older, one a-year younger than me, he laughed saying that I could call him "Osaka papa". Later that night, N-sensei brought me to her house to have dinner with her family. Their hospitality has made Osaka feel exactly like home to me.

My apartment is what I expected, a small...maybe very small bachelor apartment. When you step into it, there! You can see the whole apartment without walking in further. That's how small it is... (But please don't feel discouraged to visit me..^^ I've extra futons and bedsheets.) and it's cozy and clean... I have no complains. It's got the best location that I'll have quick access to the top-notch culture events and activities in Japan! ^^

Last night I was on my way to meet fellow JETs at Minamikata for Naniwa Yodogawa fireworks festival. Many locals created a wonderful scene by wrapping up in colorful Yukata. The train station was so packed and yet I was amazed how efficient the trains were to move crowds around. when the train stopped at Juso, everyone got off and so I was like should I go meet JET folks or should I see the authentic Japanese way of fireworks celebration??? I stood one foot on the train one foot on the platform for 30 sec and I made up my mind to follow the Japanese crowds~! The photos reluctantly captured some of the spectacular lights over a bridge while the trains were running through it. Enormous amount of people were sitting on the river bank to witness this summer event. My photos don't do it justice. I always take shabby night photos, anyone would like to lecture me on "how to take fireworks photos" please do message me. ^^

Love, Fang

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Photos

Yukata...
I'll buy myself one soon...soon!

Sandra
ah....crap...
got cut off the top part

Apartment
There you're looking at 2/3 of my apartment space --- before cleaning

Comments

[Fay]

beautiful yukata
Those yukatas are gorgeous! I want to get one too... Your suite is quite small...is there any cooking facility? Or is it buried by your stuff in the picture? =p Oh yes, beard papa! Does it taste better in Osaka? :) Looking forward to reading more blog entries from you!