Me and my snazzy new haircut. Got it all layered at a very nice salon in Nagoya this week. I love it. I'll take a photo of it down soon...  

And the beat goes on...

So I still haven't figured out how to use the scanner at work. So, this means I will have to wait until I get Andrea's digital photos before I can send along anything regarding the South Asia trip.
Sorry!

These photos are from my kendo Christmas Party in December. I am feeling a little guilty because I haven't been to kendo practice since I've been back. It's SO cold, and I cringe at the idea of running around a freezing gym in barefeet. I am going to suck it up and go this Thursday.

It's been hard to be social since I've been back (with my Japanese friends). I'm at my mid-year hump, so the combination of winter blues, and my longing to be back on the beach in Thailand is making this month drag on a bit. I am looking forward to Spring, and also to Summer... I am beginning to really miss home, and look forward to the luxury of living in a country where people speak the same language as me.

That's all for now... hope everyone is well!

ps - I am going to see Sonic Youth play in Nagoya!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!

Lim and I looking fierce in our kendo uniforms. The Japanese on the front of my uniform is "Mitchell" in katakana. 

The boys goofing around. The one to the right is my biggest troublemaker, both in and out of the classroom. He's a riot, so it's hard not to laugh and remain composed in my "teacher mode." 

The kids cracked open some party streamers. This little girl takes kendo with me. -- The kids love having their pictures taken! 

My kendo teachers and Lim. 

Hara Sensei! - He is one of my kendo teachers and is such a funny guy. Very sweet and caring man. And VERY patient with me!!!  

These are my jokers. They won these masks in our Christmas gift draw. 

Isn't she cute!? She's a student of mine, and her brother plays kendo. She comes every week to watch. We had fun chasing each other around all night. 

All Is Well...

Okay, I know it has been FAR too long since I have posted, but I have my reasons.
1. December was a crazy month because of the stress of my application to York U.
2. I was stressed out from school, and anxious to start my Christmas holidays
3. I was on a 3 week vacation in South East Asia.

South East Asia... yes. I am alive and I was NOT in Thailand when the tsunami hit. I was in Cambodia - and safe. It was a good shock to the system for everyone though, and I apologize for blipping off the map. Thanks to everyone that wrote me concerned emails or called my parents.

I could try to write a book about my travels, but I would be here all day and who likes to read long entries anyways... I am in the midst of trying to learn how to use the scanner at school so that you can see some images.

For the meantime, here is a brief list of highlights

- Christmas Day in Saigon getting a massage at the institute for the blind
- Seeing how silk was made in the mountains of Vietnam
- Drinking too much rum on the warm beach of Mui Nai, Vietnam
- Falling off my motorbike (into sand! I am okay!)
- Riding across Vietnam on the back of a motorcyle with the "Easy Riders"
- Seeing Angkor Wat and chilling out with monks
- Seeng an elephant walk down the street in Phnom Penh on it`s way home from work
- Getting an INCREDIBLE massage on the beach
- Fishing and Snorkling in the warm ocean in Thailand
- Nightswimming in the ocean with new friends
- Pad Thai, dragon fruit, and oramnatams (sp?)
- The market in Bangkok
-Boatride at sunset
- Meeting tons of children

Anyways... that is just a brief list. There is so much more... Fingers crossed I learn how to use this scanner.
Happy New Year!