It's snowing, I mean it's really coming down in huge flakes outside, I can't believe yesterday it was so hot I completely forgot to take my jacket to the airport.
I'm at my desk in Kurohone, but here is something I wrote last night at Sydney airport...
"Ok, so it’s been a while because obviously I’ve been back in Australia. I’m in the airport at Sydney so I thought I’d start getting back on track.
Before I left Japan I spent a night in Tokyo. So while I was there I met up with Andrew and his girlfriend during the day and then we met with a bunch of her Australian friends that night. They were in Japan for a ski trip, so we met up with them and went to Yokohama for dinner at Hard Rock Café.
That was a pretty fun evening, although I’m not sure about the caffeine eyedrops that the other Aussies were indulging in. Galen came down to Yokohama for dinner as well, he and I were the only ones not to indulge in the eyedrops, which everyone admitted hurt quite a lot, why would you? I still don’t know or care.
So I got a seat at the back of the plane, and got shifted to a central row so there was a vacant seat between me and the guy on the other side, that was nice.
So I got back to Melbourne at around 11.30 am and got picked up from the airport by Mum, Jacquie, Shelbui and Max. It was nice to see them, and Max didn't even cry, so I think he actually remembered me.
The 12 days flew by too fast. I did get 4 trips to the cinema in, although one was a repeat of The Day the Earth Stood Still, not a bad movie but not great. I was going to see The Wrestler on my last night in Melbourne, but when I got to the cinema at Chadstone they had cancelled half the screenings and were running a very reduced schedule. So I went to Southland to see if it was showing there, but it wasn’t so I ended up seeing Quantum of Solace instead. Action packed but with very little story to speak of. Still, it’s a half price movie ticket compared to Japan.
I did get to eat real pizza, fish & chips, chicken parma, pavlova, had a couple of bbq’s, etc. I bought Freddo Frogs to take back for omiyage, so the teachers at school will all get Freddo’s when I get back.
Of course I left my jacket behind in Melbourne, not a great idea since it’s winter in Japan, but I bought a new fleecy jacket at Sydney airport, I figured it will be cold when I get to Tokyo (boy was I right there, 0 degrees when I arrived and 3 degrees 2 hours later when I was catching the bus) and I don’t want to buy something in Japan with too short sleeves. Plus this has a kangaroo and ‘Australia’ on it, so that’s classy."
...back to the present, I gave out the Freddo frogs at the chugakko, the office manager made a comment about them being very sweet, I don't think she liked it, whatever! I have just ordered a dishwasher basket from ebay for her. I spent a day in Melbourne looking for one but they don't have them anywhere, so I will get one from ebay. I think she thinks I couldn't be bothered, but I went all over Chadstone looking and no-one had anything. I have to admit I didn't try a baby shop, and they seem to be marketed for baby bottles etc.
It's really coming down, Ishikawa sensei asked me why I came back because it's cold here (at least I think that's what she meant).
I didn't take many photos in Australia, but I'll put up what I have.
I was supposed to have the whole day off work, but I came in anyway, I should be able to save 2.5 hours of holiday time that way. I can use that later if I need to leave early for any reason. Must remember to adjust the paperwork.
I think I have enough food in the house, I have vegemite and there's bread in the freezer so I'm ok today, don't fancy driving to the supermarket in the snow, hopefully tomorrow will be better.
