In Takayama!

So I`m in Takayama now, but still don`t have any internet access (I`m currently in a Internet Cafe) nor do I have a phone. Actually, I`m not even sure of my address! Hopefully I`ll be getting all of those things soon. Takayama is a great little city; today I went to the morning market and saw some temples and shrines. Went to a fireworks festival the first night I arrived. My apartment is lovely. It is on a river and has three rooms (two are hardwood one is a traditional tatami mat room), a Japanese-style shower/bath room and a kitchen. Can`t wait to update with pictures! Hope everyone is well. E.

Tokyo 1: Having a Lost in Translation Moment

'Lost in Translation' being the wonderful movie about Jet lag and Karaoke in Tokyo (amongst other things) by Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray and Scarlet Johanson. I say this because it is currently 3:29 AM Tokyo time and I am wide awake, unable to sleep. Now, despite the wakefulness of myself at this present time, I'm also exhausted and I can't think straight. So let me give you some pictures.

Me and my mom at YYZ














Me and my dad at YYZ














So I said my goodbyes and was about to go through US customs when I heard my mother shout my name; turns out my brother had just called to say goodbye (aww). The security people were nice and let me go back to take the call.










These are some of the crazy kids I hung out with at the airport: Galina, Yuri and Audrey. Nice hat, Yuri.






















We flew Northwest and first had a short stop-over in Detroit. Andrew and I went for a stroll and then nearly missed our connecting flight. Obviously we did not, but here we're a little sweaty and breathless from the run through the airport. Whoops.








And look, my very first view of Japan!

























Well, that's it for this evening. We all depart for our prefectures early tomorrow morning and things will be crazy -- apparently there's a typhoon coming? Fun times! More pictures to come.

And I'm off!

So it's almost 2am and I'm still up doing last-minute packing things. We had our final JET orientation/reception today at the Toronto Hilton, and the only picture I managed to take was this one:

Kevin and Andrew having a Seinfeld moment in the Parking Garage (Look at those snazzy suits - and yes, we found the car eventually)

Tokyo tomorrow!

Hullo, I'm off to Japan

Hullo everyone - I leave for Japan this Saturday. Wow, time flies. Thank you to everyone who came to my goodbye party and who sent me cards etc. It's all extremely appreciated!

Currently I'm busy trying to pack and sort through boxes and scan photos and other fun things, so, in lieu of a real post with any sort of decent content I'm just going to post some totally random photos.

The sky at the cottage

Last night in Uxbridge before the storm - rather ominous wouldn't you say?


Me and Devin (a few years ago)

Me and Devin (a few weeks ago)


Kita watch where you're sniffing!

Some of the Toronto JET group on a boat cruise back in June

My 'Good bye' party cake: that's my middle name 'Terumi' in Japanese characters

Family portrait up at the cottage