It's a new year

well, it's the new fiscal year anyways...

and yes, I'm changing supervisor...for the 3rd time. I don't know why..but I don't think it's me. This has got to be a record, no?

So it's been awhile, so thought I would do a little update. (can't believe that the last time I wrote on this blog was like october last year... geesh, sandy!)

Okay, so I finally decided to leave Kanoya, and the job as a CIR. I'll be finishing my contract on July 25th. Hopefully I'll be able to get a job soon, but I've been procrastinating in that area. Went to the returning JET conference in March, but actually came back more confused than before. With all these possibilities, I guess there are lots to choose from... that is if I know what to choose!!

I didn't do anything over the new year holidays... I stayed in Kanoya, and basically just pigged out at home. However, got invited to many people to their houses for food. God I ate so much... :p I spent the new year's eve with the Hirakawa family in Wako Daycare. They are sooooo nice. I couldn't believe it. The dad even gave me a Otoshidama.. hee hee

Just last week, I got back from a week long trip in Ishigaki. I went to Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, Kohama Island (where the "Chura-san" drama hails from), and Taketomi Island. I gotta say, my favourite is Taketomi Island. I just love the small island feeling and met this wonderful Obaa there. She dragged 2 HUGE nets of mozuku all the way from the ocean to the beach. I tried to lift one and embarrassingily couldn't... ahaha

I'm hoping that I'll be able to get out of here during GW time... perhaps to Saga... we'll see..

taking the water buffalo (suigyusha) to Yubujima from Iriomotejima

a kind of hibiscus... soooo pretty!

The Fusaki Beach (inside the Fusaki Beach Resort)

Rose Festival 2007 Autumn

went to Kanoya Rose Festival today.

It will be exactly 1 year ago on Monday when we had Global Festa... God, that was such a crazy time...

Anyways, so went to Rose Garden in hope of taking some nice photos of the roses. Thought might even submit my photography to the Rose/Sea Photo Contest in Kanoya.

It turns out that they are not even in full bloom yet! >_< Well, about 50% in bloom, so not as pretty as it should be. It's been really hot and I think the heat kinda burnt some of the flowers. However, still got some nice shots.

This is one of the few photos that I think might be good enough for submission...

rose in a cup

got a bouquet of roses for my birthday and one flower fell off when the bouguet was waved around violently..(by me). Mayumi san told me to put it in water and watch it bloom...and man, it's pretty...

the above one was taken on the balcony with light around late afternoon. I initially put the flower in a glass. It looks really pretty and clear. (taken with my sony super steadyshot W80)

Then, I put it in a shochu cup which is long with a wide mouth. The rose blooms too widely so half of it is soaked in water... but still looks nice!! (taken with Canon Kiss digital X)

Yabusame in Koyama

well, actually.. Kimotsuki town, since it merged with uchinoura..

anyhoo... went to the Yabusame matsuri where a boy in Junior High 2nd year will ride a horse and shoot on target in the traditional Japanese bow and arrows. If the boy misses the target, then the town will have bad luck in the next year... such a big responsibility on a boy! of course he gets 3 tries, but..what if??!!

I tried to take some nice pics but then it all went by so fast... and I think I concentrate on taking photos and actually didn't see the shooting and riding horse part directly. oh well :p

here's a collage with the photos I took.

Kirishima Open Air Art Museum

On September 22nd, went to Kirishima Open Air Art Museum and took some nice photos~ here are a few of them...


This is a passageway that leads to a lookout point on the hill. Here's the view:
And here's an artwork by Yayoi Kusano:

Sakurajima

went to Tenkyukan (Star Observatory) in Kihoku... didn't get in, but took a nice shot of sakurajima! check it out!