Late in May to Before Session Break

I did completely forget to write new post on this blog for long time...
So here, I'll write the extremely exciting things I did from late in May to before session break.
I'm not sure if they sound exciting or not for you, but anyway :)


31st May 

My two home stay mums and I went to watch footy (AFL) game at GABBA!!!!!

That was soooooooooo exciting game. The game was St. Kilda v Brisbane Lions one, and one of the mums and I were on the Saints side.
The first quarter, Lions lead by 28, but eventually, Saints won by 22!!!!!
Okay, I want to introduce my favourite player.
He is Josh Bruce and the number is 27.
He is a really good player and also cute. hehehe :P
He didn't do as well as usual on this day, but I really think that he is one of the really important player in Saints. Thank you for the trade, GWS.


6th June

Home stay mum, her daughter, and I went to Government house.
I didn't take any photos because I wasn't sure if it's ok to take photos.
The house was really beautiful and massive.
However, we couldn't see the dining room which I really wanted see.
We all were bit disappointed about this, but I don't have many opportunities to visit this kind of place, so it was alright for me :)


7th June
(It's the date when my lovely Blackberry died...)

The first sleep over ever in my life!!!!!!!!!
I had trouble with my phone, so I thought I couldn't go, but thanks to my home stay mum, I could make it. 

My friends and I went to shopping first, went to Fuko's house, and cooked dinner.
We made kimchi hot pot, but all I did was just cut tofu. hahaha
That was really delicious meal!!!

Honestly, it wasn't all fabulous, but was really good experience for me.

Thank you, Fuko, Ayano, Asuka, and Ayumi!!♡

21st June

My home stay mum and I went to watch netball final!!!!!!!!!

It was just awesome!! :D

Sydney Swifts lead the whole game, but the last minute, Firebirds made a goal and won!

That was just one point win, so all Firebirds' supporter were really excited after the game.

It was the second time for me to see professional netball game, but I think I am a big fan of netball as well as AFL.

(I still clearly remember the moment the game finished.)

Oh, and after that, we went to see USS George Washington.

It stayed a little bit far from the coast(?), so it didn't look really big...

I was bit disappointed about the size, and moreover, the ground was really muddy and it was soooooo cold. :(

However, it's not easy to see such a ship in Japan (well, at least near my area), so I think it was a good experience...maybe...

27th June 

It was a big day...

I already had 6.5, but still it was a massive and super stressful day. 

Only this day, my home stay mum let me use her favourite lunch bag.

Yes, it's Saints lunch bag! :)

About IELTS? Oh, don't dare ask me...

10th July 

It was my last day in ICTE.

This session, I was in a fantastic class, everyone is friendly, really kind, and the teacher was awesome as well. I was really happy that I could spend last session in a class like this.

For dinner, my home stay mums, staymate, and I went to a Japanese restaurant in Mt.Gravatt.

It was the first and the last time we went out for dinner while that staymate was here. The dishes were really good, and we could have a really good time together.

         

So, that's all before the session break. ;)

2 Months Have Passed!?!?!?

2 months have passed since I came to Australia.
Time flies so fast!!!!!!
But for me, time went faster in the first month than in second month.

 Week 7(4/5-10/5)

On Monday, EAP class started.
Every classmates in last session's class said it's not as fun as GE course, so I was a bit worried about classes.
Well, sometimes I feel bored, but I think the teachers are really good so I think it's fun!(Even though I have writing homework almost every week...)


On Saturday, I bought cosmetics in cheaper than normal price.
It was only for people who had ticket, and my host family had five, so they took me with them.
I bought a lip stick and an eye shadow.

I was really happy that I could buy ones which I couldn't in Japan because of the price.

It was Mother's Day on Sunday.
I went to Arboretum park with my host mother.
She and her friends have picnic lunch there on Mother's day for about 25 years.
I don't do the thing like this in Japan, so I could really enjoy.

After dinner, I gave Mother's day gift to my host mothers.
I was really happy that I could see their smile on face♪


Week 8(11/5-17/5)

Nothing special happened in this week, so nothing to write!!!!!
I know it sounds like "I don't want to write much, so I'll say like this".
But it's true!!!!!!


Week 9(18/5-24/5)

 


One night in this week, a little cute kitten, Sapphy, did this.
 
Isn't she so cute?

She fell off from the bed side table after I took this photo, and also, she was kicked out from my room...













On Sunday, a new student came!!!
Her name is Sandy and from Hong Kong.
Before she came, I was a bit worried about her accent because some Chinese students have strong Chinese accent in their English.
But her English is really good.
I hope that we can have a good time together next 8 weeks. :D

 

Final Week and Break!!!

Last 2 weeks are pretty excited, coz 5th week was final week of my first session, and 6th week was my first session break!


Week 5 (20/4-26/4)

I knew that we would have a lot of exam this week, so I was a bit nervous whole week...


On Wednesday, I had a speaking test. 
I know that my speaking is not so good, because I'm not good at talking with not so close person and I can't continue the conversation.
So I really didn't go to uni on this day. :(
However, during the test, I tried hard and I think I could do well.(Compared to other discussion test I had in Japan)

After the test, my teacher gave me some feedback, and he said my pronunciation and fluency were very good, so there are my strong point. 
He also said that I didn't use much vocabulary which I learned in this session.
Now I know my strength and weakness, so I can concentrate on my weakness when I study.
That's really good, isn't it? :)

When I go back home, I found that there was a card from post office which telling my parcel arrived!!!!!
So I went to post office with my host mother to collect it.

My parents sent me a lot of clothes and snacks, and one important thing, IELTS text book.
I was really happy coz I can eat Japanese snacks and don't have to use too much money to buy clothes. 
BUT they sent me too much, so I was in trouble with the place to put them in...
Anyway, thanks mom and dad!! <3

I didn't have any test on Thursday, but I had listening, reading and writing test on Friday.
The listening test was from ABC radio news, so it was a bit difficult for me.
Reading test: difficult
Writing test: not so difficult (but I don't think I'll be able to get good grade...)

After the big test, we had barbecue lunch!!!
I ate crocodile meat for the first time and it was really delicious!!!!!!
It was like chicken meat but tougher.
Great new experience!! :)


Saturday 
25th of April, ANZAC day
I went to ANZAC day service with my host mother.

I didn't know anything about ANZAC day before I come to Australia.
It's a commemoration day for people who served and be killed in war.
It made me rethink about peace and Japanese law about military force.
I can't understand the politician who tries to change the law...
I think all Japanese people have to think why we can live in a peaceful country.

Later this day, I put on nail polish on my finger!!

(I know it's not a good photo, but let me post this)
There is not enough tool to put some art on my fingernails, but I really enjoyed it, coz it's one of my hobbies.


Sunday

I went to my host mother's nephew's house.
One of his daughters is 3 years and she was so cute. She has her own shop!!
She ate jelly for the first time in her life, and she said it was exciting and nice.
I agree with her. :)
Jelly is soooo nice, and yes, texture is so interesting.
Mmm, I want to eat jelly now.


Week 6 (27/4-3/5)

My first session break week!!!! yeahhhhhhh!!!!


Monday

I went to James street and Chinatown with my friends.
On James street there are not many shop than I expected, but James Street Market was good.
I like market coz I can buy a lot of food, and I don't know why, but I think it's fun place. :D
And Chinatown, there are many Asian shops and restaurants (mostly Chinese ones).
I heard from my host mother that there is a really good Japanese restaurant there, but I didn't try this time.
So I need to go and try before I leave here.
(Why I always forget to take a photo?!?!?!?!)


Tuesday

I went to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre with Mai (one of the Kandai students).
We go there very often, but never been to all shop.
So this day, we tried to go around all way in there.
And of course we did it!!
You know, there was plenty of time, so how can we fail to do this? :P

After that, we went to City, and buy Mother's Day gifts.
I have to send one for Japan, and it's a bit annoying...
But It's okay. It's Mother's Day. I will do everything for her.
I hope they will enjoy my gifts...

Oh, nearly forget about this.
I ate gelato which I really wanted to eat since I saw the shop for the first time.

It's Macadamia and Caramel one, and it was really good!!
There is Green tea flavour, so I want to go and try again.


From Wednesday to Friday, the weather forecast said it would be rainy, so I stay at home all day.  (Though it didn't rain on Wednesday...)
Bit boring days, but I found that I can watch some Japanese TV program on SBS2!!

It's like a game show, and really popular in Japan.
There are English subtitles, so I think it's good to study English expression. :)

When I feel bored, I often watch movies.
So in those days, I watched 'Bridesmaids' and 'White House Down'.
I think both are really good movies. :)
My host family has many movies on hard drive and DVDs.
So, there's a lot of choice!!! :D


On Friday, new family member finally came to the house!!
Meet her, Sapphy♡

She has beautiful eyes like sapphire, so she is Sapphy.
She is just so adorable, and so gorgeous.
Love you, Sapphy♡


Saturday

I went to Garden City with may friends.
It is a really big shopping center.
There is a food court called '8 street', and we can eat many Asian food there.
I didn't buy anything, but we all get tired after we walk around all way in there. 

Sunday

Sapphy did a really adorable thing.
After I eat breakfast, I went to my room to change my clothes.
Then, she followed me!!!!
I pick her up and take her to the outside of the room.
Then, she kept crying in front of my room!!!!
Don't you think she is so cute!?!?

In Japan, high school I went has school festival today.
I wanted to go there and meet my friends and see what my club (E.S.S.) gonna do.
I hope they gonna do well on their stage.

My First 4 Weeks in Brisbane

Almost 4 weeks have passed since I arrived in Australia.
Time flies so fast!!!!!!!!!

It is the 3rd time to come to Australia, so I have only few anxious things.
The one big concern was whether I can get along well with my host family.


Week 1(22/3-29/3)

I arrived at Gold Coast Airport on the 22nd of March.
It was around 6 am when we arrived, so was bit tired but at the same time, I was really excited.

Got on the bus, and went to UQ. And finally, we met our host family!!!
Well, I'll talk about my host family later :)


The program in ICTE-UQ  started the next day.

We had a test on the first day and we divided into each class according to the result of the test.
I was put into level 6, and I was really surprised that I'm the only student from Kansai Uni who is in level 6.
I was bit worried because I thought "What if I have a problem?? I can't ask my friends."
However, I found that I didn't have to worry. All my classmates are really kind!!


On every Friday, we don't have afternoon class.
So this week, I went to Indooroopilly with my friends and bought sandals.
I thought I didn't need to bring sandal from Japan because it will be autumn in few month.
But I was wrong... I REALLY need sandal.(I should tell this to those students who will come to Australia next year.) 


Also, weekend was really excited.

Saturday
I went to see a netball game which my host mother's granddaughter played in. It was the first time to see a netball game, and I thought it's really exciting though seemed a bit hard for me to play.
After that, my host family and I went to Eat Street Market.

   
We ate a lot of food from different countries, but the most delicious one was oyster.
I really like oysters, so I ate 6. It's so many, isn't it?
And the ones on the photo are danishes with chocolate( inside is nutella!!!).
It was so sweet but tasty. <3


 Week 2(30/3-5/4)

This week we didn't have school on Friday, cuz it was Happy Friday!!!!!

Wednesday
A bad thing happened.
On the way home, the train's electrical system was broken and couldn't move at all between two stations. The doors move by electrical power, so they couldn't open the door as well.
I took that train and couldn't get out from it for long. Well, I felt it was a really long time.
I couldn't understand what train conductor said, so I was a bit panicked.
But now, I think it is a good experience. (Though I don't want to be in this situation any more.)

Thursday
I met my friend who is an UQ student.
The first time I met her was about 4 years ago in Melbourne.
I went there as an exchange and went a local private school where she went for 3 weeks.
She was not my host sister, but one of the member of exchange program, so we went many places together.
So, we were sooooo happy cuz we could meet again here.
We grabbed a coffee and walked around the uni. On the way, I could find many beautiful places and the places I would never go again.
Also, we made a bucket list together.

I had a great time with her, so I want to meet her again during my stay if it's possible. 

Saturday
My host mother took me to her cousin's house and had barbecue.
I met her cousin and his family, and her brother and his family.
I couldn't talk a lot (I should have tried to), but I had a really interesting conversation with her cousin's son's girlfriend.
She is really interested in Japan, and showed me an interesting web site.
It's like Instagram and there were a lot of photos which were taken in Japan.
We talked about Japanese food and culture, and promised to meet again before I leave here.

Sunday
When I woke up and went out from my room, there was a Easter banny in front of my room!!!!!! 

On this day, I went to see a professional netball game with my host mother and her granddaughter.
We were on the Firebirds' side, and it won by ten to the other team at the end of the 3rd quarter. 
But, on the last quarter, the other team did very well, so it became a really close game.
Because of this, it was a really exciting game!!!!!!
Oh, the result? Of course, Firebirds won!!! :D


Week 3(6/4-12/4)

I didn't have school again on Monday!!
So, I went to buy some plants with my host family.
I was really surprised that there were so many kinds of plants in the store and also there were many people.
I don't think gardening is popular in Japan, and maybe it's because of the structure of houses.

I had 4 days off because of Easter, so I really don't want to go to uni on Tuesday...

Oh, on Thursday, all students from Kansai Uni met Renee at last!!
We didn't know about our program well, so it was really good opportunity to ask question.

Sunday
We went to IKEA to eat brekky and bought some stuff.
I've been to IKEA in Japan, but never been there to eat breakfast.
So it's a kind of new experience.


Week 4(13/4- 19/4)

Weekdays are becoming a bit boring these days, because everyday I go to school, do homework, and so on...
See? Usually, nothing special happens.

However, Friday afternoon and weekend are still exciting.

This Friday, my friends and I went to Brisbane Twilight Markets.

There were many shops and so many people.
Only thing I was disappointed was there was no shop which sold food.
Maybe it's because of the location(in front of the City Hall), but I really wanted one...
However, the city hall was really beautiful in the light.

I went back home after 9 pm on that day.
It's not scary to walk in the dark, but to take a train around that time was a really scary thing for me.
Two security guys looking at one certain direction, and four teenagers who look scary were on that train.
So, it was a little nightmare for me. :(   

On Sunday, my host family and I made Okonomiyaki, Japanese pancake together.
I can't cook at all, well I think I can but never done it all by myself...
So it was a bit challenge for me.
However, my host family are really good cook and they helped me (Thank you so much!!), so there was no problem. :)

I think I should cook other Japanese food for them one day.



About My Host Family♡

My host family is just soooooo amazing.
There's no big quarrel but I can hear someone is laughing every single day. Isn't it good? :)
It's so comfortable here, and maybe much more fun in here than in my home.
I'm really happy to be one of this family.
How lucky I am!!!!!!!!! 


I still have 32 weeks in Brisbane, but I already think it's too short.
Maybe one day, I'll come to think it's too long.
However, this 4 weeks proved that my life in here must be great. 

Study hard, and visit many places. 
I'm making really good memories with my family and my host family.