I got hit by a car this afternoon while riding my bike to work. I saw a car pull out in front of me and started to break, hoping the driver saw me and would break too.. but that didn't happen. Instead I got hit and fell down, part of my legs were under the car.
I wasn't seriously hurt, but have an array of purple/blue bruises all over my legs and one on my right elbow.
Luckily my friend Ilya was nice enough to take the time to be my translator and shoulder to cry on.
I went to a clinic to get X-rays of my right elbow and pelvis, but luckily no fractures.
The doctor said, "I have beautiful bones." LOL
So now I am at home trying to relax and take it easy.

I finally got my groove back and it feels damn great!!! Yesterday I got up at 6:30 a.m. and decided to go for a run. I knew I needed to do some speed work since my race is, yeah, this Sunday. I put on my shorts and sports tanktop... people always stare at me when I were the tanktop though, because it's like a sin for women here to show their bare arms.
I think they are just afraid to get a tan, and haven't seen breasts larger than an A cup.
I know I am being really forward here, but that's one thing that is pissing me off.
During my 8 p.m. class I had a student say to me, "I saw you running today."
I said, "No you couldn't have, what was I wearing?"
"Big Boob," he replied.
I asked, "Big boob what.?"
He gave me a blank look, after which I told him that he should simply say, "tanktop," instead of "big boob" because well quite frankly that's considered sexual harassment in some places.
I have repeatedly told my manager(s) that he speaks like this to me in class, but they simply say, "Oh he's just joking."
I just laugh it off now, but part of me is angry, not due to his comments though.
I am annoyed with the general population, who can't stop staring at a woman if she's wearing a halter top, or tank top.
Deal with it, they are breasts, and I am happy to say in some tops mine look very nice.
On Sunday when I run my race I will wear my sports tanktop, and people can stare all they want because I refuse to get over heated during my race. I am pumped now, ready to go, ready to run. I will give it my best, and afterwards my friends have organized a picnic.
The moral of this story is don't let one society's cultural views, or men for that matter bring you down, be proud of yourself, don't be ashamed of what good genes gave you!!!!

Saturday night I finished work at 7 p.m. and I was itching to get out of Nagasaki. I met Diana at Amu Plaza and then headed straight to the bus station. We took the 8:15 p.m. express bus to Fukuoka for a girl's night out.
During the ride there, sitting in the very back row with Diana, I thought that the driver was not really capable of driving stick shift. The bus kept making weird noises... I was a little frightened.
But two hours later we were in the big city... and I felt alive, full of energy.
We went to Mister Donut to fuel up and then headed to the dance club... named, Happy Cock.
An entry fee of 2,000 yen got us in the door and unlimited drinks until 3:30 a.m.
Diana said we should try all the cocktails on the menu, but I wasn't feeling that adventurous. Instead I stuck to screwdrivers, with the exception of one pina colada.
The music was good, and there were loads of people, a mix of Japanese and foreigners, including a cross-dresser.
I couldn't help but stare, when I first saw the man, dressed as a woman because this is not something I see on a daily basis in Japan.
Later in the evening... Diana came up to me and told me that the cross dresser and his boyfriend had asked her if she wanted to have a three-some. I think the first thing that popped into my head was "Oh my God." Needless to say, I think Diana was shocked as well__ so from then on the two Ds stuck together.
I didn't get asked to have a three-some but I did meet a bunch of very "cocky American Navy men" how appropriate that they decided to come to the Happy Cock.. LOL.
I wasn't interested in meeting men, or finding a date, all I wanted to do was dance, and dance I did!!!
We danced all night until about 4:30 a.m. and then headed back home on the bus.
I had a great time... and I did not have a hangover.
In fact the next day Diana and I cooked dinner together for the boys.
It was a fun filled weekend!!!

So my 10 km race is only one week away, and since I hadn't been out for a run this week I thought it was about time I got my ass out of bed and did something.
By 7 a.m. I was up...I still don't know why I can't sleep in anymore. Eh, it will all get better soon.
I ran a 4 km route and now I feel as Ron Burgundy puts it "SUPER DUPER."
(You have to watch Anchorman, it made me laugh)
I am so excited about this day, even though it's a work day for me. I am just counting down the hours now until my Swedish mate and I head to Fukuoka.
I AM going to shake that thing tonight.. LOL
I hope ya'll have a fabulous day.
Byes for now......

Do you see that little fish in the picture? It looks like he is trying to hide, and that's how I felt this week.
I wanted to hide from this big, cruel world and be in a place where there aren't wars erupting everywhere.
I was really down and I was beginning to think this feeling would never pass, yet luckily it did.
Yesterday I decided to ride my bike to work, and on the way home I stopped off at the Guest House. The Guest House is Nagasaki University's dorm for international students.
Right now former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl's doppelgaenger is living there. (Can't comment further though, because I haven't actually met him yet tee hee).
I was greeted by my three new friends. We had planned to eat dinner together but since I finish work rather late they began eating without me. It was not a big deal for me because I was just happy to eat some food that I didn't have to buy in a convenience store, or cook at home. Kai made chili, which was spicy and delicious.
I enjoyed my company and we had some good conversations... even if it was just about the crazy lives of some celebrities.
Yes, I also agree Nicole Kidman is beautiful.
Soon though, the carbs were kicking in and I began to feel sleepy. Before leaving I left my bike with Kai, since he said he could use one. I hardly use it anyways.. so I thought someone might as well get some enjoyment out of it.
As I walked home I thought about my week, and hoped that soon I would feel happier again. One thing that bugged me was the fact that my spare house key was missing. When I came in the door a thought came to my head, maybe I left it in one of the shopping bags I had saved. I opened my closet and looked into a pink paper bag, but nothing. Then I looked in a blue plastic bag where I had stored some Christmas presents. There at the bottom of the bag was my key!!!
I jumped for joy... I was so happy. This one little thing made things so much better.
Soon after I went to bed, and then at 3:34 a.m. I got a phone call.
I answered my cell phone, and to my amasement it was my aunt Monika from Germany. She got the time difference mixed up, but I didn't care I was so gald to hear from her. She told me that she may come visit me early next year, before I leave Japan for good. Yatta, hurray, SUPER DUPER... yes that would be awesome.
I was overjoyed, I had a hard time falling back asleep, but I realized that paying it forward is something everyone should do more often.
GIVE A LITTLE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE SOMETHING IN RETURN... even if it's just finding a key you lost.

P.S. I would love to read comments from my friends :)

I have a new cousin, his name is Nick.
I received an e-mail this morning from my uncle informing me that his wife gave birth to Nick on October 18th.
Welcome to the world!!!

Pretty pink flowers, they surely bring a smile to my face. This picture was taken in May 2006 in the Peace Park.
I had an average day, but I got a little lonely in the afternoon. I was thinking about my family and friends back in Canada. I miss them... and driving a car.
Hmm it's funny I never thought I would miss that, yet I yearn to just jump in my car and drive.
Road trips, going camping, swimming in the lake.
Ahh... I guess I am homesick.
Well soon enough I will be home for the holidays.
I can wait.

I will cry tears of joy when I see my family at the airport.

Alles wird okay sein.. ich muss nur Stark sein.

OBLADI OBLADA

LIFE GOES ON..

Okonomiyaki and yakitori

My Sunday's usually don't begin at 9 a.m. but I'm on a mission to get fit. My friend's Tomoko and Chika met me at Matsuyama Race Track, and then we headed off to the gym.
The entry fee for this gym is 520 yen, which I think isn't too bad considering other places force you to take on a monthly membership which costs about 100 dollars per month.
This gym includes free weights, weight machines, exercise balls and various cardio machines.
We all started off on the bike machine and then each did our own routine.
My focus yesterday was abs and my arms.
About 2 hours later we were all done, and I enjoyed a hot shower. The water pressure is really strong.. ahh it was a nice treat after a long workout, really soothing, sensual.
I wanted to spend hours in the shower, but I couldn't because my friends and I had plans to make okonomiyaki.
This dish is basically a pancake made with a base of flour, eggs, bean sprouts and cabbage, after which you can add ingredients you desire. We chose to add bacon, squid, cheese and ginger. All ingredients can be found in the local grocery store, including the toppings of nori, fish flakes and okonomiyaki sauce.
Making this dish does not take a lot of time, and having spent loads of money on this dish in the past at restaurants I have decided to cook it at home from now on.
We all enjoyed our time together... and were later joined by Rieko. Four girls cooking and eating together, what more can you ask for? Alcohol? Yeah that came later in the evening.
At around 5 p.m. I asked Tomoko to give me a lift home on her motorcycle. I wanted to sit on the back seat and enjoy the ride.. but instead I screamed home most of the way. I'm way too girly somtimes.
After recovering from the ride I met up with Ilya in front of Urakami church along with three exchange students: two from Germany and one from Sweden.
We had planned to go to a local sushi place, but on this night it was very full so we went to a yakitori restaurant instead. We had an array of meat skewers and started drinking beer. The conversation flowed, we told jokes and spoke about our experiences so far in Japan.
After dinner we headed for the local park and drank Italian wine, which I had purchased in a local liquor shop. Each person had to take turns making toasts.
Mine was "to where ever life takes us, and to getting ultimate satisfaction this week."
Whereas another toast was, "to getting multiple, long lasting orgasms." Well hey I think everyone would want that. LOL
After the red wine was out, we went on to a bottle of Japanese rum, mixed with cola of course.
Ah... great laughs were had by all especially after D's drinking song, something from Sweden. It was a repetitive chant with actions. I wish I had my camera that night. You had to be there.
The party continued at the dorm.. minus Ilya.
We listened to music and I danced a little... but I kept my crazy moves to a minimum. I have to save my energy for Fukuoka.
Ahh my life in Japan... on some days quite ordinary, whereas others are quite crazy. I guess my good intentions of getting in shape kind of went to waste after indulging in alcohol, I have no regrets though.