Sports pass across the border

There is something which can pass across the border around us...

Today, I went to the Olympic Park where Sydney Olympic was held to watch Judo! One of my Japanese friends Tomoko took part in a Judo competition. Even though she is from Yamanashi university, I had never seen her Judo. Also, it was the first time for me to watch Judo directly. (I should have watched Judo in Japan!) As her friend, I went there to cheer her up with her international friends.

She could not win. However, to our surprise, it was cleared that her competitive was a Representative of Sydney Olympic team! Tomoko had a match with a big athlete!!

By the way, I respect her because she enjoys her interest even in Australia. Though I was going to join a wind

orchestra club, I have not found yet. In my plan, I want to make through my interest, music. But, it is not so easy because wind orchestra does not seem to be popular in Sydney. For me, she is my classmate as well as my senior in a meaning of doing an interest as a communication tool. Today, she inspired me a lot...!

To Brisbane~Day3

To my surprise, today was the last day...Mai went back to Sydney earlier than us to watch a rugby game. Three of us, Kanako, Sooyoun, and I and a Korean girl who stayed in same room at an accommodation went to Brisbane all together.

Fortunately, it was nice weather today. We hanged around a beach in the morning. Although there was no surfer, it was just like 'surfer's paradise'! I wish I could surf...In fact, I have tried to surf only once in Australia. But I wasn't brave to try alone. After that, we said good bye to Gold Coast. On our way to Brisbane, I don't know how many times we got lost. When we arrived at the first destination was around 2p.m. We ran out of time to go some places. So, we went to Town Hall, the botanic garden. Though Brisbane is a quite small city, it would have developed like Sydney. What I was surprised there is how big Brisbane airport is! I have been to some airport in Australia. Brisbane one would be the biggest among airports I used.

Finally, I can say I had a good traveling with friends. As I wrote, I could discover their unexpected characters. Thanks a lot Yamanashi girls!!!

In Gold Coast~Day2

Fortunately, it was gooood sunny day today! We planed to go to one of theme park, the Movie world. Before we came to Gold Coast, we asked many friends who have been to theme parks which is the best one because we were going to only one theme park.

If I describe the Movie World, I can say that it was like a small USJ. I have never been to USJ though... The main movies are 'BAT MAN' and 'SUPER MAN'. But, we didn't have to make a queue longer than fifteen minutes. It was strange and unexpected situation for us Japanese who used to wait about one hour to ride attractions in Tokyo Disneyland or Fujikyu highland. You would see how small the park was. Oh, I had one more unexpected thing, which is about Mai and Kanako. To my surprise, Mai was really scared to ride coasters with Sooyoun. However, Kanako was so curious that she said 'interesting!'. (I looked up to her because she shouted something in English even though we were riding a coaster.) I was between them. I was not scared to ride and wanted to try everything but was not so active as Kanako. In the afternoon, we met our friends Jason and Takashi there and hanged around together. They, Kanako, and I rode a 'SUPER MAN' coaster at last. I seemed to shout and have an ugly face...haha......

The theme park was big enough to go around in a day. Though I could not help comparing it with Japanese theme parks, we enjoyed a lot:)

To Gold Coast~Day1

Since I came to Australia, I had been traveling by myself. The reason why I traveled alone is because I want to be independent. If I go with someone, I think I would depend on the person. So, this travel was the first time for me to go with my friends. Does it sound lonely? No worries, I have friends to go traveling if I want.

Yamanashi girls, Mai and Kanako made a plan. Our destination is Gold Coast, Queens Land! We supposed that Gold Coast is good place to go with friends because there are some theme parks. Actually, I did not want to go a theme park alone. It's nice choice, isn't it? But, the only thing difficult for us was to make our schedule. Mai and Kanako went ahead. I and Korean girl, Sooyoun who stays with same house with Kanako got to Gold Coast.

Unfortunately, it was heavy rain there. We could not see a beautiful beach though we stayed at Surfers Paradise. Instead, we enjoyed shopping. I was surprised that Kanako loves shopping so much! Members of us were only girls, which was good. On the other hand, we did not have a sense of direction...So do typical girls, don't they? Mai had the best sense of it among us and took us to our backpacker. umm, I could see different characters of Yamanashi girls!

thank you my australian family!

Today was the last day to stay with my host family because I decided to move to UTS dormitory. Tomorrow, I have to check in and move to new place.

Since I came here, I have lived with my host family. As I wrote before on this blog, they are immigrants. So, their life styles are different from Aussie family whom Kanako and Mai stay with. Sometimes, I felt cultural differences and difficulties to stay. But, I could have very very precious experiences! Even though I go to the UK (my host father's home country) or Belgium (my host mother's home country), I cannot have such a life. Don't you think so?

The last week was the worst week. Everyone except my host father was sick... Though I wanted to help them somehow, I think I could not do anything special for them. However, fortunately, I could have a last dinner with them all. Finlay they recovered from sickness! I tried to talk more than usual. Sure thing...I was very quiet when I had a dinner with them for the first time. haha.

Anyway, after the dinner, I gave them a present. I wrote mannnnnnnnnnnny massages and collected my favorite pictures of them to make them remember me whenever they have a look my present. My host sister and mother gave me presents as well. There would remind me of staying with them for five months!

Because of my defect of vocabulary, I cannot express my appreciation in words... The longer I was with you, the more I knew your family, and the more trouble I made to you, which must be my memory forever...THANK YOU VERY MUCH for taking care of me as a part of your family! I will visit you at least once before I go back to Japan!!!

Who was he?

For a couple of days, it was so crowded in Sydney. I had not known the reason why so many people came to Sydney from over the world. Because of the event, Christian people who had same huts and backpacks were everywhere. This event made me think about cohesion of religion.

Anyway, today, I joined a walking event which was run by UTS from Circular quay. We walked to Balamora beach with Salad bowl member. Salad bowl is one of UTS community like JASS. International students and local students who are interested in international people join the community. I have participated some events of it so far. Whenever I attend events, I can make new international friends. Today, I got friends with Chinese and Polish girl!

After the event, we dropped at Star Bucks coffee to chat. Then, there was a man who wore a colourful robe which was decorated with many national flags. He smiled us and spoke to me hello in Japanese! Who is he...? A common idea about him among us was that he might be Pope! In Circular quay station, many Christian people marched to the Opera House...He must be Pope!...We met one of the most famous people in the world! Even though no one is Christian, we were happy to see him. I could not help talking about this story to someone! However, everyone whom I told the story doubted the man. Definitely, he must not be at Star Bucks alone...maybe he was an imitation Pope. If you want, please laugh me~

to be relaxed...

Almost everyday, I drink more than three cups of coffee...Do I have too much caffeine? While I'm drinking, I can be relaxed~! On my way to our university, there are so many coffee shop that I cannot count them. Sometimes, I buy a cup of coffee in the morning even though it does not wake me up. Western coffee culture spreads over Australia. I can kill time finding new cafeterias and chatting having coffee with my friends.

As that fact was shown, a massive and dangerous (for me) event was held at the Rocks! It is called "the Aroma festival." A lot of coffee, chocolate, and tea shops gathered at the venue and sold their products cheap. I was satisfied with smells hanging around. But I could not stand without having anything! I bought an affogato, a latte, a chiller and a waffle. There were so many shops that I could not judge which shop was better. After I felt full, I enjoyed tasting many kinds of sweets. (I noticed why I'm getting fat...) Anyway, this event is held once a year. I did not miss a lovely event!