Well, given my lack of updates recently, I thought it was time to rattle my brain and organise a couple of months of living into something remotely exciting.  (Also im now stuck at the office for 3 weeks because its spring holiday so I have nothing much better to do!!). 

So, in February, my friend Rie organised a formal dress party, F4, and I even got roped into doing some Irish dancing.  It was a really fun evening, and I was finally able to wear a dress I bought over from NZ.  Earlier in February I went down to Mt Aso region again – this time a weekend road trip with 4 others, (cosy!!).  Some of the pictures show the fun in the snow..

With the end of the Japanese school year being randomly placed at this time of year, we recently had graduation.  It was an awfully boring ceremony – not an ounce of happiness shown at all, but I am learning that that is just Japan.  So, from April, I will have all new little 12 year olds.  I’m looking forward to being with them for the whole year.  Yes, that translates into I have signed my contract for next year, so at the earliest I am heading back to NZ August 2007. 

Anyway, so now it is spring, and the plum trees are in bloom.  Everyone goes on about Sakura (cheery blossoms), which will bloom really soon, but the white or pink plum trees are also really nice.  With this breezy feel, I realised winter wasn’t kind to my figure and finally joined the gym.  It’s a superbly nice gym, and I’m looking forward to making the most of the pool and hopefully some sort of body combat aerobics class too.  I had my little assessment yesterday, where a little machine held at arms length told me my body was 25% fat – a wopping 15kgs, so I think Ill be going quite frequently for awhile.  Last week we had a national holiday on the Tuesday – so I walked up the hill out back of my place.  Unfortunately I didn’t plan the hour and a half excursion and so need to do it again soon and this time take my camera.  It has spectacular views all across Fukuoka city!

And, that is about all I have done of note in the last few weeks/months.  I have been generally quite busy, but getting down into just the normality of having a life, and not particularly picture-worthy occasions.  But I am well, enjoying it still, and looking forward to the change a new school year, new teachers and warmer weather can bring!!