Earlier in March I headed to Tokyo for the JET Returnees conference - 50% conference 50% socializing. The conference was well organized and full of good information. I attended a number of good talks given by past JETs and various career counselor's, coming away with lots of helpful tips. The conference itself was in Yokohama, about 30 minutes by train from Tokyo. I would show you a picture but, if you've read the previous post you will know that I managed to loose them somehow. But I'm not complaining, not complaining at all. Being in Tokyo also let me meet up with some old friends - Aeric who lived in Ehime last year, before leaving for the big city. I also caught up with Olivia, a good friend from McGill. We went to Asakusa and took loads of great photos, which if I could, I would show to you.

For the last two weeks of March my wonderful sister came to visit me in Japan for 'Onsen Tour 2005'. We had a fabulous time and in the 14 days that she was here we went to no less than 12 onsen/sento/ofuro!!! Giving 2 days for travel from Osaka to Mikame, I think that's more than adequate! After a few days of biking around Kyoto we headed over to Osaka and as luck would have it, the annual Grand Sumo Tournament was being held! These tournaments are only held once a year in each of the major cities - Osaka, Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka and I know two more - - I think Hiroshima and Nagoya. After a quick stop at Lawsons to grab the requisite beer and onigiri (there was sadly, no edamame) we plopped down in our seats for 5 hours of action! It was a blast! Too bad there aren't any photos..... but not like I can complain, atleast I didn't loose everything on my computer, unlike our beloved Tom.

After Osaka we headed down to Ehime for about a week. Next it was off to Kyushu with Toshie and Koji. We stayed at an awesome ryokan in Yufuin and had a wonderful time. Toshie and Koji had to head back to work on Monday but V and I rented a car and drove to southern Kyushu for a few days. We visited Ebusuki, Sakurajima and Kagoshima. Sakurajima was beautiful and the weather was great - - and eruption free. Kagoshima is a funky funky little town that almost left me wishing that if I could re-do my JET application, I might just request Kagoshima over Ehime...almost. Ebusuki is just a small town but the view from our ryokan out over the sea was beautiful and the botanical gardens were nice too.

So after 2 wonderful weeks with my sis, I dropped her off at the airport. And as small as my apartment is, and as much as I was looking forward to having it to myself again, I still felt a bit of empty nest syndrome.....

So it's rolling around to the end of April (April!!! Holy hell, where has the time gone??) and I can't really believe that I will be leaving Japan in a little over 3 months! My contract ends on the 28th of July, as does my visa. The only real certainty at this moment is that I must leave the country on that date or face jail time!! (no kidding) My plans seem to change every day and I was considering having you guys vote as to what I should do with the rest of my life -- by my sister (missing the scarcasm in my voice) shrieked saying "that is just sooo reality tv!"

Current ideas are: travel, travel and travel/NGO work in Indonesia as and environmental educational specialist/return to Canada and marry rich

Oh, and did I mention that if I go to Indonesia, I'd be living in paradise......

emma found her way @ 9:18 p.m. | 0 comments

Ok, so with the arrival of spring I thought I'd celebrate with a bit of a new look. I've been really bad about posting recently - which has been pointed out by no less than 5 of my friends......clare, phil, kath, fred and tom.

Sadly, earlier today I somehow erased all my photos from the past 3 months - - including my sis's visit to Japan. I'll have to ask around to see if anyone else got any photos. I will post again soon when I am less bitter :)
emma found her way @ 10:06 p.m. | 0 comments