I was commissioned with writing a piece about my artist uncle's work. In Japanese!? Just because I studied Japanese and lived in Japan for 3 years doesn't mean I can speak and write the language. And what do I know about art? I would struggle writing a critique in English let alone in a second language.
Rather than being asked, it was more like "1 week?" "2 weeks?" Hmmm...yeah...
He gave me 2 examples from which I could copy and paste then translate into Jpnese, but looking at the language used, even that would be a challenge. Plus, I'd feel guilty signing my name at the bottom. Bugger my conscience.
Well 3 weeks has passed and I'm still procrastinating. Where do I start? Who can I ask for help from? Anyone want the job?^^
I should really learn to say no. But how could I disappoint him at his 70th birthday party? Bugger, bugger, bugger!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Out of action
The past few weeks have been pretty ordinary. That is, until I landed on my ankle going for a shot at badminton on Sunday. My foot snapped inward, I instinctively bounced back onto my other foot and then I was flat on my butt. It seemed okay after some rest and a few applications of ice (or rather, a bag of frozen peas) on Sunday.
On Monday, I was lucky enough to get a lift to work it gradually grew more painful throughout the work day, even when I had had my foot elevated on a cardboard box. When I looked at it at lunch time, it had turned a bluish-purple colour and was looking quite swollen and ugly. Thanks to SJ who kindly bandaged it up for me. And to KaKa for the lift and for pushing me around on a wheelie chair.^^
I spent the day working from home today and am so very grateful for our abundance of wheelie chairs and timber flooring. The Physiotherapist has advised me to keep the ankle iced and above hip level, but all the sitting is tiring out my butt. I guess it's a good time for me to get used to putting my feet up, eh.
On Monday, I was lucky enough to get a lift to work it gradually grew more painful throughout the work day, even when I had had my foot elevated on a cardboard box. When I looked at it at lunch time, it had turned a bluish-purple colour and was looking quite swollen and ugly. Thanks to SJ who kindly bandaged it up for me. And to KaKa for the lift and for pushing me around on a wheelie chair.^^
I spent the day working from home today and am so very grateful for our abundance of wheelie chairs and timber flooring. The Physiotherapist has advised me to keep the ankle iced and above hip level, but all the sitting is tiring out my butt. I guess it's a good time for me to get used to putting my feet up, eh.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
中秋節快樂！
Happy Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!
今日は中秋節です。中秋節は中国で始まって、秋の実りを祝う祭りです。祭りの間、月餅を食べる伝統があります。今夜、夕飯が遅かったのに、おなかがいっぱいのに、中秋節だから月餅と中国式のデザート・スープをたくさん食べてしまいました。食べ過ぎましたかな？目も開けていられないくらい眠いけれど、まだおなかいっぱいで、横になれないのが辛いでーす。＾＾；
今日は中秋節です。中秋節は中国で始まって、秋の実りを祝う祭りです。祭りの間、月餅を食べる伝統があります。今夜、夕飯が遅かったのに、おなかがいっぱいのに、中秋節だから月餅と中国式のデザート・スープをたくさん食べてしまいました。食べ過ぎましたかな？目も開けていられないくらい眠いけれど、まだおなかいっぱいで、横になれないのが辛いでーす。＾＾；
目が疲れた～
L&Bが帰り道に私を迎えにくれたけど、電車に乗って帰ったほうが良かったかな？何でいつもあの二人と一緒にいると、私が存在しないようにあの二人しかわからない話が続くの？盗み聞きでもないけど、盗み聞きしている気がして、ぎこちない感じがする。何年も前からずっと同じようなことが繰り返しているから、慣れると思うけど、毎回同じく落ち込んでしまう。弱いですね。
家に着いたのが22時位で、おなかペコペコでした。でも、テーブルに日本交通しんぶん社からのパッケージが目に留まりました。何だろう、何だろうと思いながら、封筒を開けました。8月のJR時刻表？
手紙が挟まっていたページを開いたら、見覚えのある景色が見えました。6月におばさんと北海道へ旅行したときに登別温泉で出会ったフォトグラファが撮ってくれた写真でした!(^0^) 一応連絡先を書いてあったけど、本当に贈ってきてくれると思わなかったです。ありがとうございます。良いびっくりでした。(^_^)
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A mysterious package from the Jpnese transport publishing co. was waiting for me when I got home late tonight. It was the 3cm-thick, B5-sized August edition of the JR train timetable!?!? I flipped open the book and found what appeared to be a letter slipped between pages 2 & 3. I removed the piece of paper and saw a picture of a familiar scene. It was a photo taken by the photographer my aunt and I met when we travelled to Noboribetsu, a hot-spring town in Hokkaido. Yes, I had given the guy my address & email, but I didn't think he would actually send me a copy, especially overseas. Thanks Watanabe-san!
Friday, September 21, 2007
久しぶりに一人で過ごす夜
両親は旅行へ、妹も弟たちも用事があるので、今夜は私一人で静かな、ゆっくり過ごしてる夜です。いつも人に囲まれている環境に慣れて、今夜はちょっと寂しく感じます。だれか友だちに「食事に行かない」とか、「一緒に映画でも見ない」と誘いたいと思いながら、近くに住んでいる一緒に遊べそうな友人が思い浮かびません。こっちの友人の中で、お出かけ好きな友人が少なく、ちょっとかなしいなぁ…日本で過ごした時間を懐かしく思います。
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Busy busy weekend.^^
Gee, I'm beat! Farewell party for a friend at yum cha and karaoke yesterday, played badminton this morning then tennis in the afternoon and had some fun with Apfc's adorable, fat, cuddly bunny, Punky, who kept hopping up and down around my feet...hehe, so funny!
Time for bed, I think! (-_-)...zzz
Time for bed, I think! (-_-)...zzz
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Chatswood Spring Fair
This dragon led the morning's parade, followed by Chinese lion dancers and musicians, bagpipe band, marching band, jive dancers, Korean community group dressed in traditional attire,...a very multicultural affair!^^
Beware: Magpie season!
The warm Spring weather is back, and I sense the scary magpie breeding season approaching. 'Scary' because they keep watch and attack anything that appears to encroach on their territory.
I was walking home from the station one fine September day, and as I emerged from the tree cover a crazy magpie that lived in a gum tree in our neighbour's yard came after me, several times. I ran for the house as fast as my legs could carry me but that wasn't fast enough. The second time it swooped down, it smacked me on the head! Thank goodness our house was just around the corner. I ran for my life but that didn't stop the clever creature. It came at me again! There was only minor bleeding, but boy was that a frightening experience. After that, our neighbour called for help on having the nest relocated into the bush or something. Nevertheless, I always make sure I wear a hat or carry an umbrella when walking down that stretch of road. Apparently, magpies tend to go for the eyes, so someone came up with the idea of wearing an ice-cream bucket on your head with eyes drawn on the back. I wonder if anyone actually tried it...
I also remember almost being hit by a miner bird. I was in primary school at the time, and Mum had dropped me off near the driveway of the staff carpark. The school is also called 'The Bush School' because it was like being in the forest. That carpark and the driveway leading to it was surrounded by trees and was miner bird territory in the Spring. More than one kid was hurt by a bird there. So the lesson is, my friends, to "slap on a hat" - especially in September!
I was walking home from the station one fine September day, and as I emerged from the tree cover a crazy magpie that lived in a gum tree in our neighbour's yard came after me, several times. I ran for the house as fast as my legs could carry me but that wasn't fast enough. The second time it swooped down, it smacked me on the head! Thank goodness our house was just around the corner. I ran for my life but that didn't stop the clever creature. It came at me again! There was only minor bleeding, but boy was that a frightening experience. After that, our neighbour called for help on having the nest relocated into the bush or something. Nevertheless, I always make sure I wear a hat or carry an umbrella when walking down that stretch of road. Apparently, magpies tend to go for the eyes, so someone came up with the idea of wearing an ice-cream bucket on your head with eyes drawn on the back. I wonder if anyone actually tried it...
I also remember almost being hit by a miner bird. I was in primary school at the time, and Mum had dropped me off near the driveway of the staff carpark. The school is also called 'The Bush School' because it was like being in the forest. That carpark and the driveway leading to it was surrounded by trees and was miner bird territory in the Spring. More than one kid was hurt by a bird there. So the lesson is, my friends, to "slap on a hat" - especially in September!
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