Driving Lessons

*
I started learning driving in the beginning of August. The reason I want to drive is because I might need to drive at some stage in the near future, for example if we moved somewhere in the middle of nowhere or got kids I had better have a licence. Even if not, driving licence is a useful ID card. My partner also wants me to drive, especially after drinking...ha ha. Well, like most of other places in Great Britain, Cambridge is not like Tokyo or Osaka. Although there are bus services and taxi companies, we cannot say 'We don't need a car at all'. Cycling is popular, but I am not a huge fun of cycling, especially when it's cold or the road is busy. And most importantly, our bikes got stolen three times! I don't really want to keep bikes any more!

around our flat: leaves are colouring beautifully

For these reasons I decided to drive. For the first 2,3 lessons I was over-excited with the fact that I was actually DRIVING A CAR. Next, fear came. Oh my god I cannot join the traffic in roundabouts, oh my god I cannot turn right at a junction, oh my god I stalled the car, oh my god the other drivers are annoyed by my slow driving... Then, now, finally I feel a bit confident. Still there are so many things to learn and to get used to, but I think am becoming a beginner DRIVER, looking back I was a clumsy LEARNER a month ago.

By the way I've never driven a car in Japan. This is my very first driving licence in the UK. I didn't need to drive in Japan as I was living in a convenient place and was always using trains, probably the cheapest and fastest way to move around Tokyo. Roads of the big cities in Japan are too narrow and congested, in other word, it's too scary to drive around. As for the UK, I'll never drive in London, for the same reasons: no need to drive, roads are scary, and in addition there is a congestion charge.

dusk in Cambridge

When I am working on the driving theory, sometimes I cannot help smiling, as I have learnt that the road users are not only cars, cyclists, motor-cyclists and pedestrians. There are horse riders as well. I haven't actually met any horse riders when I was driving, but am 100% sure that I will in the future. I have met them several times when walking or cycling. Riding a horse on a road... what a nice and peaceful scene, isn't it? Also, there are flocks of sheep and cows crossing a road as well if I go to country side. Animals make me smile, and make me drive more carefully.

Anyway, I don't know how long it will take for me to get a driving licence, but hopefully early next year, not 2 years later. Only 43% of learner drivers can pass the practical test, which scares me a lot, but let's keep fingers crossed... As for theory test, I'll pass it at the first attempt! See what happens this Friday!!! Ha ha ha, yes, I'll take the theory test this Friday...
Friday 13th...oops.


この記事を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!

Holiday - New Zealand

*
Our next destination after Koh Samui was New Zealand. Here we saw my partner's family and friends, and also exposed ourselves to the great nature of the country. New Zealand is called 'Aotearoa' in Maori language, which literally means 'Land of the long white cloud'. If you see the photo below, you would understand why they say so... Beautiful, isn't it?


We spent some time at my partner's sister's house in Christchurch, where we played with her little sons, who are very very energetic. It was funny to see my partner playing Sumo against the boy, quite seriously...lol. At his parents' house in Wellington, we had a small family party and I made sushi for the family. In New Zealand we can buy sea urchins,which are called 'kina' (this is Maori language as well) at super markets. In Japan sea urchins ('uni') are one of the most common sushi ingredients, so I was pleased to find them in NZ. I made salmon, prawns and sea urchin sushi, using the sushi-rolling machine that my partner's dad bought for me. It was very easy to use, considering such a lazy person like me could use it... ha ha ha. mmmmm....yummy.


We enjoyed walking around the city of Christchurch, the combination of old things and new features of which was stunning.

punting on the river Avon, Christchurch

tram in the city of Christchurch

the object at the art gallery in Christchurch

After spending some time with family and friends, we travelled to Abel Tasman National Park located in the north part of the south island. A Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand and Australia in 1643, and this national park was named after him. The area is full of local animals and plants, including Tui (bird), Silver Fern (NZ's national plant), seals, dolphins, and so on... The sea water is turquoise blue, the sky so clear... gosh, it was awesome.

couldn't see dolphins, but saw some seals around this area

There we did sea kayaking. It was my first time I tried it, but I think I did well... On the other hand my partner was struggling because the seat of the kayak was too small for him...

us, sea kayaking

Next day, in spite of the terrible storm, we went trekking in the jungle. Here we saw a Tui and lots of ferns. The weather was awful, the temperature was 3 or 4 degrees, the crosswinds hit us so hard... we walked shaking, soaked with rain... we looked just like drowned rats...! And can you guess how long we walked? The answer is... 17km! 6 hours!!! Please, say 'Well done'.

tree ferns. beautiful plant

it was bloooooody cold!!

the mystic landscape of Abel Tasman

Oops, I shouldn't forget about hot spring! We stopped at a spa on our way to Abel Tasman. This spa, Maruia Spring, is managed by a Japanese staff and the appearance of the outside pools are just like Japanese Onsen! I felt like as if I was a Japanese monkey in a hot spring... It was good... I remembered I was Japanese...ha ha ha. I strongly recommend this spa.

bath looking at mountains...

heaven...

So, we enjoyed both the cities and the nature in New Zealand. And this is the appealing point of this country I think. It takes only 1-2 hours from modern cities to the most beautiful land of nature. Not only because it's my boyfriend's home country, but because of so many amazing features I am fascinated by this land. It was my third time in this country, but I would love to visit here again and again, to know more about it. And I would love YOU to experience this wonderland as well...:)


この記事を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!

Holiday - Koh Samui

*
Long time no see. I was on holiday these three weeks. Yes, three weeks, long isn't it? We (my partner and I) decided to go on this holiday mainly because there was our friends' wedding in Koh Samui, Thailand. Then, we added some optional trips as well. We chose to travel around New Zealand (my partner's home country) and some South-East Asian countries. Eventually we travelled four different places; Koh Samui in Thailand, some cities and a national park in New Zealand, Borneo in Malaysia and Singapore.


I'd never been to any resort islands in Thailand before, and Koh Samui was the first. 'Koh' means 'island'. So in English it's 'Samui Island'. I thought this island was a a bit like an Asian version of Hawaii. The beaches have white sands and lots of coconut trees, hot winds blow, people are relaxing and sun-bathing, prices are more expensive compared to other places in Thailand (ha ha)... In addition, there are many Japanese tourists as well as those who are from Europe and Down Under.


Our friends' wedding was great. It was really really well-organised and everything was beautiful. The venue was set on a beach, the groom appeared with a little (but big, you know) elephant, Thai ladies danced, the wedding was held under the stunning sunset...Everything was so impressive. Of course, the bride was gorgeous! After the wedding we fed the elephant. It was also my first time to touch an elephant. The little big elephant was very hot. It was absolutely adorable. Then we danced under the stars, drinking Pina Colada in a whole pineapple, until midnight...

the wedding venue on the beach

Thai ladies' dance

the new couple

me touching the elephant!

We also went to see a Big Buddha next day. It's as big as Big Buddha in Kamakura, Japan, but the appearance is totally different. Well, they are different kind of Buddhas anyway though. I stupidly felt 'Ohhh... he looks like Thai...' ...ha ha ha, why not.

Big Buddha!

The last day in Koh Samui my partner got older. Unfortunately on his birthday we flew out to New Zealand via Bangkok and Singapore, so he spent his day mostly in the air plane and airports. Never mind, we were on holiday! Well, our first destination Koh Samui was like this. Guess what happened in the next destination New Zealand? Just read my next post... he he he;)



この記事を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!

Shakespeare's Globe

*

A few weeks ago my partner and I visited the Shakespeare's Globe in London. This theatre was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, and is still there in this 21st century, although it was re-constructed. In this theatre, Shakespeare's plays have been shown for over 400 years... can you believe it?

The building is located by the river Thames and it's nice to walk around the area. There are cafés, restaurants and of course, beautiful river view.



The building is mostly made of wood, as far as I remember, made of oak. This woody walls and pillars make me feel warm and comfortable. The theatre itself is quite small and round-shaped (amphitheatre). Apparently the capacity of this theatre is 3000 people, but looks much smaller in my eyes. At the both sides of the stage in the centre, there are 'VIP' boxes so to say, where rich spectators sit. These seats are in such a prominent place, because the prime purpose of the rich people sitting in these boxes is TO BE SEEN by other ordinary spectators, not to see the performance. They don't really want to or need to watch the stage, that's why the boxes are just next to the stage. They just want to show off themselves, implying 'We are so rich, gorgeous and powerful patrons!'



On the night we visited the theatre, there was a performance of 'Romeo and Juliet'. However, unfortunately the tickets were sold out and we missed the opportunity to watch the play. Hopefully next time... As we were looking around the theatre, the actors came out on the stage and started exercise. They were singing a part of some song, or just vocalising like 'Ahhhh, Ohhhh...'. I wondered which girl was Juliet and which boy was Romeo...



In the theatre there is an exhibition room as well. We can see a lot of tools and clothes used in the play. The dress of Elizabeth I was impressive!

My favourite Shakespeare's play is 'The Tempest'. Someday I want to watch it here in Shakespeare's Globe... But probably in summer... because it's an open-air amphitheatre, which means it'll be really really cold in winter!! ha ha.


この記事を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!

Who Killed the Nameless Bird?

Who killed the Nameless Bird?
His world is now so blurred,
looking at the sky,
without saying good-bye,
The Nameless Bird's death silently occurred.

Who killed the Nameless Bird?
His name was ever unheard.
Flies come to farewell,
'Here he is!' they yell,
but nobody knows the name of the Bird.

Who killed the Nameless Bird?
To his death, nobody referred.
'Who cares?' they say.
Only the summer breeze may pray.
But never known; Who killed the Nameless Bird.

*

A few days ago I found him in my little garden and felt a bit sad.

Does anyone know the name of this bird?

この詩を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!

Origami Jewellery

*
I guess most women, without excepting myself, like jewellery and accessories. I especially love wearing earrings and rings. A few weeks ago I found a very cute jewellery shop online, which is managed by one of my favourite bloggers, Satoko.

The most distinctive feature of her jewellery is they are made of Origami. As you know, origami is Japanese traditional paper craft works, which may be called art, but even small children can enjoy it. Using colourful papers we can create a variety of shapes, such as flowers and animals. Satoko has combined this very traditional Japanese origami with quite modern and fashionable accessories. In the online shop, we can find many colourful earrings attached to delicately crafted origami. Butterflies, flowers, cranes, other birds and stars... For some accessories Swarovski crystal are used as well. The marriage of tradition and fashion is loveable. Each origami is varnished and made strong enough to wear as an accessory. I ordered Maccha (green tea) coloured butterfly earrings, which I absolutely love!

my photo is a bit blurred... just have a look at Satoko's website!

The little box that the earrings are in is lovely too. I think these are perfect gifts for friends and family of all ages, especially for someone who loves Japanese things, or some unique things. The jewellery go well with a casual dress, semi-formal dress, and of course kimono.

The shop is called 'Satoko's Origami'. It's worth having a look. The shop is based in the UK, but you can purchase the jewellery from outside of the UK as well. Click the banner below to go to the shop.


I hope you like her works as well:)



この記事を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!

I can live here...

*
Today I just let you know that I gained my permanent residency in the UK! Since I had moved to this country as a student four years ago I'd always been worrying about visa. It was quite a stressful task to prepare for extending my visa every time it expired. But now I don't need to worry about it any more. I can live here as long as I want to, I can travel around and can come back to this country. Fantastic! Mind you, my nationality is still Japanese and my heart is Japanese as well...he he he. Anyway, I'll enjoy my life here, yay!


この記事を日本語で読む

Vote (click here) for me if you like my blog!