Exams and a Change of Plans

In further explanation to the lack of updates is the exam period. I'm currently halfway through, with Management, Listening, and Technical down and Kanji, Writing and Speaking to go. Not looking forward to writing, 3 pages on the problems of intercultural marriage in Nihongonese? Fun. Still, maybe easier then explaining a graph without understanding the title, contents and context as it was in my Technical exam.

Also the 2nd of my 2 course works from Cardiff, the 1st being an already submitted translation and summary, has been uploaded. It's a book review in preparation for my dissertation next year, so that's my birthday present decided. Speaking of my birthday, and the month of March, my travel plans were in question due to financial strain, and have since been cancelled. I'll see a few local sights instead of the planned Nagasaki, Fukouka, Kita Kyushu, Hiroshima etc in order to save money. However without travelling the money I do have can be reinvested and clothes, gym membership and more Whiskey is the order of the day.

In unrelated news my flatmate will, from the 1st of March, not be the forementioned German but an equally exciting prospect in the form of an attractive French lady, Lilly. Combined with gym, revision and general Japan-ing, local trips with her and her friends from home make up the itinerary for the rest of February's and March.

Anyway I thought it was high time I took some pictures of my neighbourhood, so I'll leave this update here with said pictures. Also from next post onwards I will be posting in both English, then a simplified Japanese version in order to get a bit of practice. For those unable to see the inevitable vocab and grammar errors, it will also serve as a bit of showing off. Harmless.

My local "Conbini", Lawson. Millions of these all over Japan and are somewhere between British supermarkets and corner shops. Sign reads "Alcohol - Cigarettes".

Some of the microwavable meals I feast on daily. Mainly rice based with some sort of meat or fish. Reasonably priced and much better then any microwavable alternatives in Britain.

Junction at the end of my road

View from my bedroom.

Same junction as before.

One of the central nightlife, and well, daylife streets in central Sannomiya, my part of Kobe. Mainly Karaoke bars and small restaurants and drinking holes.


Some of the buildings around the infamous Paiyama, seen in the bottom left hand corner.

"Trust me Tommy, It will only run in Japan" Advertisement for BOSS Coffee on one of the many local vending machines.

My front door. Sign reads "Yodoya Building"

My bedroom and Japanese style bed

Ticket machines in my local station, Y180 a pop (£1.20) one way to uni.

A Chikatestu, underground, station entrance with the impressive Japan Rail terminal building in the background. I use the Hankyu line just opposite.

And finally a reverse view of the previous Paiyama shot. My house is just up the middle road between the buildings and to the right, in case your in town.