So one of my goals for the new year was to get healthier.

Well, for the first few months I didn`t work to hard at the goal, so nothing really changed.

But recently I have been making major changes to my life. I am eating healthier and working out regularly. I even have an exercise buddy that I meet up with a few times a week.  And now I am starting to see the results.

In two weeks I have lost 5 kilograms! I am so happy! ^o^

It isn`t easy. There are many days when I am shopping and the cakes look more delicious than the fresh fruit. But I have to stay strong!  Hopefully I can keep up the hard work.

If anyone ever wants to exercise with me, just let me know. ^_-

I watched two more movies this past weekend. One was called Eastern Promises (2007). It stars Naomi Watts and Viggo Mortenson. It`s about a Russian gang in London and an orphan baby girl. It was kind of violent and disturbing, but a little interesting.

The other movie was Rope (1948) by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Jimmy Stewart. It`s about two friends who kill their friend and try to keep it a secret. The movie was a play before Hitchcock made it, and it feels like it. It is pretty much just a filmed play. I had wanted to see it for a long time because the plot seemed very unique and I like Hitchcock`s films. It was very interesting, and I`m glad I saw it.

Both films were about criminals. Next, I want to watch a comedy!

Yesterday, Michael and I went to lunch with some volunteers from one of the schools he used to work at. We went to a pasta restuarant in Ouchi called Pasta No Pooh-San. It is a nice place with pasta, pizza, coffee and even cakes. I had a linguini pasta with salmon and cream sauce. For dessert we shared a slice of blueberry and white chocolate cake with coffee. Everything was so delicious!

There are many decorations in Pasta No Pooh-San, but I couldn`t see any Pooh-Sans! I thought it was very strange. I wondered why the owner named the place after Pooh-San and didn`t even have any Winnie the Pooh decorations. Finally, I found a small plate with Pooh on it. I was so surprised!

On Sunday, I hung out with my friend from Yamaguchi. She`s an ALT for Junior High schools, and our schedules are very different, so we hardly ever spend time together. I was happy to see her again. We had a good time, too. She drove us to Onoda, and we went to the shopping center called Sun Park.

This was my first time in Onoda. I wanted to go for a long time, but never got the chance until now. It is so nice in Sun Park! I didn`t buy much in the the clothing or shoe shops, but then I went to Jupiter. Jupiter is a imported goods store. I had a lot of fun looking at all the food they sell there from America, Europe, and other parts of Asia. I bought many things. I should`ve gone to Jupiter a long time ago!

Ah, what a rainy Tuesday.  But at least the weekend was nice. 

How did you spend the weekend? Hopefully you got out and enjoyed the good weather. Rainy season will be here before we know it.

I had a very nice weekend. Saturday I went to dinner and karaoke with my friends. Most places in Yuda were pretty busy this weekend, so it was a little inconvenient but we still had fun. ^^

Sunday was the highlight of the weekend. My friends and I went to another Renofa home game. This time it was held at the rugby field, but I prefer that field better. The view is nicer, and we can interact with the other fans more.

Both teams worked hard, and surprisingly the game ended in a tie. I was a little disappointed but better luck next time. ^_-   It was still an exciting game.

And of course Monday was my Japanese class. With how often I talk about going to class on this blog, you would think my Japanese is very good, but it isn’t. T^T  I always forget what I learned the week before. >.<

I hope everyone has a great day today, and don’t let the rain bring you down! ^-^

Before Golden Week, I watched a movie called The Men Who Stare At Goats. It was made in 2009 and stars George Clooney and Ewan McGregor. It’s a story about a journalist who hears about American soldiers with psychic powers. He goes to investigate. It’s all set during the Iraq War, and is based on true events. I thought it was pretty interesting.

For Golden Week, I went to Thailand. Last year, I got sick during Golden Week and never even left Yamaguchi. So this year I wanted to do something really special.

I spent five days and five nights in Thailand. I went to a small island called Koh Samed for a couple of days, and then spent the last part of my trip in Bangkok. I did many things and met many people. I ate delicious and spicy Thai food. I went swimming in the warm, beautiful sea. I even got an hour long traditional Thai massage for only 300 Baht (about 770 Yen)! And I met people from all over the world.

This was my first time traveling by myself. Before the trip, I was very nervous, but it was okay. It’s very easy to travel in Thailand, and I was very safe. Of course, Thailand is a very poor place, and I saw very dirty areas. Not all people are nice and honest. Also, it’s very easy to get sick in Thailand because the water isn’t very clean. Overall, though, I had a great time; I even want to go back someday. But I did miss Japan. I’m glad to be back.

Oh no! Zombies!

I’ve been watching a lot of zombie things recently. First, I saw a movie called Zombieland a few weeks ago. Recently, I have been watching an American show called The Walking Dead (2010), and the other night, I saw a movie called 28 Days Later (2002). They are actually very similar in plot, but one is a TV show set in Alabama, USA, and the other is a movie set in England. They both start with a man who wakes up in a hospital and discovers that the world is very different. People have changed.

The idea is really interesting. I like the movie better; it’s scarier, better acted, and more interesting.

Hello everyone!

How was your Golden Week? I hope you had time to rest and relax. Did you study during your holiday? ^_-

My Golden Week was nice, but I didn’t do anything special. I spent most of the holiday, cleaning, exercising, and meeting up with my friends.  The most exciting thing for me was going to the Renofa game at Ishin stadium. 

Although I have been to the stadium a few times, it was my first time stepping inside. It is very impressive. The seats were nice, the view was good, and the new score board was very helpful during the game.

The game itself was very exciting. Both teams played very hard, and there were many moments when the fans were left speechless. But luckily Renofa won at the end. \^o^/

Hopefully my next vacation will be more exciting, but I had a lot of fun last week so I am happy. I can’t wait to hear all about your holidays!!

Tonight, I went home and discovered a small green frog sitting on my kitchen window outside. I was watching it when it suddenly jumped off the window onto the ground. Then I put my hand near it and it jumped into my hand! It sat in my hand for a moment, and then jumped down to the ground again. I was so happy! I love these little frogs near my apartment. They’re so cute!