Great North Run

I'm going to be running the Great North Run on SEPTEMBER 18th in aid of AGAINST BREAST CANCER.  If you would like to sponsor me please go to www.justgiving.com/sarahjanerunning

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Currently Listening Green Green Grass of Home By Tom Jones see related

Rule Brittania.......

God it's sooooo long since I posted....I have to change my Xanga settings and everything because ALOT has change in my life recently.

I travelled in tip top fashion back to old Angleterre on Virgin PREMIUM economy (far too excited) on the 20th of August.  The Nakanishis, Sal, Mel, Amy, MAyu and three of my teachers came to see me off at the airport where I FINALLY broke and blubbed blubbed blubbed.  I think the air hostess must have thought I was afraid of flying or something because she kept coming and asking if I was ok, if there was anything she could get for me etc etc.  Mikio, one of my Choshi night class students also came rushing up to me as I was about to walk through the gate.  BIG surprise bless him. 

Finally calmed myself down and watched Million Dollar Baby....error.  Had to turn it off before the end.  anyhoo....

Fiona met me at Heathrow and I spent a lovely few days in London catching up with all my friends, visiting Stonehenge (not in London!!) and taking a trip down the Thames and on the London Eye which was muchos funos.  Do I want to move to that terrible, exciting, addictive, speeding, dirty, seductive, inspiring city afterall?  We'll see......

Came back to Durham last Wednesday.  It's all very strange.  I don't miss Japan yet, although talking to mel and Amy on the phone makes me miss them but not Japan yet.  And I appreciate that it's going to take me a while to settle in so I'm not feeling panicked yet.  Yet.

My bedroom had shrunk since I was last here, I'm certain of it.  I miss the space I had in Japan.  Once I get a job though I won't be here much.  I just have to get stuff sorted out and I'll be fine.  I'm loving the fact that I'm so close to my home peeps.  I can have a cuppa with my mum WHENEVER I like!!!!  I can talk to her whenever.  I can go and talk to her now if I want.  Right now.  I don't have to look at the clock and think "What time is it there?" (Peter Kay style)  That's lovely.

The thing is, I have to do that in the other direction now.  I love meeting friends from all over the world but it's a bugger when you have to leave.  But hey ho, it just means I'll be having some killer vacations in the future.  Did I ever say "vacation" before I went to Japan?  I might as well just go and watch a "movie"....

Woooohooooo I'M IN CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having wicked time.  Met Fi at airport with her Chinese friend and headed into Shanghai.  The hotels are fantastic.  Exactly like the one Sally and I 'splashed out' on in Bangkok.  Every night clean sheets, comfy pillows, sparkling bathroom.  Never been on a trip like it.  Luxury!

Went out in Shanghai the first night to some great bars.  The next day wandered around old Shanghai and ate dumplings in the place they originated from.  Took taxis everywhere!  People in shops wear number badges instead of name badges.  Went to one of the markets.  Then on the evening met up with the intrepid group - all GIRLS except for one 18 year old boy travelling with his mum and the group leader.  TYPICAL hey!!!!  ha ha ha ha oh well, hey ho.  Everyone is lovely.

Went to the Shanghai museum on Sunday morning and then in the afternoon took a cab out to where Fi's family friends have just bought an apartment.  Took some pics.  BROKE my flip flops!  Took another cab to market where I was fleeced because people could see that I desperately needed the shoes.  Ended up buying a black pair which hurt and so bought another pair yesterday for quarter of price.  V comfy yes yes.

Went to the bund and got pictures taken of us and asked to pose in other people's pics.  Felt like celebrity.

Came to Nanjing yesterday.  Went to Sun Yatsen's Mausoleum this morning.  Power walked the steps, sweated like a biffa but felt v good.  Ate vegetarian food for lunch at the temple. 

Last night went out for some bevvies with the group.  Huang (group leader) taught us a great Chinese drinking game.  I'll teach you all!  Lots of fun, got some right characters in the group!

Loving the scran, weather BOILING, company is spot on!  Having wicked time and so good to see Fi, feels like I sa her a week ago not a year ago!

China!!!!!!!!!!!  Yeeeeeeeehhhhhhaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, this will be my last blog for a while because I have to give up this computer and my wonderful yahooBB.  Whatever will I do with my time?

Oh my God, this computer is SSOOOOOO annoying so this won't be long.  Went to Mobara Matsuri on Saturday which was ace but the earthquake meant that Ange and I were stuck on the platform of Oami station for three hours waiting for the train!!!!  Never had to wait for a late train in Japan before so it was quite an experience!!!  And it didn't really feel like three hours - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be stuck on a train platform waiting for a train with!  Thanks for the music and giggles Ange!

We were both dressed in Yukata which was great fun and hanging out with Adam and Gavin, my great boys for the last two years was awesome.  I'll write more when I get on a better computer.  Ange is going to upload the photos on her Xanga so if you want to see them go to www.xanga.com/angiemarieg

I had my English Teachers leaving enkai tonight.  I'm so crap with men.  THe teacher who I've lusted after for the past two years was there and I couldn't even speak to him.  Where the hell is my self-confidence????  I can't even speak bloody French to French people even though I have a bloody degree in the subject!!!  Frederic aide-moi s'il te plait!!!!  Mon Francais est devenu la bordelle a cause du fait que JE LE NE PRATIQUE JAMAIS!!!!!!!  Meme quand il y a quel qu'un avec qui je pourrais bien parler, je n'ose pas!  C'est de la merde!  L'annee prochaine je dois aller en France pour me souvenir pour quoi je veux devenir prof d'une langue que je n'ose pas parler!!!!!  Et comment je peux critiquer des profs japonais???  Au moins ils essayent a parler.  Putain putain putain!!!!  OK, now I've got that off my chest.....

It's off to China on FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wooohooooooooo!!!!!!  Soooooo, I'll have lots to update when I get back to England!  In fact, maybe I'll try to blog in China.  Have a great summer everyone yeeeeehaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!