Friday, August 11, 2006

In Kobe

Dear friends, I am in Kobe right now, sitting in front of my desk in school. It's been rather difficult to get online ever since I got to Kobe, so finally...

Today is Friday, which means it's almost a week since I got here. I've been busy this whole week, especially after I arrived here in Kobe. It's been quite an eventful week, but that's good. I am kept busy by all the administrative work and it's only late at night that I would be back at my apartment.

I know many of you want to look at pictures... heez, but it'll have to be some time later! I have yet to get my own internet access.. n it'll take some time for me to get connected. That's really really difficult for me. Thank God this morning when we arrived at school, we were told that we could get online.

Well, this post is getting all over the place, but here are just some general updates.

トマス (Tom - Thomas Pontefract)
I am working with Tom, who is from England. He's sitting beside me now, on the internet too! We were like 2 ravenous wolves.. online all the way... tap-tapping all the way, from morn till now. It's very nice to have one more person here with me.. cos it's hard to always make an effort to conscientiously listen and speak in Japanese. At least with him, I could speak English!

Well, we have to do up a website that talks about the cultural, education, etc of our home countries. That will be fun! I think I will go back knowing so much more about Singapore!

天気 (Tenki - Weather)
The weather is really really really blistering here. HOT HOT HOT! And what's more amazing is that the students play sports out here in the afternoon! They are used to it I guess. Tom and I looked at each other when we heard that n thought that they were crazy?!

日本語 (Nihongo - Japanese Language)
In Japan here, people seldom speak English. Most people have mastered the set phrases, but none could hold a conversation really well. This means it's actually a good challenge for me. It keeps me on my toes! I have to constantly practice. I really pray that God will help me and bring to my remembrance all the different words and sentence structures. I guess I also have to study very hard if I want to improve!

アパート (Aparto - Apartment)
My apartment is quite roomy. It's really very warm in it! I have to climb up 5 levels to reach my apartment and on the very first day I arrived, Watanabe Sensei and Kacho Sensei (The Principal) went with me to my house.... n guess wat.... They had to carry my 2 terribly terribly HUGE pieces of luggage up the stairs for me. I really really felt very glad that they were there, else I would be stuck! Keez, also, can u imagine the Principal carrying my luggage for me? :-}

感想 (Kansou - Emotions)
Haha, anyway, I'm getting on fine here. Leaving the airport and all my loved ones was very very very difficult. I shan't even dwell on it here cos I may just cry here in this staff room! Reading blogs also make me very emotional. :) I read Xiaowei's and Stefan's entries.. n kinda teared a little. It's amazing how powerful words can be. Also, some emails were very touching. As I read them, I can't help but thank God for the people in my life. My family members, my cell group, friends, students (especially those who have become very dear to me), and Steve... I couldn't have done it without my cell group members... I really couldn't. They made it possible for me... their prayers and their love for me. I will miss all of you very very much.. (Heez, I am getting EMO again...)

I thoroughly appreciate those who came to see me off.. n those who wanted to come but couldn't. I've replied plenty of emails, and I shall keep this blog updated as best as I can so that I could talk to everyone at the same time. :) I also just wanna say to all BNSS students, esp 5D and 4I, to work hard. GANBATTE KUDASAI!!!!!

2 comments:

Fleur De La Lune said...

Dear Xiangcen, a lot of people are missing you.... i am looking forward to you coming back..... thru' this departure.... all of us can't help but think how precious you are to all of us.... take care while you're over there.... i will pray for you tonight :o)

Anonymous said...

ENJOY yourself and keep us update of the happenings.