Part 1 - Walking to school

This morning, I did the unthinkable; I actually walked to school from home. It's been something that I told myself I would do at least once during my stay here, and it was quite unexpected, but I decided to walk this morning.

Sometimes, I think I am crazy. I do things so impromptu. Walking to school really isn't so hard, for I have walked home from school numerous times before. It is the morning, when it is cold and my muscles aren't ready for the slopes that make the walk hard, but haha, crazy me decided to 'just do it'.

So I probably looked like an alien to the many Japanese who walked past me. I had a white windbreaker on, my backpack, a big Christmas paperbag filled with chocolates to give to some of my male colleagues (Friendship Day Choco), black gloves, my Nike shades, and my MP3 player.

Along the way, I huffed and puffed, but it gradually got better. Listening to Delirious certainly made everything seemed brighter, and I could appreciate the beauty of the morning. Saw some kindergarten girls and they greeted me with a very genki 'Ohayo gozaimasu'! I walked beside the railway tracks, and many trains passed me by. Saw many elderly out with the dogs or taking an early morning walk. And as I continued walking, with my muscles slowly getting in synch with my brain, I felt better! And then I passed by the パン屋 (Pan-ya=Confectionary shop / Bakery)... and wow... the fragrance of freshly-baked bread... so tantalizing and so inviting. :) Resisted the urge to buy, cos I already had some biscuits for breakfast with me!

And then, I reached Kita-Suzurandai station, and that marks the last lap to the school. I take this same route everyday from Kita-Suzu to Kouhoku and the hardest part about this is the very very last part, where you have to climb up a long flight of stairs, followed by a final upslope... Every morning, when I walk this route with Amasaki-san (She's the school admin officer and I usually see her on the same train daily), I always think that the Japanese are so fit and I always tell her I am so 疲れた (tsukareta=tired)!

Anyway, I reached school about 8.20am, and was perspiring and really 疲れた! I felt happy though. :) What a different way to start my week... (Well, yesterday was another public holiday here, so no school for me! keke.)


Part 2 - Akashi Outing

昨日　休みだから　のんびり過ごした。　朝ごはんを自分で作って　ピッザパンとバナナとコーヒーとMeiji チョコのおやつと烏龍茶を食べた。おおいしいいいい。

その後Ziweiと話した。Ziwei-さん　卒業のために　がんばってね！いっぱい話して　とてもうれしかった。

予定はないから　昼は安保先生と一緒に明石のｇｙｍへ初めて行った。このｇｙｍは埋立地に建設されるから　海も見える。走るながら　海も見える感じは　とても懐かしいね。シンガポールのEast Coast ParkでE151と一緒に過ごした時間が思い出した。Ｇｙｍから明石橋もよく見える　眺めはきれいです。
運動が終わったら　本当に爽快感がある！

Ok, so I went to the gym yesterday with Anpo sensei because it was a public holiday and there was no school. This is the Akashi Axtos gym and it's just beside the sea, built on reclaimed land. From the treadmill, I could see Akashi bridge, and couples and families on the beach. Well, it was a very different view for me, and I enjoyed the session very much. Also, Akashi wasn't cold at all. For a moment, how I wished I lived at Akashi instead of Suzurandai! :) Yeah, anyway, after exercising, I felt really refreshed! Thank you for inviting me Anpo sensei.















This is the view from the front of the gym. I thought it looked quite pretty. There are many family restaurants along the road, as well as newly-built residences.





















Taken at dusk, a picture of yours truly. :)
















That is Akashi Bridge behind me. This bridge links Awaji Island to the main land and Awaji Island is about the same size as Singapore. I must go there one day.
















安保先生！