Hello? Japan? Antarctica called and it wants its freezing weather back

So, I'm just sitting here, in my house, wondering how I am going to survive this winter without getting frostbite. As you do!

Seriously, Oita is getting damn cold! Right now it's 11 degrees Celcius. Ok, that's not so cold. But I feel the cold bad! Sydney at 18 degrees makes me shiver.

Given that all the old JETs here say that this is only the beginning- that it's going to get substantially colder- I am fearing for my livelihood! The wind even makes scary "woooooo woooooo" noises! (no joke!)

I guess it is not helping when my craving and eating of icecream has dramatically increased the colder it gets... Come on, brain, THINK PROPERLY!!

I have prepared by wearing my new down jacket constantly, wearing 4 layers underneath (2 thermal tops most times!), a beanie, scarf and ear muffs (I bought them as a joke, and the probably look ridiculous, but dammit- they work so well!). I am also sleeping snuggled up to the cutest hot water bottle ever (thanks Micky!) and the fluffiest and comfiest winter socks ever (thanks Mads!). And drinking copious amounts of tea (By the way, I HAVE DRANK OVER 200 milk teas since I have been here. Someone call Teadrinkaholics Anonymous!)

Especially as I bike around 35 minutes to and from school, it is important that I'm protected from head to toe!!

So wish me luck on my endeavours to stay warm. And don't tell me to stop eating ice cream. I'd rather freeze to death. (Then they could make a sequel to that movie "He died with a fallafel in his hand"- "She died with an ice block in her hand").

Oyasumi! (good night!)

Age of Aquariams

Today we finally made it to the aquarium. One word: Wow.

(Ha, if only I could keep these blog entries to one word. I can't (obviously- it is me after all!), so I shall continue with many more words...)

The aquarium is one of Oita's main attractions, and I can definitely see why! It goes by the name of "Umitamago"- literally "Sea Egg" (I still don't know why!).

Now, I have been to aquariums in the past- but this was just something else! All the creatures were so breathtakingly fascinating... I could stare at each one for hours and not get bored.

We saw sharks, countless types of fish, eels, dolphins, walruses,  stingrays, jelly fish and more. I have got to say, the walruses, dolphins, eels and jellyfish were my favourites!

The selection of sea creatures was amazing, and the whole structure of the place was wonderful. It's designed so that it feels like you are underwater with the creatures. It really did feel like we were right beside them. We could see all the details of their bodies- every line, crevasse, fold and spot. It sounds stupid, but it made me appreciate how similar we are to them in many ways.

Just watching the jellyfish flounce from one area to another, or the tops of the eels fluttering so gracefully in the water, or the walruses perform perfect tricks like bowing, laughing, pretend fainting, it seemed almost unbelievable that they were real.

Take a look!

Amazing dolphin show.

Beautiful jellyfish

It's JAWS!

Never would I think sardines were so brilliant!

Only in Japan would they deck out the crab's house

I have no words to describe how incredible these eels were to look at!

Being brave and holding a sea slug!

Seals!

Wow, these eels were just mindblowing

I. can. hold. a. sea. slug. Yes, I can!

Ahh, get a room!

Kids admiring the view of countless sardines!

Is that you, Michael Jordon?

Walrus!

"Paint me like one of your French girls"

PENGUINS!!!

Trying my best to swim with the fishies.

Let's just hop on a train and go!

Hey friends!

So I'm going to update in "real-time" so to speak. By this, I mean, actually update you with what's happening with my life NOW. A very new and exciting concept! Only 4 easy payments of $89.97, and I'll throw in a Snuggie if you pay within the next 24 hours with your credit card.

Haha. So I think I will just keep (confusingly) alternating between what's happening now, and recapping on my life lived here in the hoods of Oita from the beginning.

So, yesterday was a public holiday! I don't even know what it was for- most probably for something of little significance (ala, "Sports Day" public holiday a couple of months ago).

After having a blast doing grown up things like cleaning my house and sorting out bills etc, I met up with Chris to go to the aquarium for the first time. But alas! Our aquarium trip was not to be had, as we weren't too good with our timing.

"Ahhh, what are we going to do now?!"

The question of the moment.

"Let's just choose a station, and go!" (Me of course).

So that's how we ended up spending the day in Kanagawa. This is not a notable place to visit in any way. No apparent attractions to be seen. BUT, fortunately, we stumbled on the most beautiful view of the ocean.

So we just spent a lazy (very late) afternoon lapping up the beautiful view, drinking cocktails out of cans, snacking on delicious chocolate cakey-cookie things while listening to a very awesome mix of Bob Dylan, Otis Redding and Gurrumul (Australia represent!).

It was just so relaxing. I felt so at peace. 

Therefore, I impart the following advice: If you're lost for something to do, just go somewhere. You can find something of beauty hidden anywhere if you look!

A little piece of paradise

Not sure what these boulders were... or whether we were allowed to sit on them!