Is it just me, or did it suddenly get slightly cold?
I don't know about you guys, but my flat constantly has the air conditioned heating on, the winter coat has made it's way out of the wardrobe and if I'm not wearing at least three layers I'm underdressed...

Now if only it would snow ... then the weather being this cold would actually make some sense~

Well it's coming up to Christmas, and I'm determinedly decorating my flat with tinsel and festive thingy-ma-bobs so it's delightfully colourful. For the cute, fun factor, Japan has Christmas down to a T... but the Japanese seem to have not quite understood the concept of Christmas in the sense that the shops will all be open as normal on the day and in fact the climax of Christmas here is Christmas eve...

There'll be no atrociously early wake up call with my little brother running into my room screaming something about a man having come down the chimney in the night this year. Nor will there be the gigantic feast of a meal or tacky paper crowns... nope, a pretty surreal Christmas is on it's way.

I'll be throwing a Christmas party for my Japanese friends on Christmas eve since I believe very few of them even know what a fruit cake is, let alone having actually tried one! Should be a good evening - I managed to find a Christmas CD whilst shopping today for only 100yen and it has all the classics on, and bought reindeer antlers for snapshot mania!

But steering away from Christmas, I'm looking forward to a traditional Japanese New Year. I'll wake up to this New Year with a visit to a Shrine or Temple of sorts, followed by a million and one greetings to congratulate people on having made it through another year and traditional Japanese delicacies. Apparently there's lots of traditions for New Years Eve too but I'm not sure what they are... so I'll have to let you guys know another time!

With any luck during the holiday season, I'll be visiting Onsen with friends, and taking a trip to the Wakayama prefecture which should leave many a photo oppurtunity~ As promised I've been uploading my autumn pictures. I'll now hopefully start taking some festive snaps for all to see. Once again, I'll ask if there are any specific requests, and I'll have a go at taking something decent!

A Merry Christmas to All of you, and a Happy New Year.
xxIzzyxx

I know, how original

Hello to one and all!! I'm sorry for having neglected you all so long, but I am indeed now in Japan and having an amazing time. I will warn people do not come to Japan expecting to be able to do anything without help - everything is quite vastly different here... but I think that's all part of the fun. The food is great, the people have all been so lovely so far (although another thing is you KNOW you are a foreigner in Japan) and of course the views are spectacular.

I do a lot of local travelling at the moment - nothing beyond a couple of hours were I live but it happens just about every week! I went to Amanohashidate last weekend (it's the most beautiful cultural heritage site, close to Kyoto in Japan - Wikipedia it) and I'm off to Himeji this weekend and Osaka next week. I'm hoping to travel further afield once the holidays begin - this is where possible Tokyo, Hokkaido, Okinawa or even Korea and China shots might come! It's all stuff up in the air at the moment, and it would be very expensive to do them all... but here's hoping!

Otherwise I'm making loads of new friends - quite a few of them being my Senpai's friends as well (a.k.a awesome guy who makes Izzy stupidly happy...) I'm going out quite a few times a week now... and become slightly more wreckless with my money. This might actually be a good thing - I think I was too paranoid last year. I also have a lovely host mother who takes me out on weekend trips (a.k.a Himeji), and if I ever need some English support, it's nice to know one of my best friends is only a train ride as well (which in Japan feels so much more accessible than it would back in the UK).

There is something about Japan's natural beauty - or if we think about their gardens, perhaps their way of controlling beauty. I hope it's starting to come out in the few pictures I've uploaded - I'm now really trying hard to think what the meaning behind my shots are rather than just going for something pretty. XD Although I still love my flower shots!

I'm really hoping I'll be able to catch some great seasonal shots since they mean so much to the Japanese. I already feel like my Autumn shots are well on the way with the changing leaves and Momiji being quite central to the Japanese at this time of the year.

Here's a question though - is there anything people wanted to particular see a capture of? If you have any requests of what you'd like to see whilst I'm in Japan do send me a note, a comment or whatever and I'll do my best!!

With that being quite a long journal entry, I think I shall love you and leave you all to go actually do some Kanji work (¬_¬ ) yeah... unfortunately there's still the academic side to achieve...

Well, the time is rapidly approaching when I shall be leaving England to frolick in the land of sushi and ninjas as part of my studies. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm off on my year abroad to Japan! Apart from lacking a suitcase large enough for my requirements (something which shall be rectified tomorrow with any luck) I have everything down to toothpaste ready for my travels! (Warning: Japanese toothpaste is not good! )

Just a quick update as to what has been happening up until this moment. I spent six weeks in France moving between my summer job and discovering a France I had never yet really discovered. The majority of the pictures i uploaded this summer where from there.

Upon returning, of course the summer didn't stop. Since my return I have been (in order) to Doncaster and Hull on shopping sprees , to Chester for my Auntie's wedding , to London to fetch my Visa for Japan (and spend some time with awesome guy... was slightly stupidly happy...), and then to a mix of Newcastle, Durham and London for practices and then the actual Proms!! I sung the Messiah in the Royal Albert Hall in a choir of 301 (Proms 68 for those who go look on iplayer quickly!!)

At which, I might add, I met Mr Stephen Fry! God, that man is cool!

Which brings me to roughly now - with my final days in England moving swiftly, I'll soon be uploading pictures from Japan. I hope you guys a ready for an oriental ride!

Much love to all!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Can you take this without deleting or fibbing on any questions?
Lol hit me with your best shot!

What's going on between you and the person you love?
Well I'm off to Japan for a year and he's not... sucks a tad...

Does anything hurt on your body?
No not particularly at the moment

Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?
... what does deep count as? Serious or just long... probably Loulou

What are you listening to right now?
Flightless Bird from the Twilight OST

Where were you at 2:00 this morning?
This really feels like a question Loobie shoved in here because it feels too accurate Personally, I was asleep!

What's the cd in your player?
Nothing at the moment - the beauty of media player on the computer!

Anything annoying you right now?
Not especially... little things but nothing that makes me want to rant too much ^^

What was the best thing that happened today?
Um... I packed for France??

What can't you wait for?
France, Proms, Japan, and seeing some wonderful people ^^

Is this the best year of your life?
It's high on the list

How much milk do you put in your cereal bowl?
Only enough to wet the cereals... can't stand milk >.<

When there are questions missing in surveys, do you come up with new ones?
Why the hell would I do that - you're already asking enough questions as it is without me making up anymore!

Who pissed you off today?
Ahh today has been free of annoying people ^^

Do you think you've ruined your chances with someone?
Is this like have I ever done this? Sure I have...

Are you good at hiding your feelings?
I am until people directly ask me questions related to my feelings - I'm good at staying quiet but not lying!

Have you ever cried from being so mad?
Probably at some point, but I don't cry very often so I would need to be seriously p****d off!

Have you ever made someone laugh when they were crying?
Totally, I'm a scream

What is something you currently want right now?
To see a certain someone, to not have debts or worries about money in general, to pass my exams rather spectacularly, to suddenly become a singer!

How are you feeling?
Pretty awesome - I'm headed to France in 6 hours? Gonna be in a bit of a zombie mood when I wake up though!

Have you ever been punched by the opposite sex?
They punch me, they die

Have you ever gotten in a drunken fight? Thankfully no

What was the first thing you did when you woke up?
Turn around and go to sleep again

Who knows you the best?
Loobie, followed by Loulou and maybe Marcus

If your sinificant other asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say?
"You're really drunk right now, aren't you"

Did you get a full 8 hours of sleep last night?
There abouts

Has a boy/girl put their arm around you in the past five days?
In what sense? A friendly way, then yes.

Would you like to put last night on repeat, and live it forever?
Not particularly, as much as I love my loulou ^^ But repeating the same thing forever would lead to a rather uneventful life, wouldn't it?

What was your worst mistake in your life?
I don't really think there is such a thing as worst mistake - all mistakes help us to grow and become better people...

Does anyone hate you?
I'd like to think no-one does at this precise moment, but I'm sure people have disliked me in the past and I could just be delusional right now!

Ever been to the house of the opposite sex when no one was home?
You make this sound like one of the biggest crimes in the world!

Who was the last person to disappoint you?
I honestly don't remember - truly honestly can't think

Have you ever punched a hole in the wall?
As if I have that much strength in my whole body, let alone my hand!

Wheres the weirdest place you've changed clothes?
I don't think any place has been particularly weird... have i ever changed in a car before?

Anyone annoying you right now?
You asked me this earlier so now it would be you!

Anybody you're looking forward to seeing soon?
Yup!

Is there a friend particularly that you miss?
and another Yup

What will you be doing in a half hour?
Hopefully trying to get to sleep in bed

Anywhere you'd rather be right now?
France (soon to be realised), Japan, with a certain someone.

Are you going anywhere for the summer?
Stupid question

Do you have plans tomorrow?
Getting on a plane at 6:40am

Do you have plans for this weekend?
Whatever my grandparents have decided on!

Are you waiting for anyone to call you right now?
It'd be a bit late now

Whats a fact about the last person to have arms around you?
Um... she's a languages freak like me!!

What are your chances of getting with your crush?
Let's find out when I get back from my year abroad shall we?

When was the last time you were told you were amazing?
Recently, couldn't put an exact time on it

Could you go a day without eating?
I'd feel absolutely crap at the end, but keep me going with OJ and smoothies and I might make it.

Do you know anyone that smokes weed?
I'm a uni student - duh

Have you ever kissed anyone whose name started with a R?
Must I be reminded of the Richard phases?

How long does it take you to shower?
About 10 minutes?

Does the last person you shared a bed with mean anything to you?
I believe that's Loobie and she's my sister, so I think that already says everything!

Are you slowly drifting away from someone?
Yes, it's quite sad really...

What girl and boy can you tell everything to?
Without saying Loobie again, Loulou for girls and Marcus for boys.

When a friend walks out of your life, do you go after them or let them go?
Well, what's the situation - I probably wouldn't give up on them straight away though

Have you ever fallen asleep in someones arms?
Yes

Who do you call when you're having a bad day?
My parents lol ^^ Marcus or Lou - but I don't have bad days very often!

What are you looking forward to most?
Japan, definitely!

Did you have an exciting last weekend?
Well, it was very enjoyable and eventful, but I don't know if village fairs and open gardens are exciting!

Have you dated anyone on your top 4?
Top four doesn't exist on here!

Where is the person you like right now?
Somewhere in Kent for now

Do you have someone who you can rely on to never leave your side?
I believe so ^^

Hello one and all ^^

Well it's been a while since I updated my journal, so I thought I would let you know what is happening in my world. Art wise, I haven't uploaded that much recently (thank you exams and revision), but intend on doing so once I've gone to France - I'll be leaving on the 1st July but I'm taking both camera and laptop with me so updates should come!

As mentioned above, recently it's been exam mayhem - I'm assuming most of you guys have been going through the same torment and hope that everyone did ok! I can't say I think I've failed anything, although perhaps not done quite as well as I would have wanted to in a couple. Not that it's too terrible since first year of uni does not count towards the degree But with the end of exams did of course come the end of first year - it's a very odd sensation since I honestly don't feel like I've been here that long! I'll be headed back home this weekend, and come September I'll be in Japan on my year abroad

I have to say, my last month at uni has been so much fun - yes due to a couple of wonderful people ^^ as well as lots of events all one after the other a.k.a several trips to Shaky Jakes, eating out (should not be able to afford this really!), Asian Ball (photo's on facebook for those who care!), and general hanging out - quite chaotic really, trying to meet up with everyone! And then developing new, weird passions, again thank you a certain someone-who-shall-not-be-named such as a love of the ukulele and a craving of the wonderful unknown facts of the world, courtesy of Mr. Steven Fry.

The rest of my summer, apart from the summer job in France, is pretty fully booked too! As soon as I get back (mid-august) I have my auntie's wedding, followed by singing at the BBC proms (anyone know what possessed Handel to make voices trill???), and my uncle should have his baby before I leave! I'll hopefully fit in some Ludlow time too peeps so keep a look out!

Haha ok, enough random stuff, much love everybody! xxxxxxxx