Per usual, it’s been about six months since I’ve updated. Much has happened, including going to see another one of my favorite bands (J), a fantastic summer vacation in California, and my very hard decision to stop my studies in Japan for a variety of reasons.

I may post my J concert report at some time in the future, as well as pictures from both Japan and my California vacation. As for my decision to leave Japan, it’s quite complicated, long, and personal in a lot of ways. The experience was great and I don’t regret going. There were just certain circumstances beyond my control that played a vital role in my decision.

My goals have changed. My future is a bit up in the air, but then again, it always has and always will be. I’m leaning towards primary education. But I’m going to try a few classes here and there to see if there is something else that might spark my interest.

In the meantime, I have a few writing goals that I’ve been working over in my head. With the new year coming soon, I’ve been thinking of things I could do to help me improve my writing skills and habits. I would also like to develop a daily blogging habit. But we have seen what my blogging habits are like.

Well, starting now, I’m going to try hard to blog at least once a week, and slowly build up the momentum to twice a week, three times a week, five times a week, then daily. It’s all about starting slow, right?

In the meantime, I’m going to be moving soon into a nice big apartment, and hopefully I’ll be able to work on my novel much more efficiently. More on that at a later time.

So, for now… ciao.

I’m usually not one to post lyrics. If I want to show something I’m feeling poetically, I write it myself. But this song came up on shuffle on my iPod, and I was reminded of how much I truly love it. The song is “What is Love?” by L’arc-en-Ciel. This is the English translation (source):

There’s just something about Japanese lyrics and music that just can’t be done in English. Maybe I’m biased, and I probably am. But the music, his voice, and the way it’s sung and put together as a whole just makes the song so much. I especially love the last minute or so.

Happy Holidays, everyone! Merry [insert religious holiday here]! I hope everyone is having a great winter break, even if you’re stranded in your house by the abundance of snow like I am.

For X-mas, I received “My Japanese Coach” for DS. I have to say, I’m enjoying it quite a bit, even if it has some quirks to it – like teaching the wrong stroke order for certain characters. But that’s what Kakitorikun is for. Mostly I’m using this new program to learn vocabulary and some grammar things. I’m still stuck in the beginning of things, rated as “1st grade.” But it’s good to review some things. ^-^

I really need to get on the ball of studying more!

Anyway, hope everyone has a wonderful New Year, full of drunkenness and hopefully not hangovers on the 1st.