Day 43

Today I woke up and dragged myself out of bed at 9.30am- no more late starts unless the night before has Been very late. Last night though I got a good nights sleep because I was so tired from hiking all day that I was asleep by 11pm! Good stuff! 

So I went shopping and decided I would cook something healthy and make enough for the next couple of days food and pick up some cereal and bread for breakfast. I Also went to the 100 yen shop to get a plate, knife, mug, chopsticks and a couple of pots for my extra food! 

It wasn't great weather today, so a hot lunch at the guest house was needed! 

I started with some amazing Giyoza that I can cook in like 3 minutes! I love them!! 

Then onto my pasta: 

It was amazing, and would be fat club friendly! Got 4 veg in there! ++++

Then I had to go over to the bar to teach English for a few hours. We played a few games- the new one I created today was English snakes and ladders! They seemed to enjoy it! 

Then I worked tonight because James isn't feeling too well. Must be the river disease. 

So I was cleaning and came across this 'special basil' looks a bit dodgy to me!!! 

Spent the evening with 4 of my favourite guys! 

Wasn't the phrase, 'a picture says a thousand words'?!!! 

Well, this one says it all!! 

And then there's me. I'm just happy. I'm doing what I love every single day. I couldn't want more. 

:) 

Day 42

Today was amazing. One of my best days I have had since i arrived. Got to live out some dreams today. 

The early start was difficult, especially after getting home after 3! Still, I've been excited about this day for the past week so I was awake and ready! 

We got to have a early breakfast at the bar where we had omelette- a perfect energy food for what was to come! 

I'm still not really into mornings, but James' coffee really helps and once we were on our way the excitement started!! 

So it took nearly 2 hours to get up to Tadake falls. 

We didn't take any cameras or anything with us because we were all in wetsuits etc and didn't want to get anything ruined as we were going to swim and climb etc! 

Unfortunately you will never see the incredible things I experienced today. (unless I go again with a camera or you come and have a go!) there were times I was speechless at the beauty of the waterfall and the river. It was incredible. 

We went right up the river to the falls, climbed to the top of the falls and carried on following the river for around 2 hours. It was amazing- there were trees and Tarzan ropes to swing from, parts of the river was deep enough to swim and rock climbing up and down the waterfall was both exhilarating and at times incredibly scary. I loved every single second of it. I walked behind a real waterfall, Tarzan swing from a rock across a river and bombed in and had the most fantastic time. 

We got some pictures right near the car. These are rubbish in comparison to the beauty that is laying further up the river. But you will get the idea!

Then we went to PIZZA IN THE SKY!!!! literally as the name suggests it is a pizza place at the top of a mountain. 

It was very cheesy and very delicious after our hike! 

After the amazing food with fabulous company and incredible view we continued on to Najikin Castle Ruins. It was beautiful. The sun was starting to go down and I was reminded how incredible this opportunity and being here and experiencing this is. 

On the way out we came across a guy who was selling his own homemade sugarcane juice/ syup- he made us some to try- literally this stuff and hot water- it was like drinking pure sugar! (It basically was!) I got a bottle for ¥1000 and am not quite sure what I'm going to use it for yet,  at the very least it makes a warming drink in the winter! 

We then got to the beach just as the sun set. 

I am the luckiest person in the most beautiful place in the world. 

Thank you to James for the most incredible day. 

:) 

Day 41- part 3

I think this is the first part 3 I've ever done! But that's because work was extra special tonight. 

To start- James fed me cake, squirty cream and everything. 

It's a surprisingly nice cake- and I don't like fruit/ Christmas cake usually! 

Then we worked, kazu who I teach English to and a guy called yodi- from Hokaido spent the evening at the bar. 

I won. Just so everyone knows- I won. 

This couldn't be more perfect. I am being paid to eat cake, talk about karate (and occasionally demonstrate), watch karate, arm wrestle and drink drinks that match my shirt. 

This is priceless. 

Day 41 part 2

So this afternoon I went off to Naminouie- the one direction I haven't headed in since I've been here this trip! 

The shrine is even more beautiful than I remember it being- and there was the priest there. I watched him for about half an hour while people came and prayed and he did his thing. 

Then I decided to head down this little path next to the shrine where I found a whole load of statues and plaques- I have no idea what for but it was a labyrinth of little paths leading to these! 

It's a bit grey today but still warm enough to wear a hoodie and be okay, therefore I can't complain! 

This one was hidden right away down some steps, all by itself. 

And this one: 

I think they are all beautiful- whatever the reason they are here. Someone has put a lot of effort into creating them. 

I came out a back way but soon found the road that brought me back to the front of the shrine. 

Even the path leading up to the shrine had some amazing things: 

Lastly, I like this one: 

Day 41

Today was amazing. 

I went to karate early and got some practice in of my kata before the others showed up. 

There is something about that dojo that is very special. I feel almost like I'm at home when I'm there. 

I got some good kata practice in and then these cuties showed up with their papa:

It was baby kari's first ever karate class- I'm honoured to have been a part of it! These guys are the future of karate, I love that. 

Then we went for soba for lunch together - slurping noodles and drinking from bowls here is expected! Complete opposite manners from England!! 

Day 40

So I went to the budokan for training this morning- James was going to give miltos and I a crash lesson in kumite. 

I was very excited! We had the headgear, gloves and shin pads and will need gum shields too. 

We were basically playing about today, getting used to hitting and being hit. We did a couple of hours of training and it was mid afternoon by the time I made it back to the guest house. 

There's A LOT of work to do! 

Still. I did win in the end. 

Then I did laundry and went for a short jog- literally only like 2k. 

I cooked some pasta with tomato sauce and vegetables for dinner tonight. I need to start cooking more and living on less bread. 

No work tonight so chilling. Sorting my room and stuff out. It's getting a little colder here so I have 2 blankets now. Either that or I wear a jumper and have one blanket. 

I downloaded a couple of audio books today, I like listening to audio books and with cycling everywhere it's the perfect time to listen! 

Bumped into miltos before bed, he is a bit worse for wear after the kumite so it may just be me and James in the morning session tomorrow! 

Day 39

So I have got to STOP going to sleep at 2-3am because then I'm not getting up until basically 11am, complete waste of mornings! 

I got up around 11, had cereal and lemon  water for breakfast today, whilst watching cartoons. I like the cartoons here. 

I understood what was happening, except I'm not sure why this guy has a tree growing from his head. 

Then I went and taught English this afternoon, we talked all about afternoon tea and how it's done today. 

It was fun. 

It's horrible weather here today, there was a storm while I was sleeping this morning, and it's been cloudy and raining all day. 

So, Sanae has organised calligraphy class for me next Wednesday! I'm very excited! I got given the ink, brush and stone tonight! 

So Sanae showed me and let me practice a bit in the bar! 

I'm writing fighting spirit. Probably a fantastic first thing ever to write! 

It's obviously rubbish, but I haven't even had a class yet! I'm very excited to learn shodo! 

Another first for me tonight was Goya Juice! It's apparently very very healthy and good for you but it tastes really bad! Well actually, it is fine until you get the aftertaste, or if it settles a bit, it separates- stir and drink, stir and drink!! 

I have got SO much love for this girl. Domo arigato gozaimashta, Sanae- I am very excited to go to shodo class!! :D 

Day 38

I feel like there is the big brother voice talking ever time I write a new post! 

Day 38 And Becka is being very lazy and not getting out of bed until 10.40am! 

At 11.00am Dad facetimed - it was the perfect wake up, I saw Josie and all the snow there and I started my day feeling so loved. It made my day today. 

Even though I'm all grown up (so they say!) I still need my mumma and papa. 

And I got to see my favourite fatso pupp. I love Josie. 

Then I headed over to the budokan to run. 

So I went round once and it was going well except I was sweating before I'd even started- midday is not the time to go running here!! 

So I was on lap 2 and feeling it as obviously if you don't run you lose stamina and endurance quickly! And I haven't run properly since I left England! 

Then I got lapped by a old man. So I gave up after 2 laps and will go again tomorrow. We discussed tonight that the course for the Eki den is 3km and then swap the sash. I will be doing 2 split laps. I need to attempt to do 3k in 15-18 minuets- quicker if we want to win! 

So then I sat and watched this beaut for about half a hour. He was trying to catch some lunch me thinks! 

I went home to study some of the japanese Sanae was teaching me yesterday. 

Then headed over to the bar for some help from Yuri. I needed to know because and to and and! 

Turns out we are going to be movie stars. There was a film crew at the bar tonight doig a short documentary on the bar. I got interviewed too. I (as a customer!) explained my love of karate (and the bar)! 

As they were leaving I met two new guys who had cool skateboards and they started teaching me. I broke James' bar. So we did it outside where i nearly lost the board under a car in the road-LOL!! 

It was a LOT of fun! 

I did learn my words too!

Now I just have to talk to people and use them! 

Each day is crazy. I wake up with a plan and go to bed having done something completely different. I don't think I've had a boring day since I've been here! 

Today, Becka was a movie star. 

(And a runner, and a skateboarder) 

Tomorrow, who knows!! 

Day 37

Karate this morning was just James, Miltos and me. It was good fun. We worked on walking basics, kicking and kata. I kicked James' leg (which was like kicking a tree) and rehurt my toe that was just starting to feel better!! Lesson learned- kick higher as I was told to next time. 

I was tired and still feeling sad this morning. Which now, seems a little silly because I should be on cloud 9 with my current set up; amazing family, amazing karate with the best in the world, and a job that is basically made for me. 

Then I went to the sports depot as James told me I had to get suitable shoes for waterfall hiking at the weekend, they were only 1000 yen and a size 24cm fits! They're basically shoes that you would wear in the sea when you go surfing etc. very suitable for hiking up a river to a waterfall! 

(And they're blue!) 

I then taught my English lesson with Kazu, who is doing so well- and even helps me with a little Japanese! 

Jesus came to the bar and also helped me with some Japanese tonight- turns out there's a LOT of people who will help me! :) 

I think I've made friends for life in this place. I love it. 

And I found a new game that will and has entertained me for hours. I'm going to get one of these! 

There's still a little bit of sadness in me but I have a LOT of people who are looking after me here. (James just lets me eat his burnt Christmas cake). 

To top it all off- my karate masters portraits book is in progress!  This is going to me the beginning of my very own project! (A expensive but SO worth it one!) 

Tomorrow the plan is to start practicing for the eki den run we have in 3 weeks- it's a team of 10 of us running 42km (I think!) as a relay! I'm going to head over to the budokan to see if I can still run! 

Day 36

So today it was raining and quite windy here. I ventured into Kokusai street to hunt down some food, I wandered the market and found some really cool little shops completely hidden away down tiny alley ways. It is completely aimed at tourists so it is a bit useless to me at the moment! 

I was teaching at the language dojo this afternoon with Mr. Miyagi. We played some flash card games, I hope he enjoyed them and maybe learned something! 

I have finally managed to make facetime work for the first time since I have been here - 35 Days! I got to speak to and see my fam. I love and miss them SO much.  I'm living my dream here, but a part of me is right there with them. I really miss them and I know how lucky I am to have such a incredible family who are completely supporting me in following my passions. 

#somuchlove 

Another amazing thing is that today I found the pictures of me receiving my Shodan Certificate; this was one of my proudest moments yet. 

What a Monday it's been! It's 2.30 am now and I have karate in the morning and I should be asleep. It's difficult because now my head is completely spinning. 

Day 35

Today I completely missed James' training session in the morning because I stayed up until 6am to watch the sun rise. I slept until midday and then wandered around In my jammies eating dry cereal being a proper lazy moo. 

I decided I would finish my bingata coasters- turns out they came out really nice! 

I'm proud. 

So then James checked I hadn't died and asked if I would babysit his little cherubs for a few hours tonight. I agreed so that I wouldn't end up spending the entire day acting like a slug. 

Finding his house was enough of a workout, took way longer than it should and I don't think I took the most direct route! Still I eventually made it, I'm wondering how useful showering actually Is when I basically spend my life sweating here! 

We played dolls and dress up and read some books (I made the story up from the pictures as I can't read Japanese LOL!) I don't think the older girls were too sure about me but I think with time we will be cool. We watched minions- I don't know anyone who doesn't like minions!! We discovered minions are basically speaking Japanese! 

Then the girls went to bed. 

I'm some creepy babysitter with the coolest sheep. 

Then James took me home around midnight. I've discovered how to fold my bike (well James did lol!) it does actually fold! 

Turned out to be pretty fun and for James to trust me with his babies is cool.