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. 

Day 34

Yesterday was a really fun day again! I went to karate in the morning and worked with James on some applications for naihanchi and using the whole body to generate power- it is a LOT harder than it looks! 

Then I met Sanae and Emilie and we went and met Paul (a guy from the bar) who likes to make YouTube videos and we  went to the park to help him out making his next one- I'm gonna be a movie star 😝

Then me and sanae went to get some food- she took me to this fab place where you do your own barbeque! 

We had to wait a bit as we were a little early! 

You basically order the meat and rice that you want and go ahead and cook it how you like it as you want it! 

It was good fun! 

Then off to the bar for work, James was making his Christmas cake so I watched ninja turtles. 

Then we had to let people in lol! It was a fun night except we didn't finish until around 3am! It was a late one lol! Chris came to the bar tonight and has said that I can be the first to order his (and James') karate masters portraits project book! I'm then going to make it my mission to get as many of the masters as I can to sign the book while I'm here. I feel a challenge coming along! 

#justanotherdayinparadise

Day 32 part 2

So tonight we had to get to Ozato for training- I couldn't do the usual set up of going with Sensei because of his surgery. Instead miltos borrowed a moped from one of the guys at the guest house and I had to use that! 

Considering I've never been on a moped before, making it all the way to Ozato and back on one was a major achievement! 

You must also consider, it was dark, raining and the roads here are TINY. 

It was the scariest thing I've done since I got here! 

I did fall off once and got myself a nice bruise right up my leg! Owcheeee. Still, lesson learnt that you can't stop a moped with your feet like a bycycle. You will fall off, it will hurt. 

When we got back the guest house guys sorted us some dinner out- I had the fish below: 

Surprisingly it was the nicest fish ever. Avoiding the head, tail and bones there was some REALLY nice fish there. We had rice and giyoza too. Much nicer than sashimi. 

What a eventful evening, and that was all around the karate class!! 

I'm not sure if I want to ride a moped again- maybe with some practice of start to like it. 

Day 33

This morning was training at the budokan, I got to meet Kamamoto Sensei- he gave me his sword to hold and everything! It was amazing! He has invited me along to the cutting practice at the end of December which should be fun! I think I'd like to go and see them again before that though! 

Then we did training for a couple of hours- it was fun- we did jujitsu type training, practicing breakfalls and grappling floor work. It got sweaty LOL!

Then off to the market to hunt down cake ingredients, however I got completely sidetracked into a different little shop where I painted my own glass- I made a special Mushin Glass. It turned out pretty good, and now it has its own space on the dojo bar shelf!

Then off to the bar, we baked scones (cones!!) and drunk mulled wine. It was a LOT of fun! 

I did the board for the week: 

The more I'm relaxing, the more I'm starting to enjoy myself! 

You know life is good when you don't want to sleep because real life is better. 

Day 32!

Today I picked up my second gi from Shureido- I now have 2 well fitting gi with embroidery and badges. 

I then spent the morning trying to find a beach glass craft shop that should be on a backstreet off Kokusai street somewhere, I couldn't find it so instead wandered around the market. I discovered things I'd never seen before! 

I found a wonderful little place where you can make your own candles and sand art and paint Shisa! 

I chose to make a candle today! 

Okinawa is SO arty! I love it, even though I'm rubbish at it, it's good fun! 

I probably tried to shove too many pieces in my small glass! When will I learn that sometimes less is more and maybe I didn't need a starfish, nemo fish and a crab, as well as shells?! 

Still it's a pretty little thing and I made it all by myself! 

It's a little grey and cloudy here today, it's apparently going to rain later. I'm off to Ozato for karate later. 

It's been a chilled day today. I'm sure karate will liven everything up later!

Day 31- (1 MONTH!!)

Today marks me being on Okinawa for one month! It has been a complete rollercoaster. There has been every emotion imaginable but so far overall it's the best thing I've ever done. 

Today I went to Shuri where I went to the Zuisen Awamori Distillery- I leant all about how Awamori is made and had a tour of the factory and got to sample some! 

I then wandered around Shuri trying to find some more of the things off my list- I found a couple- I will go back for the rest another day, I still have sore feet so don't want to go too far! 

I saw some brilliant things while getting lost. 

Finally I made my way back to Naha and I went and found the Arts and Craft place- today I did traditional bingatta  dying: 

I made my own coasters, They aren't finished yet! I have to leave them for 3 days and then follow the next steps! 

This is a LOT of fun. I'm finding so many wonderful things to do and although there is a language barrier I still get it and the people are wonderful. 

I'm feeling a relaxing evening as there is no karate tonight, resting my sore feet and planning another exciting day for tomorrow! 

#lovingit

Day 30 (part 2)

There's a time in your life when the world is on your side, you might not feel it, you might not see it but it surrounds you like a light, makes you stronger for the fight. 

I'm never letting go, gotta learn to grow, watch me as I touch the sky, now I know it's what I gotta do, find a dream that's new- give it all I got this time- still I fly. 

Tonight- I crossed another thing off my list- James only went and put Mushin on the menu- forever a part of England and our Dojo here now! 

Mushin- right there between Naihanchi and Sentinashi. I don't think he will comprehend how happy it's made me- I have wanted to do this since I first came to okinawa- today we did it!! 

Mushin is the name of our home dojo - it means 'no mind'- hence: don't think, just drink. 

I've also fallen in love with Crunky ice cream- 

Today has been incredible. Karate, Shisa making, cocktails on lists, English language class games and more ice cream. 

I literally couldn't want more in life right now. 

#bucketlist 

Day 30

Today was amazing! I went to karate this morning which was awesome as always!! 

Then I went to the pottery village where I got to make my own Shisa!! 

Here he is as a work in progress! 

Here he is finished- 

I then had to inscribe him with my name- I can write my name in katakana now! 

Shisa are a traditional ryukyuan decoration often in pairs resembling a cross between a lion and a dog. People place a pair of Shisa on thier rooftops or around the gates to thier houses- they are wards believed to protect from evil - the left Shisa traditionally has a closed mouth while the right has a open mouth. The open mouth wards off evil spirits and the closed mouth keeps good spirits in. 

I have made my closed mouth Shisa and I now have to wait 1-2 months for it to dry out before he will be ready for me to pick up! 

It was a thing crossed off the bucket list- I made my very own clay Shisa- on okinawa with traditional Okinawan methods and Okinawan clay. It will be a treasure I will love forever when I pick it up!! 

Day 29

Today I went shoe shopping. I was going to go and explore the next thing on my list but my feet are just too sore and now isn't the time to make them worse because I have no patience. 

I got some properly fitted shoes. My feet are 26cm long- you learn something new everyday eh! 

5000 yen is a small price to pay for me to be able to practice karate properly (and be able to walk without everything hurting!) 

I went for a pair of sandals and a pair of running shoes. 

I won't really be able to wear my shoes until my feet have healed- but the sandals are very comfy and I have the shoes ready! 

I then wandered around the clothes shops and came across a top and a jacket. I bought them because I really like the message on both of them and because I can't wear my Hawaii shorts or my Gi everywhere! 

Be Daring, Be First, Be Different. I think I'm achieving all of these here at the moment! 

Control your destiny or someone else will.  

Both of these are things that when I eventually come back to England no one will have the same things- I will be unique! :) 

Day 28

Beach training this morning- the running in no shoes with very sore feet wasn't ideal- especially not to beat james and his flipper feet!! 

We did running and lots of exercises and circuits with hammers and stuff. It was pretty cool. 

It's amazing to spend Sunday's in November on a tropical beach! 

Sanae is amazing. She drove me to the beach so I wouldn't have to do the trek of a bike ride!! I have so so much love for this girl. 

James took us to the most incredible place for lunch. I did some real food but this is all i actually wanted!! 

I didn't even feel bad about the calories - I taught the children - instead of sticking the sticks in the fountain - fill the whole cup!! 

If you look closely- there is some fruit!! 

Today was SO much fun. 

Angelina, Sanae and Naow took me to do the coolest pictures:

Working tonight. Should be another fun fun fun night. 

#livingthedream

Day 27

today was grading day at Arakaki sensei's dojo. I am humbled to have been able to be a part of it and to have been welcomed into the dojo so readily. My new dojo mates are brilliant. 

Then I had a Nap- my very sore feet need some time to repair!! 

Work tonight - it's Staci's last night!! :'( 

It was very busy- turns out the bar has been in the papers this week! 

Fun times! 

We are all signed up for our ekiden run- I SoO need practice!! 

And Taira Sensei from goju ryu came in- he kept calling me Backa (crazy) for his own amusement but then confused himself so much he wasn't sure if it was Backa or Becka- I'm not so sure now either!! 

Still I got a hug- even with those incredible makiwara hands he is SO cool!! 

Day 26 part 2

Tonight I tried Sashimi for the first time. I had dinner with the guys in the guest house (that was the first hurdle!) It was a big deal for me- a month ago I never ever saw myself even thinking about eating raw fish on the other side of the world-  let alone actually doing it! There was fish juice soup and tempura fish aswel- it was a whole new evening for me! 

The fish soup, was a little like fish tank water but smelled way worse than it tasted! 

Tonight was a massive step for me. It's the small achievements that please me! 

Day 25 part 2

This afternoon was my first English lesson with the small English school in Naha (James set us up) they want me just to have English conversation once a month with a couple of thier students. It was really good fun.

Then off to karate with Arakaki Sensei. We went early to the Ozato Dojo where I got to help teach the children. They were SO cute! Then a bit of a break and a chance to talk to Sensei (over more cake!) and then adult class. Another intense and very sweaty class but I love it. 

I'm not feeling any kind of improvement or difference yet- if anything I am now trying to live up to the belt I now wear. It's like going from primary school to secondary school,it's a tough time!! 

Then again as dad says,if I keep trying hard, do the best I can and be kind to people and animals, I won't go too far wrong! 

Sensei has said Friday is for a good rest- I'm not so sure! Off to the Budokan for some extra application type training with James and whoever else fancies joining us! 

I need to get SO much faster! At the end of today's class I had to do Rohai and Pinan Shodan Bunkai with Toshimune-San and Miyagi-San - I felt SO rubbish next to the two of them- they were brilliant (they have been doing karate longer than I have been alive)- still if I keep training with them, a little might just rub off on me! On the plus side, they think I'm strong! 

Day 26 (in Becka world)

This morning I discovered that bed bugs could be what's biting me (arghhhh! :-o ) 

I am going to the dormitory for 4 days as my room was booked up so the guest house guys said they would check. Although it could also just be mosquitoes. 

I'm struggling with having only one gi whilst my other is at Shureido being altered, especially when it's in use every day- and a LOT of sweat is being made.

We trained at the budokan this morning- it ended up being James, Miltos, Mr Elf and me. We did applications and takedowns, and played about with some knife and stick attacks (I discovered that I'm pretty rubbish at all that too!) 

I took a bit of a fall wrong (got my foot caught on the mats) and now have a VERY sore big toe. I can walk on it but it hurts. Hopefully it will be okay for training tomorrow!! 

As we were leaving the budokan we got to see the current world champions practicing kata- that was Incredible. I have a lot to aspire to. 

Considering Arakaki Sensei says today is rest day, I haven't done much else! 

I got a late lunch/ early dinner at the Italian cafe today because I have been wanting something homelike for days now, seems this is the closest I will get- it was quite a good spag bol! 

It's difficult to go too far out exploring when I have work or karate in the evenings. Then again there is SO much I haven't seen in Naha that I can't complain yet- and I still have a whole year, I'm only 3 weeks in! I was going to explore further but now I have a sore toe hobbling up Kokusai street is hard enough! Looking forward to a hot shower and a early night tonight!! 

Day 25

This morning I decided to go somewhere close by because I have my first English class later. 

The tsuboya pottery museum seemed to be a good next choice on my list. 

It's free to enter and there is a little bit of a audio guide in English. 

There are some incredible pieces in there,  it's only a small museum that I spent a hour in, but it is worth a visit! 

Again I'm not sure if I was supposed to be taking pictures of all these things but no one stopped me! 

I went on a little wander around the street after this, I didn't find the place where they do Shisa or pot making classes, I think I need to delve a bit deeper on another day to find it! 

Seems it is a real maze! 

I'm just having some lunch right before my English class. I was going to keep trying new places but I found myself back at climax coffee because it is literally a 5 minute walk to the English school. (And they had a lunch set deal!) 

It was yummy. And I LOVE thier choices of syrup for the iced coffee. It's amazing. Today I had caramel and coconut. The Christmas songs are annoying me a bit today though! Still, I'm excited about my English class soon! 

Day 24 part 2

So, first I made it up the hill on my bike without stopping. That has made my day. Maintaining it now will be the challenge- I'm so hoping it wasn't a fluke! 

Then karate itself was really fun- I think it's basically impossible to have a bad class here. 

Sensei gave me cake- he obviously knows how to make me happy, I loooove cake. 

This evening was the first evening I went and socialised with everybody else at the guest house downstairs. I would have done it sooner but I have to do these things in my own time and I had to have a chance to adapt to everything else. They're nice, a couple of them can speak a bit of English so that helped! 

Turns out I got bitten a LOT on my Tarzan Expedition yesterday. 

Either that or there is something in my room that spent the entire night biting me. 

This is just a piece of one arm! I think I need to learn the japanese for bite cream! 

Day 24

Today I decided I would start making my way through the list of good looking spots from the Naha City Map- I've decided I'll start by completely exploring this and working my way outwards! 

Today Sueyoshi Park- I LOVE the open spaces where there is no people and exploring and there is some great reviews for this park online- it helped that it wasn't too far away too! I decided to get the monorail today because I didn't fancy a 3 mile bike ride to and from the park knowing that later I have karate and would love today to be the day I make it up the hill without stopping! (So nearly did it yesterday- not quite though!) 

There was the most beautiful flowers and plants: 

And then there was the jungly/ mountain bit! This part I loved climbing the rocks and hunting down the different shrine bits, chasing the butterflies and getting completely lost: 

I got so many cool pictures, the only way to share them is via collages rather than a post that would go on forever! 

I spent around 4 hours exploring The park, it doesn't look that big on the map and I don't think it actually is that big- I probably went around in circles for a while but everything began to look the same and then different - if that makes any Sense! 

I'm now back at the guest house for my afternoon Siesta before karate tonight. Sueyoshi is definitely a park I will go back to and probably discover things I didn't see this time. The parks here are incredible. 

Day 23

Today was a much better day- I'm feeling happy vibes returning again, which is good- like the clouds are clearing (for the time being anyways!) 

Karate this morning was just what I needed, a little bit of contact and application and power and excitement (a bit of a punch in the face from Miltos, that was then accidentally reciprocated!) It feels like it healed me a little last night and this morning (or knocked the sense back into me!) 

Karate has completely taken over my life, and that's okay because for the time being at least it is my life and that is the best thing for me, its what I need right now, whether I feel it all the time or not! it's changing me- it frustrates me, it challenges me, it questions me, it excites me, it makes me laugh and makes me cry but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Then James took us for lunch- we went to a very local curry place where i had the best food I've had here yet! Very yummy! 

Then over to the bar- we have made 'Mushin'   special of the week! 

It's a Sanae and Becka creation!! 

I cooked a lot tonight, made me proud- I'm doing it all myself now! #gopro

And as a late night wake us up, Sanae made the nicest cinnamon coffee I've ever had! It was like Christmas in a cup!! Seriously had some yummyness in my life today. 

#dontgiveup