Well I got my school uniform pants yesterday and so today I am able to wear my full school uniform. If you want an idea of what it looks like, think of the simpsons episode where they bring in uniforms for all the students. It is pretty much the same colour, but the bad thing is that when it rains, the colours don't go all groovy!
Friday, February 28, 2003
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Holidays....
Haru Yasumi (Spring Holidays)
13th March - 19th March
21st March - 7th April
Wow, I have heaps of time soon!!!
Anyone want to do anything???
Haru Yasumi (Spring Holidays)
13th March - 19th March
21st March - 7th April
Wow, I have heaps of time soon!!!
Anyone want to do anything???
Up to date news:
Yesterday I had to do two powerpoint presentations! The first one was for a Primary School, and they also did an Australian Presentation for me too, and the other was for my Rotary Club. Both went very well. For the Rotary presentation, I was a little tongue tied for some parts (as it was all in Japanese), but I recovered and went on and all was well. I will post some pictures of it soon. Apart from that, most is the same.. Last night I made chocolate pudding!!! Mmmmmm very delicious. Thanks for the recipe mum!
Yesterday I had to do two powerpoint presentations! The first one was for a Primary School, and they also did an Australian Presentation for me too, and the other was for my Rotary Club. Both went very well. For the Rotary presentation, I was a little tongue tied for some parts (as it was all in Japanese), but I recovered and went on and all was well. I will post some pictures of it soon. Apart from that, most is the same.. Last night I made chocolate pudding!!! Mmmmmm very delicious. Thanks for the recipe mum!
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
PLEASE NOTE ALL: YOU CAN ACCESS NEW PICTURES HERE
http://members.optusnet.com.au/rsjcm
I have run out of space here, and so the new pics are now here.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/rsjcm
I have run out of space here, and so the new pics are now here.
Monday, February 24, 2003
Well! I have had the most fantastic week. If you haven't heard from me for a while, it is because I have just spent the week in Nigata for my ski trip. I will go through the days of what happened and stuff like that. After not using my email for a few days, I now have about 40 emails! Wow.. so please wait a bit for me to reply to everyone :)
19/2/03
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Together with my hostdad we caught a taxi to Hamamatsu station. I had this huge bag and a backpack and he had this little bag. We met Fernando at the station and off we went on a bullet train to Tokyo. During the shinkansen trip to Tokyo, we picked up a few other exchange students through the stops at stations. Finally after 2 hours we got there. I had organised (well carly had) to meet up at Tokyo station when I was waiting for my shinkansen (i was for about an hour). Carly and I talked and I ate quickly in the time that I had. I said my goodbyes and off I was again on another shinkansen to Nigata. We were going with a huge group of about 150 Americans who go to international school here. By the time we got there is was getting a little late and all we had to do was get our skis fitted and go to our rooms.. instead we all went outside and had lots of snowball fights! That night we didn't sleep till pretty late as we were watching movies on Lalo's laptop.
20/2/03
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Today I skiied for the first time in my life. Mark (an Aussie Exchange student) and I were the only ones who had not skiied before and so we had special lessons to learn to ski. The teacher was very happy with our progress and by the end of the day, I was skiing really fast down the slopes (well not too fast.. yet). We spent the day going down the slopes with an instructor till he thought we were going well. At night there was night skiing available and we all went out (when it was snowing down really hard) and skiied till late. By the end of the first day, my muscles were already sore!
21/3/03
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Today was pretty much the same as yesterday.. a lot of skiing! I also made an igloo with Mark (check the pictures section when I get it up) and a snowman. I was getting better at skiing and I was falling over less. For a while I thought that my left leg was getting too tired to ski and that was why I couldn't turn left anymore, but I later realised that I may have had the ski shoes on the wrong feet. We all got 2000 yen each day for lunch and that was plenty to get something nice to eat.
22/3/03
In the morning I called Carly on my mobile. I was calling to tell her not to bother coming to see me on the way back through Tokyo because I would only be there for about 20 minutes. She suggested that I ask my host dad if I can go back to Hamamatsu the next day and spend Sunday in Tokyo with her. It was all ok with my hostdad and so Carly said she would meet me at the station. The day went fast skiing and skiing until I couldn't stand up from my aching muscles. We all had to be out of there by about 4:30 and then off to the station to eat dinner and then rushed off again to catch the shinkansen to Tokyo.
At 7:30 p.m. Carly found me at the station and then whisked me off to her friend's house for a little while as we still had a bit of time. We needed assistance to get to the house as Tokyo is like a maze of houses everywhere and if we tried to get there ourselves, we would soon get lost. We then went off on another train to her home station and then walked to her house. Through all of this I lugged my heavy bag around everywhere.
23/3/03
Well today was one of the best days. This morning I met Carly's host family (a bit better than 2 seconds the night before) and we ate brekkie. We had a big day ahead of us and so we left about 9 and walked through a large park which was right next to her house. Carly says that sometimes there are flee markets and bands (but none today). We decided that taking my big bag to a convenient store and getting it couriered to my house was the best idea.. I didn't want to carry it all around Tokyo all day! Now Carly, if you are reading this, please check that I have got all the station names right. I have tried to remember them, but it is a bit hard.. also tell me if I missed anything. We caught a train from Ikebukura (maybe) to Shinjuku where we went to a large observation tower that overlooked Tokyo. I have some pictures of it that will be in the pics section soon. It was a bit of a shame because it was a bit smoggy? or cloudy? so I couldn't see much on the horizon (like Mt. Fuji) but I could still see the millions of houses down below. We were planning to meet an exchange student from America that went to Japan in Carly's year at 12:00 and we had a bit of time so we checked out some shops and then went of to Shibuya to meet at the dog. The dog is a little like the dog on the tuckerbox story. We met up with Lauren who Carly hadn't seen for 4 years and then walked off to Harajuku (?) to look at the shrine. On the way to the shrine, we came across some very very very very strange clothes that people were wearing. Apparently their parents do not know about what they wear as it is all secret. They all were here sitting and talking with the strangest clothes and makeup.
As we were going into the shrine, we were approached by a group of first year uni students that study english. They wanted to be our guide for the shrine so that they could practice their English skills. We accepted and off we went to the shine. For some reason, there was about 4 traditional Japanese Shinto weddings going on, and it was really interesting. We went inside the shrine where people were making wishes. What you do is throw a coin in this big box thing and then you bow two times, then clap two times and then wish. I cant remember if the last two were around the other way! For lunch we went to kaiten-zushi, which is the revolving sushi bar (a belt brings the food around and you take off what you want). I spent too much money there!!! Every train I went of I had to spend about 200 yen and we went on a lot of trains. We then walked to Kiddie land where I thought I might find some Dragon Ball Z stuff there, but to my disapointment, there was not any there :( We then caught the train again to Akihabura (Electric Town) where there are thousands of electric shops.. you can get pretty much anything electrical here. We went on another train that went to a staion I cant remember and then walked to Ginza. On the way, we had to do a survey for the town on how we rated it.. most of it we made up as we only just got there.. at the end, we got a pen! Yay! We then walked to the Sony building, where they usually keep new technology there that has not been released.. Sadly, it was under renovation and I didn't see anything new :( Ahh well, it was still pretty interesting. I will have to go back in April? when it is done. After that we caught the subway to Tokyo station to where I would be leaving for Hamamatsu. We waited around and ate a lot of Korean nori (seaweed) and waited till my shinkansen came. I had a great day and thankyou Carly for taking me around those places. Carly rang my host mum and said Matt will take the bus home (as I had done it lots of times), but when I got to the station, she was there waiting for me. After I got home, I opened my box!! Mum and Dad sent me a box of stuff from Australia.. so I was happy. Well this week was a very good week. Now I have to catch up with the emails!!
19/2/03
----------
Together with my hostdad we caught a taxi to Hamamatsu station. I had this huge bag and a backpack and he had this little bag. We met Fernando at the station and off we went on a bullet train to Tokyo. During the shinkansen trip to Tokyo, we picked up a few other exchange students through the stops at stations. Finally after 2 hours we got there. I had organised (well carly had) to meet up at Tokyo station when I was waiting for my shinkansen (i was for about an hour). Carly and I talked and I ate quickly in the time that I had. I said my goodbyes and off I was again on another shinkansen to Nigata. We were going with a huge group of about 150 Americans who go to international school here. By the time we got there is was getting a little late and all we had to do was get our skis fitted and go to our rooms.. instead we all went outside and had lots of snowball fights! That night we didn't sleep till pretty late as we were watching movies on Lalo's laptop.
20/2/03
----------
Today I skiied for the first time in my life. Mark (an Aussie Exchange student) and I were the only ones who had not skiied before and so we had special lessons to learn to ski. The teacher was very happy with our progress and by the end of the day, I was skiing really fast down the slopes (well not too fast.. yet). We spent the day going down the slopes with an instructor till he thought we were going well. At night there was night skiing available and we all went out (when it was snowing down really hard) and skiied till late. By the end of the first day, my muscles were already sore!
21/3/03
---------
Today was pretty much the same as yesterday.. a lot of skiing! I also made an igloo with Mark (check the pictures section when I get it up) and a snowman. I was getting better at skiing and I was falling over less. For a while I thought that my left leg was getting too tired to ski and that was why I couldn't turn left anymore, but I later realised that I may have had the ski shoes on the wrong feet. We all got 2000 yen each day for lunch and that was plenty to get something nice to eat.
22/3/03
In the morning I called Carly on my mobile. I was calling to tell her not to bother coming to see me on the way back through Tokyo because I would only be there for about 20 minutes. She suggested that I ask my host dad if I can go back to Hamamatsu the next day and spend Sunday in Tokyo with her. It was all ok with my hostdad and so Carly said she would meet me at the station. The day went fast skiing and skiing until I couldn't stand up from my aching muscles. We all had to be out of there by about 4:30 and then off to the station to eat dinner and then rushed off again to catch the shinkansen to Tokyo.
At 7:30 p.m. Carly found me at the station and then whisked me off to her friend's house for a little while as we still had a bit of time. We needed assistance to get to the house as Tokyo is like a maze of houses everywhere and if we tried to get there ourselves, we would soon get lost. We then went off on another train to her home station and then walked to her house. Through all of this I lugged my heavy bag around everywhere.
23/3/03
Well today was one of the best days. This morning I met Carly's host family (a bit better than 2 seconds the night before) and we ate brekkie. We had a big day ahead of us and so we left about 9 and walked through a large park which was right next to her house. Carly says that sometimes there are flee markets and bands (but none today). We decided that taking my big bag to a convenient store and getting it couriered to my house was the best idea.. I didn't want to carry it all around Tokyo all day! Now Carly, if you are reading this, please check that I have got all the station names right. I have tried to remember them, but it is a bit hard.. also tell me if I missed anything. We caught a train from Ikebukura (maybe) to Shinjuku where we went to a large observation tower that overlooked Tokyo. I have some pictures of it that will be in the pics section soon. It was a bit of a shame because it was a bit smoggy? or cloudy? so I couldn't see much on the horizon (like Mt. Fuji) but I could still see the millions of houses down below. We were planning to meet an exchange student from America that went to Japan in Carly's year at 12:00 and we had a bit of time so we checked out some shops and then went of to Shibuya to meet at the dog. The dog is a little like the dog on the tuckerbox story. We met up with Lauren who Carly hadn't seen for 4 years and then walked off to Harajuku (?) to look at the shrine. On the way to the shrine, we came across some very very very very strange clothes that people were wearing. Apparently their parents do not know about what they wear as it is all secret. They all were here sitting and talking with the strangest clothes and makeup.
As we were going into the shrine, we were approached by a group of first year uni students that study english. They wanted to be our guide for the shrine so that they could practice their English skills. We accepted and off we went to the shine. For some reason, there was about 4 traditional Japanese Shinto weddings going on, and it was really interesting. We went inside the shrine where people were making wishes. What you do is throw a coin in this big box thing and then you bow two times, then clap two times and then wish. I cant remember if the last two were around the other way! For lunch we went to kaiten-zushi, which is the revolving sushi bar (a belt brings the food around and you take off what you want). I spent too much money there!!! Every train I went of I had to spend about 200 yen and we went on a lot of trains. We then walked to Kiddie land where I thought I might find some Dragon Ball Z stuff there, but to my disapointment, there was not any there :( We then caught the train again to Akihabura (Electric Town) where there are thousands of electric shops.. you can get pretty much anything electrical here. We went on another train that went to a staion I cant remember and then walked to Ginza. On the way, we had to do a survey for the town on how we rated it.. most of it we made up as we only just got there.. at the end, we got a pen! Yay! We then walked to the Sony building, where they usually keep new technology there that has not been released.. Sadly, it was under renovation and I didn't see anything new :( Ahh well, it was still pretty interesting. I will have to go back in April? when it is done. After that we caught the subway to Tokyo station to where I would be leaving for Hamamatsu. We waited around and ate a lot of Korean nori (seaweed) and waited till my shinkansen came. I had a great day and thankyou Carly for taking me around those places. Carly rang my host mum and said Matt will take the bus home (as I had done it lots of times), but when I got to the station, she was there waiting for me. After I got home, I opened my box!! Mum and Dad sent me a box of stuff from Australia.. so I was happy. Well this week was a very good week. Now I have to catch up with the emails!!
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Okie dokie, I have a keitai (mobile phone) now.
09080762105 is the number.
I'll soon set up the email on it so I can send and receive emails from it.
09080762105 is the number.
I'll soon set up the email on it so I can send and receive emails from it.
Monday, February 17, 2003
News from Today
-------------------------
2 DAYS LEFT TILL THE SKI TRIP!!!!!!! Yay!
I cant wait! I will be catching a shinkansen (bullet train) on Wedneday afternoon to Tokyo and then catching another to Nigata. I will be travelling with my host-dad, a rotarian and Fernando. At Tokyo, we meet up with all the other exchange students and also an American school. Well good luck to me for skiing. I have never skiied before and hopefully I don't break anything.
-------------------------
2 DAYS LEFT TILL THE SKI TRIP!!!!!!! Yay!
I cant wait! I will be catching a shinkansen (bullet train) on Wedneday afternoon to Tokyo and then catching another to Nigata. I will be travelling with my host-dad, a rotarian and Fernando. At Tokyo, we meet up with all the other exchange students and also an American school. Well good luck to me for skiing. I have never skiied before and hopefully I don't break anything.
News from Sunday
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Today I had to use my powerpoint presentation for my host-sister's Sunday school class. It all went well and I got to use this kewl new Sony laptop with this really tiny projector (about the size of a thick, short dictionary). I did it all in Japanese, and it was a good practice for my Rotary Presentation in a few weeks. Later that day I met Fernando (Mexican Exchange Student) in the city to go and watch a movie and have lunch.
---------------------------
Today I had to use my powerpoint presentation for my host-sister's Sunday school class. It all went well and I got to use this kewl new Sony laptop with this really tiny projector (about the size of a thick, short dictionary). I did it all in Japanese, and it was a good practice for my Rotary Presentation in a few weeks. Later that day I met Fernando (Mexican Exchange Student) in the city to go and watch a movie and have lunch.
News from Saturday
-----------------------------
I had my concert on Saturday and all went well except that during Danse Espagnole, my 3rd photocopy page fell off my stand and I had to remember bits for a little while, while trying to get someone's attention to pick it up for me. Finally someone did, but I got a bit muddled up and played a few funny notes. Apart from that, all went well. I also sent off my monthly report (Sorry Brian) a bit late, but hopefully soon I will get into a routine and send it off at the end of each month. Did you get my fax Brian?
-----------------------------
I had my concert on Saturday and all went well except that during Danse Espagnole, my 3rd photocopy page fell off my stand and I had to remember bits for a little while, while trying to get someone's attention to pick it up for me. Finally someone did, but I got a bit muddled up and played a few funny notes. Apart from that, all went well. I also sent off my monthly report (Sorry Brian) a bit late, but hopefully soon I will get into a routine and send it off at the end of each month. Did you get my fax Brian?
Friday, February 14, 2003
I have finished the whole series (that has been written) of Harry Potter in the first couple of weeks of living here.. Now there is a new book coming out. Does anyone know when it will be available in Australia or in Japan?? Hmmm....
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
Today's News
-----------------
I was supposed to do my Rotary speech today. I got to Rotary and was told I was starting soon... but first we needed to set up the computer for the powerpoint presentation. We asked someone last week to bring a laptop today and they did.. but they forgot the external usb cd rom drive... so I couldn't do my speech! Ahh well. I cant do it next week either, cos I will be on the ski trip, so I guess I have to do it in two weeks time. That doesn't matter, it means I just get more practice! Instead of the speech, we did the Rotary Club Banner swapping. Well.. tomorrow and the day after, I have practice with my accompanist for the concert on Sunday.. so I probably should go home and practice!!!
-----------------
I was supposed to do my Rotary speech today. I got to Rotary and was told I was starting soon... but first we needed to set up the computer for the powerpoint presentation. We asked someone last week to bring a laptop today and they did.. but they forgot the external usb cd rom drive... so I couldn't do my speech! Ahh well. I cant do it next week either, cos I will be on the ski trip, so I guess I have to do it in two weeks time. That doesn't matter, it means I just get more practice! Instead of the speech, we did the Rotary Club Banner swapping. Well.. tomorrow and the day after, I have practice with my accompanist for the concert on Sunday.. so I probably should go home and practice!!!
Yesterday's News
----------------------
I had a very enjoyable day yesterday! I went to ParuParu (Pal Pal) Which is an amusement park near my house. I had a free pass wrist band that let me ride on any ride I wanted as many times as I liked. I went with my host mum, her friend, and her friend's daughter Kurea (sounds like Clare/Clair) (who is in the English class I went to last Saturday). It took a lot of convincing, but I got Kurea to come on the jet coaster with me. I had a lot of fun, then I went up the mountain in a box thing.. cant remember what they are called.. they are box things that hold people and they are attached to cables and they go backwards and forwards to get people places.. anyway.. Once at the top of the mountain I went to yet another museum. The museum of Musical machines. It was pretty kewl to see and there was this machine that had nine instruments in it.. A banjo, piano, drums, tambourine, cymbal, triangle, umm and other stuff. It was all played of a long sheet of paper.
----------------------
I had a very enjoyable day yesterday! I went to ParuParu (Pal Pal) Which is an amusement park near my house. I had a free pass wrist band that let me ride on any ride I wanted as many times as I liked. I went with my host mum, her friend, and her friend's daughter Kurea (sounds like Clare/Clair) (who is in the English class I went to last Saturday). It took a lot of convincing, but I got Kurea to come on the jet coaster with me. I had a lot of fun, then I went up the mountain in a box thing.. cant remember what they are called.. they are box things that hold people and they are attached to cables and they go backwards and forwards to get people places.. anyway.. Once at the top of the mountain I went to yet another museum. The museum of Musical machines. It was pretty kewl to see and there was this machine that had nine instruments in it.. A banjo, piano, drums, tambourine, cymbal, triangle, umm and other stuff. It was all played of a long sheet of paper.
Monday, February 10, 2003
News from Sunday
-----------------------------
Well, I have my Rotary Presentation on Wednesday. Sunday night I spent about 3 hours writing my speech in Japanese (with help from my host family). It is sooo hard, but I think I will be fine. I will be doing a powerpoint presentation (a little different from the one I did at my sponsor club (Boronia)) and it will all have to be in Japanese. Well Goodluck to me.
On Sunday morning I had to go to church (as I do every Sunday in Japan). I guess it is similar to English speaking churches.. except it is all in Japanese. We have to sing and read things, but I have no idea what any of it means.
After church, my host mother and I went into downtown Hamamatsu where we went to visit the Science Museum. It was all very interesting and we went to the planetarium which showed Australia's skies as a special location to talk about. After the Science Museum, we went to the Musical Instrument museum.. This also was quite fascinating.. There were hundreds and hundreds of instruments form all over the world and you were able to play some too. They were all pretty interesting.. well most!
I am looking forward to Tuesday. I have a day off school and I am goig to a theme park nearby. Yay!
-----------------------------
Well, I have my Rotary Presentation on Wednesday. Sunday night I spent about 3 hours writing my speech in Japanese (with help from my host family). It is sooo hard, but I think I will be fine. I will be doing a powerpoint presentation (a little different from the one I did at my sponsor club (Boronia)) and it will all have to be in Japanese. Well Goodluck to me.
On Sunday morning I had to go to church (as I do every Sunday in Japan). I guess it is similar to English speaking churches.. except it is all in Japanese. We have to sing and read things, but I have no idea what any of it means.
After church, my host mother and I went into downtown Hamamatsu where we went to visit the Science Museum. It was all very interesting and we went to the planetarium which showed Australia's skies as a special location to talk about. After the Science Museum, we went to the Musical Instrument museum.. This also was quite fascinating.. There were hundreds and hundreds of instruments form all over the world and you were able to play some too. They were all pretty interesting.. well most!
I am looking forward to Tuesday. I have a day off school and I am goig to a theme park nearby. Yay!
News from Saturday
-----------------------------
Today I was sensei matt. I had to teach about 4 students in an English Coversation Class some australian songs and also help them with other songs. I took along some Australian souveneirs for them too, which they all thought were really kewl. I got to teach them "Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree" and they enjoyed that, and we also read some books in English (which after they had to act out). It was quite a lot of fun and after they said "Whenever you are free, come back.. What are you doing next Saturday??".
Riding your bike in Japan is highly dangerous, but nobody seems to get injured. To get to school everday, I ride my bike alongside of the road (they have a little section on the left and right of the road just for bikes) The only problem is... the road that I travel on, is used by a lot of large trucks and it is really scary when they zoom past you!! Also the wind doesn't help too!
-----------------------------
Today I was sensei matt. I had to teach about 4 students in an English Coversation Class some australian songs and also help them with other songs. I took along some Australian souveneirs for them too, which they all thought were really kewl. I got to teach them "Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree" and they enjoyed that, and we also read some books in English (which after they had to act out). It was quite a lot of fun and after they said "Whenever you are free, come back.. What are you doing next Saturday??".
Riding your bike in Japan is highly dangerous, but nobody seems to get injured. To get to school everday, I ride my bike alongside of the road (they have a little section on the left and right of the road just for bikes) The only problem is... the road that I travel on, is used by a lot of large trucks and it is really scary when they zoom past you!! Also the wind doesn't help too!
Thursday, February 06, 2003
Yesterday I went to my first Rotary meeting. It was hosted at the Hamamatsu Grand Hotel. As I walked through the large spinning doors, many of the employees all bowed to us and welcomed us in. The room where the Rotary meeting was being held was huge! There were heaps of tables all set for a large banquet. I went to sit down and a waiter quickly came over to pull out my chair and push it in for me when I sat down. It was like out of a movie... there were waiters everywhere running around with large trays waiting to serve everyone. The Rotary club had its own song which all of the Rotarians sang quite well to. As soon as the meeting started we were straight into our food and then after that was the guest speaker... I dont know if it was boring or only boring because I couldn't understand a thing, but a few rotarians were asleep by then end. :)
Monday, February 03, 2003
News from Sunday
---------------------------
Today I had my first big adventure (not like the bus trip) but I actually went somewhere without my host family. I met up with a friend from my school and his friend who is going to Australia later this year as an exchange student. We got to go see a movie 'The Bourne Identity' which was good, but the japanese subtitiles sometimes got in the way. After the movie I took my first Purikura (spelling?) (for those of you who dont know, it is a picture sticker machine). After having a really healthy day, Maccas for lunch, coke at the movies then having subway for dinner I had to make my way back to my town alone on the bus.. luckily I had been given good directions.
---------------------------
Today I had my first big adventure (not like the bus trip) but I actually went somewhere without my host family. I met up with a friend from my school and his friend who is going to Australia later this year as an exchange student. We got to go see a movie 'The Bourne Identity' which was good, but the japanese subtitiles sometimes got in the way. After the movie I took my first Purikura (spelling?) (for those of you who dont know, it is a picture sticker machine). After having a really healthy day, Maccas for lunch, coke at the movies then having subway for dinner I had to make my way back to my town alone on the bus.. luckily I had been given good directions.
News from Saturday!
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I talked about how I could make chocolate chip muffins to my host family and so they were really excited when I said I would make some for them. The only problem being is that all the ingredients that I use in my famous muffin recipe are either non-existant in Japan or a little bit different. I went shopping and found things that were almost the same, but there was no self raising flour! Instead I thought 'hmmm.. lets just shove a stack of baking powder in'. Well this kind of worked... I was scared that any second now when they were baking, they would explode. All went well except that the muffins tasted nothing like what they usually do in Australia and had a weird colour, and didn't feel like muffins... but overall a success. I also wasn't able to use an oven.. we had to use a microwave that by the flick of a switch turns into an oven.
Something else that I found that was cool on Saturday was that my host-sister's husband has a car that turns itself on and starts the engine from a press of a button on the keyless entry thing. This turns on the air conditioner and heats or cools the cars atmosphere to the desired ammount... Why cant we have cars like that in Australia!
-------------------------------
I talked about how I could make chocolate chip muffins to my host family and so they were really excited when I said I would make some for them. The only problem being is that all the ingredients that I use in my famous muffin recipe are either non-existant in Japan or a little bit different. I went shopping and found things that were almost the same, but there was no self raising flour! Instead I thought 'hmmm.. lets just shove a stack of baking powder in'. Well this kind of worked... I was scared that any second now when they were baking, they would explode. All went well except that the muffins tasted nothing like what they usually do in Australia and had a weird colour, and didn't feel like muffins... but overall a success. I also wasn't able to use an oven.. we had to use a microwave that by the flick of a switch turns into an oven.
Something else that I found that was cool on Saturday was that my host-sister's husband has a car that turns itself on and starts the engine from a press of a button on the keyless entry thing. This turns on the air conditioner and heats or cools the cars atmosphere to the desired ammount... Why cant we have cars like that in Australia!
