2013

nico: A year and two months have passed since I came to live in Australia. Time flies. I intended to write blogs more often, but I was too busy to write them in English. I can see that writing is the hardest thing to improve for students who study English. Actually, it is rather difficult.

Well, what did I do since then? Actually, I did lots. I went to Rottnest Island twice to have Christmas holiday with MJ’s family and experienced to have Australian Christmas. Grandma called me Geisha Girl when I put sun screen on my face there. From February 2013 I started to study English and finished Certificate III Spoken and Written English in December 2013. I’d love to write about what I felt during classes studying with my classmates who come from a variety of countries. In March 2013, I went to Busselton for MJ’s grandparents’ 60 wedding anniversary. In May 2013, I attended MJ’s friends’ wedding ceremony and reception which were beautiful and hilarious. In July 2013, I started to learn Jujutsu and Pencak Silat. MJ and I attended a free self-defence class organized by Pride WA and Work Out Savvy where I met one of my teachers. In November 2013, MJ and I got our house which is a cute unit. I had never painted before. There are lots of other things I did, and I will write about those another day.

Then, did I change through these experience and life in Australia? Hmmm. I became to feel comfortable to wear thongs everywhere which I had never worn them in Japan except at beaches. Now I have suntan by my thongs. I bought them in Japan though. The biggest thing what I think I changed a lot is that I became to be able to tease MJ’s mum. I was surprised myself. Japanese people who were born in Kinki region, where I was born, must be funny, so I think that helped me with getting along with MJ’s family even though my English is not good. I don’t think I am funny in Kinki region by the way.       

In February 2014, I am going to study Certificate IV Spoken and Written English and work as a casual worker. My goal in 2014 is to improve my English, especially speaking skills, so that I don’t need to stare at hairdressers to understand them. It is really awkward if you don’t understand them while you are having your hair cut.

In conclusion, I really want to say thank you to MJ’s family, friends, teachers, and people who surround me for helping me to live in Australia. Happy New Year!!!