********8 April - 15 July 2002*********
15
July, 2002
Hello everyone! Well FINALLY the web-site is updated!!!!! As some of you who have visited here in the last few months may have noticed, very little has been happening. This is due to lack of time -moving to Palmerston North and starting college studies. But mainly because I have had major problems with the site, due to the on-line software I was using to build it. It would take half-an-hour to load the program and then after all that any changes you made to a webpage would be lost as it could not be saved to the Geocities server. Hence, to combat this I am now learning yet ANOTHER language....as well as Japanese I am learning HTML -the programming language for the internet...might be useful as I am taking a mult-media paper next semester! Should be no more major problems from now on...... once I get the time to do it. Learning HTML has also meant rebuilding the contents page and some other pages
This would have been done sooner but I have had no access in the last few days. Itsuka has had a cold over the last week, and on Wednesday I caught it too -but real real bad. Probably the worst I have been in a decade. In fact Thursday night I was throwing up so much that Itsuka took me to the emegency doctor last night, who gave me an injection. Itsuka has been so sweet looking after me, that if it wasn't the worst sickness I have had in a long time, I would almost have enjoyed it! Anyway... I am now all drugged up with a concoction of tablets, just in time for all my exams and tests and assignments due etc.... it now the end of semester in a week or two...... which means two things: 1/ The band we have formed at IPC will play in public for the very first time , which will be interesting! We still have not given it a name yet.... 2/ During the three week break we hope to take a trip around the lower half of the North Island to check the place out! Should be good!
6
July, 2002
Tonight a Witness band called "Sweet Groove" came to Palmerston North -they were very good, consisting of mostly Polynesian members, three vocalists, singing 'Easy Listening' kind of music. Itsuka and I went along in the afternoon when they were setting up and arranged to play along with them on the night -we played 'Johnny B. Goode', Itsuka on lead electric guitar, me on keyboards. Everybody loved it so much that we played it twice!
30 June,
2002
Just got home from the Webbs who we had dinner with tonight....oh....sooooo many exciting things happened this weekend.... firstly the wedding: everything went beautifully, everyone seemed to love our music and orchestrations of the Kingdom Melodies....also good to hear Brother Birtles giving a wedding talk, slightly different, but some parts the same. Nice afternoon reception at an historic homestead. Only problem was a little drizzle...sounds familiar!!!!!
Then today Itsuka and Hideya were very well received at the City Library when they presented some Japanese songs. It was so good that during the playing Itsuka was so moved by Hideya's rendition of "One More Time" that she looked almost upset! Afterwards Yuriko presented them with flowers and I took some photos. Also received free afternoon tea...!
Then tonight we went to the Webbs....they are from England, Chelsea (Tony is cockney English and Cathy is a kiwi, but both very British in style!). The reason for visiting them is that Itsuka for a college assignment needs to interview somebody, and so chose them to interview about differences in culture. They invited us for dinner and we had a lovely time.....you will not believe it but I discovered he collects SOUNDTRACKS!!!!!!! In other words he knows all about John Williams, John Barry, Alan Silvestri, James Horner...etc..etc!!!!! Looking through his collection there is "Jurassic Park" "Somewhere in Time" etc....!!!!! We had a most animated discussion and it seems we share very similar tastes. As for John Barry he likes him a lot, but shares my feeling that he is one of many good composers and not THE composer! He said if he had to pick his favourite it would probably be John Williams for all-round versatility. He did have one John Barry soundtrack I have never heard of "The Road to China"....
Anyway....we are so tired after a hectic weekend....next weekend there is a Witness band from Napier/Hastings and a congregation party on Saturday night....another busy weekend coming up!
8 June, 2002 Unbelievable, isn't it? Time has absolutely flown and it is hard to believe that we have been married half a year - but maybe that is a good sign? To celebrate I took Itsuka to town and she bought some new clothes, and then I took her to a restaurant -the local Cobb and Co. restaurant which was quite nice.
Lookslike the next six month will go just as fast!!!!!
Writing of which, on Saturday night Ash and Corrina had their engagement party. Of course, Itsuka and I were most disappointed that we were unable to be there. However, we did manage to record a CD of the music we are playing at the moment, including a composition we have both worked on called "Here With You". Anyway, here is a report from "Papa Bear" (Alan Parkes) about the engagement party we missed:
Saturday night was most interesting and although I thought I didn't do a good job at all as I am not well yet, nearly everyone there was most pleased and made a point of saying they enjoyed it very much. There were about 45 there so it was a full house at the "Albert Rooms" of the Criterion hotel and about 1/3 (about 15) dressed up. Especially well dressed Victorian, other than us, was: Aunt Susan (just like Tara from "Gone with the Wind", wig and all!), Anna Verkerk, the Campfens (more like Edwardian but still very good), Stephen Burnett, Andrew (Ash's Queenstown flatmate), and Zac. I took photos and some video (though I doubt the quality) and so did Uncle Adrian, Susan, Pep and Corrina.
Your CD was very well received and I played the first two tracks right after my introductional comments. Then I played the rest twice during the wine and cheese tasting sessions, all on Ash's mini stereo, set up on the bar that was not in use in the main Parlour room. Both your playing was "perfect" as was "Perfect Strangers"! We played it again this afternoon and enjoyed it immensely! Very professional!
Thanks again for your great efforts in the recording, looking forward to hearing you live one day! Did you know that Ash and Corrina have a flat and Ash is moving in tomorrow?
5 June, 2002 Itsuka and I attended a free
concert here in Palmerston North.... it was a jazz band
competition and was truly AMAZING stuff, with most at
professional level -very enjoyable. It was part of a jazz and
blues festival. I am now seriously considering seeing if I can
get some part time work as restaurant pianist or something -as
students money is getting quite tight at the moment, so we need a
little bit extra income. However, at the moment we are so busy it
is hard to find the time to put together a repertoire and go out
there and find something. Friday night I hope to take Itsuka to a
restaurant (have my eye on a replica Olde English Pub, although
not sure....) to celebrate six months of marriage (can't believe
six months have gone by!!!!!!!).
2 June, 2002 Hi there all! Itsuka and I have had a few bugs attacking our systems but nothing serious enough to call it being 'sick' -yet!
As for how things are going here.... well lately life has been extra busy -heaps of things going on it is hard to keep up. This last week we had all manner of tests and assignments due and now we have a week off to recover...well, not quite, of course there is homework and house work too.... (on Friday I handed in two assignments, about several thousand words each...).
IPC study is going well. I am enjoying all the subjects alot....Japanese is a challenge and I had an oral test on Friday which was pretty daunting but somehow survived. Since we are also taking 'teaching a foreign language' paper (class is right after Japanese for me) we are both also learning a small amount of German and Korean.....d'oh!!!!!!! It really messes with the brain to go from two hours of Japanese and then have an hour of German or Korean right afterward! For intercultrual communication (with the teacher -Malcolm -from Oamaru....hehehehe) we are presently studying the origin of language and also body language which is REALLY interesting. Just last Friday the class (also Itsuka was invited) was invitied to Malcolm's house -which is about five minutes away from the college -for lunch, so that was very nice. My own teaching is going quite well too -recently taught netball to a group, plus typing skills, and just lately Itsuka and I are arranging a karaoke time for both our classes in which they get to sing in English. Oh...as an interesting side-point, IPC has just sent out forms requesting extras for the Tom Cruise film ("Last Samarai"?) that is being made in Wanganui -of course they are wanting Asian people though.....
As for other noteworthy things happening here: Itsuka has now got her PERMANENT RESIDENCY!!!! woooo-hooooooo!!!!! Took many hours of hard work and more money that I dare think about, but the advantage is that she is now treated as a 'poor' kiwi student at IPC, rather than the rich Asian student whom they fleece money off like you wouldn't believe! So we will save money in the long run. Interesting, PR is only represented by a bit of a paper in your passport -no certificate or anything. Plus you get a Settlement Kit which included a very interesting 15 minute video on how to settle into life in NZ.....! Also, only been here a month or two and already in the papers (hehehe....) in this case "The Guardian" (sort of a more modern and more extensive equivalent of "The High Country Herald") -the article was about Melange -literature magazine Itsuka and friendss have set up. The article was on the second page of the paper in full colour and so we have quite a few lecturers and Witnesses etc commenting on it. Speaking of which, we received a nice surprise the other day when the other members of Melange gave us a lovely picnic basket as a late wedding gift!
As for other
thoughts/comments...... flat is warm here, but will need to get
an oil heater soon I think, ..... have not yet used the lovely
bath we have in the flat yet -too busy!...... have just run out
of Mum's famous jam which was enjoyed immensly by those who
visited us (notably Jenny -Itsuka's former flat mate, and
Yoriko)...... big fruit and vege market is half a block away from
here on Saturday mornings -so cost of food is pretty good at the
moment......quite a few daddy-long leg spiders around here, other
than that no insects...... major, major, major problems accessing
website at present and writing all sorts of nasty letters to
geocities, but have a plan B ready......
6 May, 2002
Wooooo--hoooooooo!!!! Ash and
Corrina have finally made the committment we have all be waiting
for (well, it was just a matter of time, wasn't it?). It is such
great news. We intend to build a webpage as part of this site to
give the latest news etc (once we get the other parts of the site
back on-line). So, watch out for some more material...
4
May, 2002
Things are just bedlam here at the moment. Had quite a few tests and assigments (I received 98 percent in a hiragana test...must be a fluke!!!!). A lot of stress with things to sort out.... Itsuka's old microwave to sell, things in the flat to sort out etc etc. One cool thing is that it is possible we might be getting a band together...there is this Japanese guy from IPC who plays drums for two other bands, but since they play mainly Japanese material he is interested in joining us since he wants to do "western material'. So you never know. Just recently Itsuka and I have been listening to a lot of "Queen" . I have to admit that I have always felt sort of prejudiced against them, except for Bohemian Rhapsody and Another One Bits the Dust which are good. But we have been listening to a lot of their other hits and they are really awesome.... Itsuka is imitating the guitar solos.
I am now officially studying at IPC! Yesterday (Friday) was the official commencement day which began with a Maori powhiri. It normally takes place on a marae but instead it took place in the recreation centre. The were three main blocks of people: the existing staff and students (including Itsuka), the new staff and students and an audience of mainly Japanese friends and family who had come from Japan especially for this day. As we new students filed into the hall there was a Maori welcome in the form of a group of Maori young people singing (all in traditional costume). Then there was a Maori religious leader who gave a 'prayer' and welcome which started a lot of speech making from various people representing staff, students and the Maori elders present. Each speech ended with the Maori group doing some more singing/dancing. Also there was a Japanese taiko drum team (from IPC) who in my mind were the best entertainment -both the drumming and the accompanying actions were most impressive. The only thing we new students had to do was sing a song "Sukiyaki" which fortunately for me was sung in English!!!! And then right at the end of the powhiri we had to do the traditionally "hongi" in which we pressed noses with each of the Maori and staff there!!!! (first time I have ever done that!!!!).
However the formality of that paled into insignificance compared to the official commencement that took place that night at the Manawatu stadium (where they have conventions). There was a big stage set up with lights and two huge rear-projection screens (one that had the 'live TV coverage' and another which had computer graphics, titles and translation). All the students had to wear formal attire (ie suit and tie). There was of course an audience of family, friends, existing staff and students etc... It started at 7.30pm with the town cryer and then were another barrage of speeches from all the important people, including the IPC president etc and some special gusts: a Japanese interpreter who is apparantly very famous having interpreted the live moon landing to the whole of Japan, and interpreting for JFK, Clinton etc... as well as writing books etc -I met him earlier in the week, quite an interesting guy. There was also someone from the NZ government from the ministry of foreign trade. Several of the people there had just been to the banquet with NZ PM Helen Clarke and Japan PM Koizumi and were refering to the honor of being "two tables away from the main table"!!!! The taiko drum team put on another impressive performance.
The most interesting part of the programme was the roll call of the new students. We were all seated in the front block and each row went up on to the stage to be 'presented' to the audience. They then said our individual name and we had to step forward and do "something" to introduce ourselves to the audience!!! Most did not do anything other than bow politely. One or two did or said something silly. I just smiled and did a friendly and casual salute!!!! The funniest one was a Japanese guy who pulled out a pocket camera and took a photo of the audience all with a completely dead-pan look on his face. He didn't smile at all until half a minute after when everyone was still laughing! Anyway, after we had each introduced ourselves were we then each presented with a flower!!! (in my case a yellow one!... I have put it water and it is now in our flat)....
Afterwards there was a small party
in the stadium with free food and drink. Entertainment was in the
form of some hip-hop break dancers who did some amazing stuff on
the floor. Then some IPC students did some performance in the
form of Hawaiian dancing, modern group dancing and two Latin
students did a really steamy Latin dance!!!!
19
April, 2002
Gradually getting more things sorted out here in regard to furniture etc... bookcase is coming together, table is now back in use, but still a lot to do... hopefully this weekend we can make a lot more progress.
Things are pretty hectic at the moment with both of us at college, meeting times changing due to the other congregation having a CO visit, and also things like the car failing a WOF..... this is a BUSY place!!!!!
First week at college has gone OK ... I am taking four papers altogether, so there are four classes: they are: Japanese 1 & 2, Teaching a Foreign Language and Intercultural Communication. All very interesting, but also very challenging. But one good thing is that all the classes are in the morning so I have the afternoon to spend studying, usually with Itsuka in the library. Also, on Wednesday morning I have been assigned to a class of first year students who I get to help and teach. My class are ones with excellent English skills already, so it is quite daunting...
One interesting aspect of school life is the dining hall. Itsuka is still eligible for a free lunch, so she gets a whole lot of food (some nice stuff like hot dogs, but also some crumy stuff too, depending which day of the week) but she gives it all to me! hehehehe.......
Well, there are so many things happening here it is hard to keep up... and the pace of life here is just so fast.... driving and cycling is a nightmare!!!!!
Must go now.... 45 hiragana this
week to memorise....!!!!!
15
April, 2002
On Saturday night Itsuka and I played at Richard and Georgie's engagement party, and it all went pretty well, with many compliments. One highlight was when Itsuka and I played the Shadow's "Footapper" as the music for musical arms (they were going to have musical chairs, but I told them about the better way we do it down south and they loved the idea!). It was difficult especially for Itsuka to perform the stop-start music for it, but everyone loved it and asked us to play the melody properly. In fact our music went down very well with everyone....the music they used when we were not playing was Richard Claydermen and the Shadows, which were about to play ourselves! And with 500 Miles quite a few were moved to sing along... They have also asked us to play at their wedding, possibly in September, maybe earlier.
Today was the start of college for
me of course. The day was quite stressful at the start as there
was just unbelievable traffic at 8.30am - 9am.... there is
already a lot of traffic about here, so rush-hour was even worse.
Anyway it took a lot longer to get to the college. Interestingly
I have a Chinese lady teaching Japanese, and had my first class.
Very daunting, a lot to learn. I am taking two other classes,
"Teaching a Foreign Language" (Itsuka is in this one!)
and "Intercultural Communication". Itsuka still gets a
free lunch here so we share that and another good thing... I have
no classes in the afternoon so I can do homework then, with help
from Itsuka!
8
April, 2002
Today we also put some net curtains up and bought a fridge/freezer and washing machine (both second-hand, which makes me nervous, except they come with a 6 months warranty, and the specialist lives just round the block from us). So almost back into civilisation... flat is starting to take shape. It has a huge window facing north and catches a lot of the sun so it keeps pretty warm.
