The Drought

Now it is illegal to have a green lawn. Quite literally, water restrictions are that tight now that no one's lawn is green and if it is, then CLEARLY they've been doing the wrong thing. I was shocked the other day when we drove past a paddock and i went 'Wow, the grass is green'. It had been that long since i'd seen proper green grass and it stood out so much, just htis patch of green amongst yellow and brown.

Just thought i'd share that little thought with you all, how thrilling it must be for you!

Melissa xx

Orientation Day

Yesterday mum and i went to orentation in town for the day. There were four other people, all from St Francis so i was the only one that didn't know anyone. The conference went for the whole day and i am so much more excited about it now.

I was the only one going for three months, the rest are going for 10 and it has made my time in Japan sound so small compared to them, it has made me feel a bit better and now i won't worry as much about being homesick because they are gone for more than triple my time!

I leave on the 22nd of March 2007 and return on the 23rd of June 2007. Not long, only 12 weeks.

Anyway, i am so excited but the only thing i worry about now is that my school work here is not going to get done properly. Oh well i say, it doesn't matter...

'It's just an adventure i guess...'

Love

I suppose if you fall for someone that is worth falling for, you fall hard. No matter what anyone says, you can't help it. They've caught your heart on non-refundable terms.

I fell.

6 months ago i fell so hard that i went against every scrap of advice given to me.

I had a plan.

We stayed on the low, pretending like nothing had happened or was happening. But now, with only 40 days until i leave, it is no more a secret. No more pretending we are just friends. No more lying to people.

Now it is all ok and nothing will stop me going to Japan, things are all ok.

You've gotta be strong...

When I Am Tired

Scene: Mel and Hannah have almost cleaned up all the kitchen in the deli when a hungry customer comes in, asking for a sandwhich that we didn't have proper ingredents for because we'd only cut enough lettuce for the next day.

Hannah: 'Hi how can i help you?'

Lady: 'I was just wondering if i could have a sandwhich please with ham tomato and lettuce?'

Hannah: 'Yeah sure but we don't have any lettuce sorry.'

Mel: 'Oh yeah Han, we do, it's right there'

*Hannah ignores Mel*

Mel: 'Hannah, see, right there in that green tub!'

Hannah: 'Oh would you look at that, i must be going blind!'

Yes, i did screw it up and put us behind but the look on Hannah's face when the lady left was worth it!

Cheat

Ok yes, i did cheat a little with my last post. I started writing it in Japanese but i couldn't be bothered finding my furigana dictionary and then i had a bright idea!

'Mel, you wrote an assignment on your feelings about Japan a few weeks ago...'

I'm sure you understand. Well, the weather has been getting colder at night, i don't know why that is and at the moment, i am a little stressed in a relaxed kind of a way about my schoolwork. It isn't looking good at all and i see the only solution to be to drop a lesson.

Hmm, it is so hard to pick which one as they are all so beneficial to my cause... not. I really don't think my life would be that much different if i were to miss a few lessons of religion. In fact, it would be different, it would be better because i would have more time to do the impossible.

Anyway, i must go and today is the fateful day that i lose the battle to get my P's before luke. What a brilliant day. (Which reminds me i need to book more driving lessons argh).

Melissa Marseille Ryan (p.s. my picture is in the sand dunes at Robe)

About My Japan

１月１４日　日曜日　　はれ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

今日たちばなの校長先生から手紙をもらった。私はたちばなに行って、とてもうれしい。三月に日本に行く。私はうれしいけど、しんぱいしている。日本でたちばな高校に行く。たちばな高校はふくしまにある。たちばな高校行きたくて、日本語をべんきょうしたい。今、私は日本語をれんしゅうして、日本のぶんかをならっている。

日本でともだちにあいたい。そして、寺に行きたい。日本でしんせつなかぞくがほしい。日本で私はオーストラリアのぶんかをおしえる。

今、この日記には疲れちゃった、それで、明日にわたしは書く。明日には寒いと風の強いでしょう。

明日まで、メリサ。