Looooong time no see!! I apologize for that, but damn haven't I been busy lately! I mean, I had a trip to Hakodate coming up, with a five hour drive! Then I had my birthday and then there was the debate tournament which I had to do A LOT of research and practicing for + the upcoming speech contest & 45 minutes long presentation about Denmark I have to give at my school, so I have more than enough to do!
Still there was amazingly much time for fun! So this entry will probably long, I'm sorry, and it'll definitely contain a butt-load of pictures!
So let's put this entry into sections.
We start of with the trip to Hakodate;
So the 5 hour drive starts of pretty good, but about one hour or so into the drive we stop to get some food, etc. what happens then is.... My host father takes and puts the things he bought inside the trunk and then smashes it. Without realizing that he left his keys on the inside as well. We then stand there, with no idea what to do next. No keys and a locked car. So while we try and find ways to open the car, a guy comes up to us, ask if we smashed our keys in and then gives us a number to call. Thank God for those life saving people, haha.We called the number and then had to wait an hour or an hour and 30 minutes until anyone came.
In the meantime Sofie and I had a lot of fun running around trying on things and looking in the ONE store there was. We also went to the food thingies and talked to a man from Wales who owned a shop there. There was also these Japanese boys who thought they were oh so cool until we actually went over and talked to them and they didn't know what to say at all, haha. It was amazingly fun. After that though, it started getting a little more boring. Sofie and I just sat and chatted until the man came.
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| Me eating the gigantic asparagus! |
When the man came he took 10, maybe 5, minutes to open up our door, check that it was our car etc. and then we we're back on the road again.
We only made one stop after that, to go to the toilet, and else we didn't stop until we were at the Prince Hotel in Onuma - a little while before Hakodate. It was a nice hotel. We were staying in the cottages not far from the actual hotel. I'm glad we stayed in one of those, they had a nice feeling to them. I was really surprised by that.
So we basically just stayed at the cottage and went to the actual hotel for dinner, hot spring and breakfast. The hot spring had an amazing view over a pond with koi fish in it, it was amazing - especially with the nice cool breeze coming, I mean, it was a hot day as well as hot water in the hot spring - so you really do want a nice breeze haha.
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| Part of the Buffet <3 |
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| In the cottage ! |
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| Our cottage and wildly parked car, haha! |
The next day we went to Onuma lake and took some pictures, then we went on a boat ride where we ate a lot of Dango while getting a tour. It was super nice and had a cool breeze to it. As soon as the boat stopped it started raining though.
And then we went to actual Hakodate - where it did exactly the opposite of raining.
First we stopped at a tower the have in Hakodate which you can 'board'/go up in - however you say that in English. It was a nice place to see the city of Hakodate from and it was such an amazing day - a little too hot though
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| We found our car! |
We went around a lot of places, we went to an English styled part of Hakodate, which there for a fact is, and it was nice. There was this big house where, on the inside, you could lend big dresses and get your hair and make up done - like a British Queen or something and then you could run around taking pictures etc. it was so much fun haha. At first Sofie and I thought the ones in the dresses worked there to make it real, but we found out about the other thing not long after. It was fun though.
We then went to eat.
Then to the hotel. At the hotel we went to the nice hot springs which where on the top of the roof! Extremely cool view over the city and an amazing breeze! It was so nice. After that we went to eat dinner - which was also a super nice one. Everything here just taste freaking amazing, what will I do when I go back to Danish food? Yea of course I miss some of it, but I don't love it half as much as I love Japanese food. I think I really did find my home by coming here.
After dinner we went to see the famous Hakodate night view. It was absolutely amazing! I had no idea it would be so pretty and I can say that, the pictures we took definitely doesn't do it justice, it was so amazing and SO crowded haha. Not that, that is super surprising.
The next day we went some places again and then for the loooong drive home. At the drive home, nothing happened luckily. No keys in the trunk nor anything, so that was super nice!
Then let's go on to my Birthday;
The day after we came home was my birthday. I had plans that day, so I couldn't go and see Sofie off in the airport - unfortunately! I miss her so much already. Anyway. In the morning I woke up and got ready, then I went to Odori and bought a couple of things. I promised the girl, Aya, who works in the men's store Wild Party that I would come again on my birthday, where I had money haha. So I did as I promised and bought a nice shirt meanwhile. Unfortunately he wasn't there, so I didn't get to see him. Sadly. I also went to buy a polaroid camera, which I absolutely LOVE. Best thing EVER. And I bought some boots - they're pretty cool if you ask me
It's an amazing gift - which I have yet to thank them for! Damn, see how busy I've been? I haven't even had time to thank my OWN family for sending my 51.000 yen, about 4.000 DKK
So after this I met with some school friends who would be going to my house to make takoyaki, which is some super nice Japanese food that I absolutely love. First we took some purikura, of course, and then we headed for the train. At Sumikawa we did some shopping and then we went to my house and started making takoyaki. We made it for hours and ate for hours, it was amazing! We also talked and watched bones during it + I misused my new polaroid camera big time.
Not much later the family came home. We went to this amazing restaurant in Asahikawa. It's so small and cozy and it's on the top of a kind of tall building, it doesn't look fancy on the outside - not the slightest - but on the inside everything is just amazing. I mean, it was all black and red and it had the lights dimmed and played some really nice cozy music. Best of all, was the amazing night view though. It was so beautiful, I was legit surprised! Also really happy though. The food there was also amazing and we had a great time eating, talking and just enjoying ourself. When it was time for dessert they came with a cute little cake for me, with my name and everything on. I was so surprised! I loved every bite of it. After that the REAL dessert came haha, that one was only mine - even though everyone helped eating it.
On the way home the host father and I stopped to buy some onigiri for Wednesdays lunch. It didn't take much time, but when we came home I found out that we did it because he had to keep me occupied while the others went home and made the REAL cake ready. It was the cutest thing ever. They were just about to ask me what the cake was when I blurted "OMG JINGISKAN!" turns out I was right. They actually made my cake look like a lamb, which is the meat jingiskan - which I love - is made of. It was so damn cute, I felt bad for eating it haha, but the taste was definitely worth it. It had fresh strawberries inside it and it was so nice and whipped creamy haha.
Definitely an amazing 17th birthday! Worth remembering and I loved every minute of it.
The next couple of days in school, my friends handed my presents! They're so nice! Haha.
Now to the Debate Tournament;
We've been training debate in early mornings, after school and in weekends just for this moment! The research and practice had been amazingly hard and boring at times, so I was not really pumped for the tournament. Also with stage fright, having to say a 4 minute long speech isn't fun.
It was the first time ever that I did a real debate match. I was so shaking nervous that you can't even imagine, especially with the judges just sitting looking at you, taking notes etc. but it went well and we won the first match. I was SO happy, you have no idea and I gained a little more confidence for the next one. In the first we were the Affirmative team, but out Negative constructive speech was, and is, a lot better so therefore I was really pumped that we won!
The next match we were Negative team and it went just as well, so I got even more pumped. Then we had one more match before lunch, we where also Negative in this one and we won again. The 3 first matches EVER and you won them all? Damn. How can you not be extremely happy and pumped. I definitely was, and honestly still is haha. It was SO much fun. Of course it wasn't just me who won, my team was AMAZING, without them I wouldn't have survived, they knew how to calm me down and make me less nervous, it was really nice.
After lunch the winners were announced and you would see who went on to the tournament. The tournament was in front of EVERYONE, instead of a little room with some judges and a couple of viewers only. It was very discomforting, but nonetheless, I was still SO happy when they announced that my team was on to the tournament! We went up to the stage and had our first tournament match. We was Negative team, which took a little of the pressure I was feeling off. It was a little more intimidating standing in front of that many people, even though it wasn't even that many - so apparently, Sarah told me, I laughed a lot - especially when I made mistakes, because that's apparently what I do when I get nervous now haha. I guess that is better than start crying and black out - that I used to. Japan really does amazing things for me! But well, we won this one as well. We were all PUMPED. No kidding.
So after that we only had one match left, the final match that would say if we won the whole thing or just came in second. It was kind of scaring, since we were against the team that won the last three years in a row (the debate tournament has only been her for three years, this is the fourth - so no one else have ever won). We were lucky enough to get Affirmative side. Even though it isn't our strongest speech, but they heard our Negative while they watched us go against the other team right before, so it was indeed lucky. We worked hard and never has a match been this hard either though. They were indeed a strong team with a lot of good questions etc. it was harder. When the time came for the judges to tell us who won, I really didn't know what to expect and I just sat there waiting. Tension rushing over me. Then they announced, that the winners of the 4th debate tournament was indeed Sapporo Sacred Heart All-Girls School - which is my school! I was so happy, it legit just flushed through me! What are the odds winning a whole tournament without losing ONCE the first time EVER that you do debate matches? Definitely gave my self confidence a boost. I'm so freaking happy.
Now we're back at the research etc. though, next month we have to got to another tournament over two days, I can't wait, but I'm also scared. It's the ALL Hokkaido tournament, so it'll be all the strongest teams from all over Hokkaido. It'll be a lot harder and there'll be a lot more all-boy teams, Sarah told me, and they are really strong. Guys have strong and natural loud voices, which you really need in debate - so I'm a little concerned about all that, I just hope we can win again and I'll do whatever I can to make us win! Especially, if we win - we'll be going to Chiba in December for, maybe the all Japan tournament, I'm not sure what it is - I just know it's in Chiba and you get there if you win first or second place in the all Hokkaido one. I really do want to go to Chiba, which isn't that far from Tokyo, but still, it would be one hell of an experience and it would probably do my stage fright good - because I'm sure the audience gets bigger and bigger the further we get haha and of course, our competition better and better as well - which I'm a little afraid about! All I can do is work hard and that's definitely what I'm going to do! Cross your finger, say a prayer and wish me luck - would mean the world to me.
After the tournament I went out with Mikko. It was super fun, we went to the Visual Styled café and ate and drank while listening to Visual Kei music and talking about various things. We also looked through some Visual Kei magazines and all in all had a super time. We then went to take purikura, of course, it was super as always. I always forget how nice it is to hang with her. She really is a nice girl and an amazing friend! After the purikura we went to 4pla and bought me a new piercing and a new piercing ball for my other one. The we went to the men's store floor. There we went to Wild Party to see if Aya was there, but only Gori was there. He is always extremely funny though, so we had a blast. He took pictures of us and made a announce on the stores blog that we were young and single, so people should come haha. I then bought a cheap, but cute, t-shirt and then we went home again. It was all amazingly fun, as always!
Now, Today;
Today was nice, I was at school and was legit so tired that I fell asleep in more than one lesson, haha, good going Erika. I had been up late the night before to do debate research, that says a little about it, right? I didn't know I could get this absorbed in something like debate, something that involves proving a point, loud voices and an audience - I guess life really is full of surprises, huh?
But after school today, I went to buy a new ball for my piercing, since I seem to lose these small balls all the freaking time. I bought a new one last week and actually lost it the same day, come on Erika - get yourself together haha.
On my way up to the 7th floor I saw him going down the opposite escalator and I almost fell on my ass in bare shock haha, he didn't see me though, which probably was for the best, since my face most have looked pretty surprised. I bought the piercing, went to the toilet and put it in my mouth - that sounds very wrong - and then I went down to the 6th floor. Knowing that he works on the 5th I looked down the escalator, because you can always see his feet if he's standing with nothing to do and it seemed he were. So I went around in some circles, gathering myself, then I went down the escalator. At the time I went down I couldn't see his feet anymore though, but I then saw him from the side of my eyes. I also saw that he saw me and hurried to where he normally stands. Then he waved at me with a big smile, the smile that always melts my heart, and I went straight to him. He looked amazing and cute as always and I must admit that I'm kind of pretty much falling for this guy haha. We talked a little, when his coworker came over and asked me "Hey, aren't you the girl who REALLY likes him?" and I didn't know what to do, because yes I am, but how does he know? Did Mikko tell him? She's the only one who knows that I do here and who actually know the people on this floor haha, so I kind of just smiled uncomfortable not knowing what to do. He then asked if I was half, when I said no he complimented my Japanese - yay - and then he complimented my bracelets etc. then he started mocking him and me saying we should start dating etc. and I just couldn't help having a big smile glued to my face, thinking damn how I wish haha, then he went away again and I talked a little more with the guy I like. We came to the conclusion that I have to come back Saturday, at Saturday he'll give me his UVERworld iPhone cover. Such a nice guy, I can't wait to get it haha. I have to find something to give him as well though and I have NO idea what to give him... Oh well, I guess I'll figure it out. I just wish I could get or give him my mail address without being to obvious, like having a good reason for it. I think I have one that MIGHT be able to work, but I'm not completely sure and that makes it dangerous, since I come there a lot with my friend and then have to see him haha.
Saturday I'm also going out with Emma in Miyanosawa, I can't wait! It'll be so much fun! The day after that, there's an AFS event, will probably also be fun, after the event Por-chan will come. THAT I can't wait till, it'll be so good seeing and having her here again, damn I missed her.
Other pictures;
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| Thanks to my lovely friends, Pernille, Sofie, Amalie, Maria, Maria and Nadja for this amazing birthday gift of Danish Candy <3 |
Well, that's all for now! I hope I'm not too busy and then can keep you updated a lot more. Anyway, thanks for reading and having patience with me!
Take care!!
