Crimson blazed spirit in a crimson blazed wind

Oh, hello again! It has been a while.

So on to the blogpoint and first things first!

I'm fresh out of my now over kendo tournament and HYPED to the unbelievable max!!! Still!!! And it's already 7 hours since my match. (I show no signs of cooling down and I have school tomorrow... whaaat?!)

All the feelings I experienced these last two days were like sum ups of everything through my life through a veil of a Japanese spirit. Yesterday were the team matches, which our girls won, but there were some mishaps, dissatisfaction and other more personal (team) emotions piled up, which made it almost 'magically' human. And it was my first time experiencing such atmosphere, also being part of that sphere. I can't really put it into words (the counter for this saying is running high). It was just so. Human. Without all the negative. Just that.

And so today was my first kendo match! During the singles.

I lost! :D And I'm proud of it. Why? Because I didn't lose in the first couple of seconds or even minutes! One match lasts for 4, just so you know. And I can tell that my opponent didn't have it easy with me either, though our experiences were 5 months against at least 5 years (probably more, but for literary reasons, let's keep it that way). Anyway, I feel greatly awesomely magnificently hyperly human! Just almost exploding! But the part I'm most proud of is that I really gave it my all. Whilst dueling I experienced the real kiai spirit, the Real, real thing. I couldn't stay put after the face-off until the end of the day about 5 o'clock. (I got a banana cake from the mother gang, or the usual cheerleaders of Japan after that :) )

I was and still am and will be really touched by everyone's almost feverish support they showed my during my match. I didn't see anyone besides my opponent, but everyone's voice and advice reached me like a stainless steel filet cutter. Only focus on what you need, let your body do the thinking and just 'dance' with your opponent, eyes and senses wide open. That's kiai for you. I definitely have a new addiction now, so all of you beware! Adrenaline kiai rush, woohoo!

Even our usually extremely harsh teacher looked proud after my duel, even though I didn't make it out of the first rounds. And he's the type of person who doesn't tolerate losing. I'm really grateful for his kind words and understanding before and after that too. :)

Also my host mum and sister with her friends came to watch too. I tried to search for them in the balconies, but with no result. But they said that they saw me, so I'm happy. Having got home we had a little feast to celebrate my memorable day. :) Just so, so sweet of a life! Everything seems so simple and clear and possible now for some reason. Maybe it's KIAI!!! :D

So tomorrow, I'm going to the dojo to return my tournament gear and give everyone some 'thank you' doughnuts (sounds... strange. Simply put). Then I'm on 1 month vacation to study in depth for my Japanese exam in December. After that I'm going back to kendo till the end of my exchange year. You can't believe how painful it is to write these two words.

And speaking of endings, my friends today were in a near panic and some asking with tears welling up 'You aren't leaving for good, are you?!' When I succeeded explaining them my situation the next thing was 'After returning you must come everyday until you're too tired to go home (country).' What a persistent bunch. But that's the reason why I love them to death. And the reason I'm not feeling like going home. Where I 'belong', because I feel currently that I must have belonged here all the time. There are many upsides and downsides in leading double lives (which necessarily doesn't mean a spy. Every exchange student would know what I'm talking about. The meaning of the feeling changes with the time spent in your destination country. Been there, still doing that.)

But besides kendo, over the past blog apsent month I've been slowly but steadily preparing for my exam, going to school diligently, also traveling around Akita pref with my mum and sister (as you might have seen in my photos on FB) and enjoyed the changing seasons. Autumn really is the best. One whiff of that cool earthern damp air made me feel like I was reborn, literally. Just one day, PUFF!, a different person. Just cleared up the clouds in my head. Not to mention the Japanese shun (seasonal) cuisine. Currently chestnuts, potatoes, fresh rice, delicious fish and fruits. I'm living in a treasure chest! :D

So how's autumn over there? Still curious about the outside world, because believe it or not Japan still is quite a closed society outside the metropolis. :)

For now, toodles! I'm going to sing my lungs out before bed, so I could sleep soundly tonight. Even when just for an hour. Anyone care to share some really efficient ways to cure temporary hyper activity? (shivers)

Hails hoy!

Love you all :)

PS If anyone wants to see my kendo match, send me an e-mail and I'll post you the video.

Where have all the crimson red leaves gone? (They're yet to come.)

Oh dearest me, I've been away for too long.

Hello again and sorry for the absence!

I'm back at school after an amazing summer break full of 'The Japan' (sounds like champagne in my head for some odd reason) and for the blast off the week before last we had a sports' festival over the course of 3 days, which was a first for me. Usually it's only 1 day in my 'home school', but triple it and it's a lot more fun. There were no grades, no teachers critiquing, but teachers running! Yay! Loved it. We had a lot of games, hurdles, races, team challenges and so on.

But after that began the usual (as usual as it can be for me under the circumstances) school days with kendo and Kumon language study (only K and L left!).

As of now, it's week 3 from the last half of my exchange year.

Oh my lord.

Which brings me to the topic about the big plans I still have, which I also wanted to share on this blog for a long time -

I'm going to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) on December 5th, which will probably be in Miyagi prefecture in the capital of Tohoku - Sendai city. I'm yet to decide which level I'm going to take, but currently I'm between the 1st and the 2nd one, the former being the highest grade. I didn't consider it myself (I was rather between 2 or 3), but my YFU rep suggested me to take the challenge, but I'm really uneasy about even just thinking about it. 2 sounds nice... so what would it be?

But as for kendo, my teacher is determined to put me in a competition for newcomers (read: novices) in the beginning of November. I'm going to a kendo tournament people.

*edit* (I got to know that it's an open tournament, in which anyone who wants can join (including pros, shivering!) and that it's on 2~3 November.)

When I first heard about his plan I was in a state of utmost shock. I didn't know what to say or in what language I should say it. My friends were almost the same. They just clapped their hands with their mouths opened in amazement. The only thing I heard them say was 'sugoi' (awesome) or 'arienai hodo rakkii da bee' (You're a unbelievably lucky little bugger, aren't cha?).

But it's decided and today I heard the news that their ordering the tare (name flap) for me and all the preparations for the gear are already running. I just need to make my name into kanji so wish me luck as to not make it have a seriously weird meaning.

What am I going to do?! I'm really fired up for the match, but there's still some inklings of uneasiness left about the whole ordeal. I only have about a month and a half left for training (add that to the time I've been in kendo so far and you get around 4 months of practice overall!) and soon after the tournament I need to start giving my all for the JLPT test.

What a life!!!

Also the test is going to be just around my birthday as you might know, which makes it some sort of a present. A peculiar idea for a gift I must say.

I've already ordered and received some guide books and example questions but I'm quite at a loss about the levels. Well, just need to make it quick and permanent. I have a lot of teachers kind enough to give me some advice about it so I think I'm safe in all aspects.

I also need to go to the photographer's, but I think I should polish up my Shaggy mop-hair before that, which has taken over my face over the summer. It's quite ticklish and I have unbearable nose itches recently. Why am I saying it? Just for laughs ;) I don't want to turn into a Wookie either. Growl!

So that's that and no harm done, I'm sure. Just wanted to give a small heads up about my upcoming doings over here and how I've been keeping up.

Equals = EXCELLENTLY.

Merry goings to those over seas and high lands and a happy new school year!

Tschau pakaa!

Lots of love from Japan!

Hippari to sappari to to

Hipa! I hope everybody's doing well.

Have you ate pancakes recently?

I know I have.

As usual - kendo is still on going! Giving my best and stomping and screaming as much as I can. I think I've made some progress, but that's only logical I guess. I've also tried some kendo free fighting and I am a weasel. Slow, but still a weasel. Interpret it as you wish. Just give it a bit negative feeling.

On the other hand, the teacher told me that I might be able to enter a tournament for newcomers around the end of this year.

I AM SHOCKED.

But nonetheless overly happy! It's still a 'maybe' situation, but I'm doing my best to be ready when it should happen.

On a different note, on the 18th I went to eat kakikoori (shaved ice with syrup) with the 'Kendo Girls' (naming sense!). It's been quite some time since I last went out to do something relaxing after school and it really was fun! The place we went to was a through and through kakikoori restaurant (!) called Chawa, serving only ice and sugary liquids! I'm completely honest when saying that it serves the best shaved ice in Akita. I ordered one with a really fresh grapefruit jam on top and it was soooo good! :3 I also got to taste kiwi and mango from my friends too. Yummy yum yum omnomnom.

Also on that day I went to see Arrietty with my host mum and sister (just a day after the release! Yau!) which also was my first time going to a Japanese cinema. I must say that it is COMPLETELY different from the Estonian one. For instance we have no goods' shops there, which is somewhat a pity... but I got an Arrietty memo book and just for laughs I also bought a classic swirl lollipop. The big one. I still have most of it left. Ah, it's so nostalgic. I think I was 5 when I last ate one. :D Plus, there's no applauding in the hall after the end. Whu~?

(A heads up for those who don't know, Arrietty is the latest Ghibli Studio production. Be sure to go and see it. :)

Next time (if it actually comes) I want to see Toy Story too, one of my all time Disney favourites.

On Monday I had my YFU summer orientation (yippii!) in Hachimori Bunakkoland (almost the most upper part of Akita pref) which is famous for it's beech forests and seashore. It was a cloudy day, which was actually a blessing. Great for driving and for my poor, poor eyes, oh my.

I was happy to see my friends still alive and I was quite surprised to see so many short stay (American) students in Akita. I thought it was a quiet place concerning the matter of exchange study, but I guess I was wrong (which was good). After the introductions we went to trek the forest of Mononoke. Yep, it really looked exactly like the scenes from the movie, which is no wonder, because the backgrounds actually were inspired by the forests there. Unfathomable that I was lucky enough to go there. My heart almost stopped when I saw the first rapids of the river flowing under the tree branches, hitting the rocks by the riverside with high splashes and the sprinkles unexpectedly softly landing on my face. I almost could feel myself sinking into the forest.

After the breath taking experience, we had a huge barbeque, but it was quite tricky to eat without burning your fingers off. The grill was so damn glowing hot! But we all survived with minor casualties. Later with our tummies full, we all got to chat to our hearts content and relax. I also taught some Estonian to the exchange student going to Estonia in the beginning of next month, which was a novel feeling. Me? A teach? Naah! Unfortunately though we soon had to part ways again.

From that point 'quality family time' began. We jumped through the nearby Hatahata-kan onzen which had a wonderful view to the sea whilst you were soaking in a boat shaped bath on the veranda. Afterwards we went to eat garlic ramen nearby, which as my host dad said was quite famous around those parts. He was proven to be right quite soon. Late lunch anyone?Awesome garrrlic, delicious garrrlic, I'll sing to you about garrrlic. Reminded me of my mum's cooking a lot for some odd reason.

Anyway, no problems with vampires from now on.

Heh, like I've had any.

We arrived home quite late that night after a 2-hour drive, but on that night, over a long time, I slept soundly like I used to in my early ages. Sniff. The glory of children.

In the orientation I learned that I have a chance to go to a Junior Red Cross camp for 2 days during the last weekend of July. I decided that I'll go so I'm really giddy for it. What will happen there I wonder...

So for closure, I had a lot of fun time during the weekend past, but the best part was unquestionably the time when I felt like I actually got into the magnificent forest of Gods and Spirits of Ghibli Wonderland.

I'm planning to go there again sometime.

In person, in my dreams, by any means.

And speaking of Ghibli, Totoro is on so I'm flying.

(Sorry for the abruptness!)

Until next time and bye-bye! And thanks!

Sails hoy!

PS Photos will come later this week. Promise. Although there isn't much.

ンマツポース (nmatsupoosu)

And now on to the sports column!

(Seriously?)

Because one of the busiest tournament seasons is now over, I finally got to join my long waited, long wanted kendo club yesterday.

Feelings are through the roof and into the cosmos! !!

I'm going to have practices every day after classes till about 6~7 o'clock in the evening.

I have already attended 2 lessons and I must say kendo is bloody difficult! Which makes it triple the fun! Behold my kendo smiley! \o(^u^)"

Everybody (except me of course) is wearing the traditional helmet and hakama too. It looks So. Damn. AWESOME. Really smells like Edo spirit.

I have held a sword before (fencing) but the feeling is totally different. Also, kendo uses totally different muscles for handling the sword than fencing, which has already taken a tad bit of a toll on me. Ahhh, I could go on and on with this talk, because kendo really was the club I wanted to join from the very beginning of my exchange year in Akita. I just can't express my happiness in pixels! ^^ Fuaa~~

Oh! There's one more thing I realised during practice.

The racket. Listening to everybody's screaming the necessary 'kiai' type of yell, I really have no doubt where Tolkien got his Nazguls from. I find it mind-blowingly interesting. Ho hum.

As I mentioned - the tournament.

There is a huge annual sports festival called Inter-high (インターハイ) in which every prefecture is represented by the best of the best high school sports(wo)men, starting from baseball and ending with swimming and more.

This year, Kita High really gave its all. In the prefectural tournament, many sport clubs got the first place in both individual as well as team games and all of the clubs were in the Top 10 at least. There are about 4 teams and over 8 individuals going to Inter-High and many more going to the Touhoku region's contest.

This year's IH by the way is held in Okinawa in August! It will be hell for those playing outside, don't you think? (Yakihito - because we aren't chicken.)

One delightful thing is that most of the IH participants of Akita are from our school, which is a first in school history. I'm really happy and excited for everyone and rooting for them from the bottom of my heart and soul. oOo"

But there are always smaller kendo face-offs in between the tournaments too.

For example tomorrow.

I'm going as well, but just to cheer on and help my friends. And of course learn from their techniques. :)

Who knows, I might continue kendo back home too. But for now, the future stays unclear.

I better make a choice soon. Not just on sports, but my future overall, so... we shall see. :) Better to be sure than uncertain, right?

PS I found out that they DO have quite a long summer vacation here. It's 1 month long, from the second part of July till the end of August. Lucky, lucky, I'm so happy!

PSS SUMMER'S HERE AT LAST! We have around 25 degrees everyday, but soon the rainy season will begin. Oh well. Enjoy it, people, whilst you still can!

How is it over there anyway? Warm inside your hearts or outside too?

As always, lots of love and thanks from far away!

St. spl