Last year I decided I wanted to get back into Japanese. My motivation for many things took a serious down turn in 2020…
Work then start off hot on 3 January and hasn’t slowed down, making my study plan stay as a plan. Also, training new staff has added to the general press of the work day.
But today I took a step in the direction I planned for January – I got my books out and dusted them off. It’s a step forward and it’s still in January so win win.
がんばります！
I decided to take a short overnight in Knysna last week. In part to help my sister move her last furniture items and in part to do a some of the walks around the area and have a brain break.
I’ve been to Knysna two or three times in June/July and the weather has been nice – cool and sunny.
Not last week – the wind was freezing and it started raining on Tuesday.
Nature walks didn’t happened – ke ke ke
But I did have some good coffee at Aweh Brew and an amazing burger at Merry. And, of course, bought books at Knysna Book Exchange.
Expo 2020
Louvre
The Frame
With a spot of Burj Khalifa.
A little unplanned for Saturday morning but I did want to go on one. I could have spent the rest of the afternoon on it. Being the only one on the boat added to the experience.
This is one of the most spectacular buildings I’ve ever been to. Everything about it was so beautiful. Free to enter but you need to register for a pass, takes about a minute. There is also a free cultural tour which I recommend.
I was keen to see the Dubai Creek so even though I was slightly hungover and tired from a night out in the desert, I took a walk and was surprised to find a major river 😀
Next up was Old Town Dubai.
Old Town was very beautiful but, for me, too clean and sterile. It looked old but didn’t feel old, even though much of the original is intact. It was also early so a lot of the resturants were closed and almost nobody was there – I feel like there may be a completely different vibe in the evening. There were a lots of art places as well.
Landed in Dubai on Wednesday night and two hectic work days – interview shoot, audition, workshop and two last minute event confirmations plus the usual admin. All while knackered. Next week doesn’t look nearly as mad so that’s good.
When I was in Japan, I bought a Totoro scene and it hung out in my display case with no issue. I didn’t take the display case when we moved so had no place to keep it and had it in a drawer for ages – I was worried the cats would loose the soot sprites.
When I started watching Hanabira, I knew what I wanted to do with the scene but had to wait until I found the right vessel – a kitchen storage jar with cork lid.
I only have watercolours so that’s what I used for the base.
After some placement and thought, I glued the scene in place.
Safe and sound in the Totoro terrarium.
Aki was going to Plett so I thought I’d tag along to check it out. It’s got some really lovely aspects like lots of pavements and zebra crossings but over all it’s a bit strange. It doesn’t have a seaside vibe and the people are rather unfriendly and stare/glare. It’s like a suburb that happens to be next to a beach. There are some very nice looking high street type areas with shops and restaurants but the people are so off putting.
It might have a different feel during season. But I did like all the pavements. JBay definitely needs pavements – it’s either grass or gravel, or swamp and mud when it rains.
Nantalith Teglan 