** Day 1 14:30. **

Arrived in Amman. I had a walk around the city without really knowing where to go but I managed to find the tourist info. The guy there kept saying ‘welcome to Jordan’ whenever I said thank you. Anyway, saw the very impressive amphitheatre and gazed up at the citadel on the hill. Ended up walking back to the hotel though. Hungry, tired and I seem to still have hayfever here! Dammit!

Anyways, it’s still like 2pm. Think I’ll take it easy in my room for a bit and then head out a lil later. I’m here again for a while on the last day I think too. Only thing I know of at the moment is the citadel and the new museum that opened.

But yea, can’t get that comment out of my head. Do people say that if they’re kidding? ‘w’ is such a vague thing, difficult to tell if it’s meant to be read as a joke or something uplifting. I keep thinking I should have replied with a better comment than ‘I’ll send you a postcard’, so stupid! I should have said, 「本当にいいのそんなこと言っちゃって？電話しちゃうかもよ」or something equally smooth but yet portraying my gratitude and feeling.

I come half way round the world to sit in my room and tap out the same thoughts I have in Tokyo… I am insane.

–

** Day 2 07:08. **

I feel absolutely knackered this morning. My mind is a bit out of it too but my body is aching; i guess it’s the long flight and prob the non-work thing causing all the tension to seep out.

Anyways, met the group yesterday… Well those that had arrived. They seem a nice bunch. Looks like I’ll be the youngest again. If you’re wondering – there wasn’t anyone interesting in that sense. So much for eye candy! I am such a chauvanistic pig – not sure if that’s how you use that word. But yea, seriously have to sort that part of my life out. I really do need to stop with the unreachable and fall for someone obtainable yet just as good. Hmm, that didn’t sound right. You know what i mean though right? No boyfriends, no complications, just plain ole fashioned boy meets girl and magic happens kind of thing!

Back to reality. It’s 7am, today we are heading to Jaresh, or some place starting with J. Going to be an hour drive and then a couple hours of walking around to take in the sights. Yesterday was a start but the real deal starts today! …best get ready, grab breakfast and all that

–

** Day 2 21:59. **

Had a fabulous day exploring the exceptionally well preserved Roman ruins at Jaresh. We heard the distinctly Scottish influenced bagpipes of Jordanian music. Walked through the columned colonade and saw amazing theatres.

I was privileged to have lunch with three other girls whose conversation topics ranged from pick ip lines to plastic surgery, accents and underwear. I wad pretty much speechless throughout!

The evening we dined at a place called books@cafe which was an eclectic modern cafe / lounge place with good western food. I had shisha for the first time since graduating uni and let me tell you, it was sooo good. Clean pipes, smooth, silky, deliciously mellowing! Mmm.

Anyway, pretty content to fall asleep now!

One last episode. I had a missed call from home; I was slightly worried as I knew they wouldn’t call as they knew I was abroad. After killing my bank balance with data roaming, I checked my mail to find out that they didn’t know I was away already! My mum got the answer machine and thought the Jordanian Arabic message was Russian! Hilarious!

But yea, tomorrow we head to the Dead Sea! Gawd, wish I hadn’t slackened off with my beer gut and weedy arms! Eugh!

Still thinking…no answers yet though…

–

** Day 3 22:27. **

Dead sea. Citadel. Irish pub. Hellish cab ride.

Today was spent mostly relaxing by the dead sea. It was an extraordinary experience to just float on water without effort but i was also very aware that my body was just not used to that feeling with my abdominal muscles tort the entire time.

Anyway, saw a group of young Japanese girls there. It’s strange how in the same way as moths are drawn to flames, people are drawn to other people of similar backgrounds. The funny thing is that I’m not exactly your typical Japanese. I don’t look japanese, I don’t really act it and I definitely wasn’t brought up in that sort of environment. However, I still like Japanese girls. Maybe it’s lower standards in my part, or maybe it’s just that japan has more beautiful women, but I find a lot more eye catching Japanese girls than western women. Having said that my standards are high so in terms of dateable rating they wouldn’t quite hit it.

Anyway, back on track. After the Dead Sea, we had a massive barbecue lunch, which consisted of humus, and other dips with pita bread followed by a wrap style mixed grill. Very tasty!

The citadel was very interesting but what really caught my attention was the view. Although hazy with all the dust, the view over the city was breathtaking. A little rudhed for time but a wonderful experience.

The evening we went into the modern city centre with the shopping colonade lined with western brands such as Zara, Adidas, etc Dinner was a light affair with a wrap at a local Lebanese style fast food joint. The night was rounded off at s smelly smokey Irish pub.

To get to the city centre we took a cab again. This totally pissed me off. Crammed 4 in the back seat with be singled out for slaughter; I had to hang on to the handle above the door and float above the seat as there was literaly no room. I really don’t know why he didn’t just ask for another cab. It’s ridiculous how much money I spent on this trip and he skimps out on these little things. A lot of bad thoughts went through my head during that agonising few minutes.

I don’t know if it’s just coz I was tired or coz I’m no linger used to European beer but the Amstel was difficult to drink. I started missing my Premium Malts. Ah well…

** Day 4. **

Mt Nebo
Church
Wadi Al Mujib Dam
Al Karaj Castle

–

** Day 5. **

Petra horseride
Treasury
Tombs
Amphitheatre
Royal tombs
Church
Monastry
View at the End of the world
The great temple
High place of sacrifice
Petra. By Night – candle lit walk to the Treasury

–

** Day 6. **

Visitor centre
Wadi rum
Jeep safari
Night walk

–

** Day 7. **

Aqaba
Glass boat
Free dinner due to ’slow service’
Mosquitto bitten face

–

** Day 8. **

Drive to Amman
Books@cafe

–

** Day 9 08:20. **

The last couple of days have been tough physically. After a night un the desert my face and my right hand was littered with mosquito bites. Knowing that I am incredibly alergic to these bites makes me feel incredibly stupid for not using the mosquito net provided . Anyway, that totally sapped my energy, which was not helped when I started throwing up at 3am the following morning. Maybe it’s totally unrelated or maybe it was but having had 10+ bites my body prob was not in the best state. I felt queezy for the entire day yesterday with cold shivers and a feverish temperature; not the nicest way to wrap up my vacation. I just hope it’s not serious and has no lasting affects.

My flight back home is in the afternoon today so I plan to stay in bed until my late checkout – that’s at least another 4 hours before I have to move.

–

** The Summary. **

This trip has been an eye-opener to Jordan and the whole Arabic region. This country is probably one of the more liberalised and westernised but it has given me a gear insight into this part of the world. I hope to return to the Middle East at some point in the future.

I had minimal knowledge of this country, the people, or even the places I would be visiting. Part of me is glad I didn’t read up anything as I had no preconceptions; from the bustling city life of Amman to the traditional simple lifestyle of the Bedouins in the depths of the desert, I was moved at every point.

I thought the only highlight before the trip would be Petra but I was very wrong. The jeep ride into the Wadi Rum desert, the spectacular Roman ruins at Jaresh, the strange sensation of floating in the Dead Sea… So many memories.

I can understand the reluctance to visit such a volatile part of the world but from my experience over the past week, i have probably felt a lot safer on this trip than even travelling in the States or South America. Jordan is safe. I really would recommend this place as a destination to visit.

We had a social event with the new-grads from N today, including the non-IT people. What I’ve realised from tonight is the following:

1. I apparently don’t look J
2. Once that it’s been accepted that I am pure J, it doesn’t matter that I can speak E at all.
3. J speaking foreigners are cooler than E speaking J.

I’ve realised that I’ve only ever been told that I’m “kakkouii” from guys for being able to speak E fluently. I think girls prefer J speaking gaijin. Despite highlighting my foreign routes, having a very typical J name makes it extremely difficult to appeal through that route, especially with people involved with foreign companies.

I’ve also been told, for the first time, that I have this “majime” (serious) aurora. It was the first time I’ve been told so frankly that I look serious but then again, they didn’t say it was wrong or a bad thing. Admittedly I cannot deny that I am more serious than anything else. I really don’t know how to react to that.

Fwhhhh *sigh*, how I do go on from here… I think my only selling point is that I’m BBJ, and that doesn’t seem to be as amazing as I thought it’d be. Being surrounded by gaijin J speakers makes it very difficult to use that.

Tonight, Manchester United were crowned Champions of Europe. Along with winning the English Premier League 10 days ago, that makes them double winners. The match tonight started off as a classic encounter between two heavy weights of the English league with an enthralling first half of end to end football. The Reds dominated possession and the ball for large parts of the first half but a lapse in concentration and some unfortunate deflections left the score drawn at half time. The second half was all Blue and my heart stopped with every wave of attack by Chelsea. It didn’t look like Man U were likely to score, but thankfully, I also believed that with each clearance of another Chelsea attack, neither were the Blues.

So, the match went into extra time with some weary legs out there, and clutching my red squishy cushiony thing (I don’t know the technical term for the squishy cushiony thing I have) I watched extra time. Things were turning ugly with fouls, tempers flaring and a lack of beautiful football. An altercation between some of the players ended up with a number of players yellow carded and Drogba sent off. Penalties was imminent.

Anyway, as most of you will no doubt have read the reports or watched the game live, I will stop with this commentary. Suffice to say, I had a feeling Ronaldo may miss but I have never thought of Terry as a penalty taker and so it proved. Along with the fantastic save by the great Dutchman (not quite a Great Dane), the trophy was ours! Woooo~~

Barraged with a lottery of text messages from various parties, some celebratory and others slightly hostile, I sit here in the afterglow of another entertaining night of football. I can’t wait until the Euros!

1999 was a special year. A treble winning season and those two spectacular late goals, is a feeling unmatched. I have to mention the legend that is Ryan Giggs. He didn’t play a massive part in tonight’s game but he is one of a kind. It’s a shame he’s Welsh but along with Paul Scholes, they are truly Manchester United. Many great players have pulled on the red shirt over the years, Cantona, Solskjaer, Schmeichel… the list goes on and all were great players of the past decade but no one can say that Giggs has not played his part in shaping the history at the great club. ….woooo football is awesome!!!

Walking back slowly from the station home after an evening out celebrating the end of our finals, a number of thoughts passed through my mind. I have always been a pretty serious minded individual and the things I think about really do reflect that at times; it feels completely different after a few drinks.

I was feeling somewhat jaded after the exam and not really in the mood for drinking but luckily my mood picked up. Anyway, I’ve always found it difficult to comprehend the thoughts and actions taken by others whilst under the influence, and today was no different. I won’t go into the details and swiftly move on to commenting on these thoughts.

I realised again today how amazing this city is. I really do love London. Being born and bred in this great city, it is difficult to imagine living and loving another place. The months I spent in Tokyo last year were definitely a life changing experience but nothing compares to the depth and strengh of attachment I have with this beautiful capital. People talk bout the culture and the people of a place but tonight I saw the beauty of the city itself. Walking down the South Bank, the beauty of this wonderful city was nearly overwhelming.

I leave in mid-August and I’m away for most of July, meaning I only have around 2 months in London. There are so many things I want to do in this city; so many sights to soak up before I depart. I know I’ve talked about this so many times before and no doubt I will again, but it really is a topic so close to my heart. Not many things move me but at times like this I realise…. this city will always be home.

After a long days work of revision, I thought I’d share my wonderful revision techniques with you:

1. Use colour for visual stimulation:

I suggest different colours to emphasise different points. Another technique is layering so once the initial notes have been made, add more scribbles to highlight key points. In my case, I just write the key points with a big red highlighter pen.

2. Cue cards/post-its also help:

I suppose it helps if the cue cards were for the relevant module.

3: Regular breaks prevent brain fatigue, so I take a look outside:

It’s amazing how interesting the London Eye is. I also saw 2 Chinooks, 3 RAF fighter jets, possibly Typhoons, a few regular helicopters, and private jets on their approach to City airport, a few birds and a man out that window today. The man was a surprise – not being on the ground floor it isn’t everyday that people walk by your window. There is a walled ledge though – design feature or maintenance practicality?

4. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably non-alcoholic.

5. Sleep, which is what I’ll be doing soon ^^

is there something wrong DoC email or is it just me. I’ve received over 200 spam in the last hour.

I read today that the Royal Mint has decided to roll out a new design on 7 out of the 8 coins of legal tender from this summer; the first wholesale redesign in 40 years. According to the BBC News article linked below, the Mint held a competition for the redesign and decided the new design will all bear part of the royal coat of arms. My first impression of the new design was not spectacular. I did not like the lack of overall symmetry in the placement of the designs. I know that none of the coins now are symmetrical but they do all have their various designs placed centrally; the new designs don’t. With the series of coins each featuring a part of the coat of arms it would admittedly have been difficult to fulfil that criteria, which leads me to think that I don’t really like the redesign.

I have no qualms against a redesign per se, and I have no strong objection in the removal of Britannia off the 50p coin, but I do feel that I would have preferred some more variety across the coins. At least they’re not taking the current coins out of circulation and by the time the new redesign is in full circulation I will most likely not be in the country!

Another small point, the 50p is also going to be the other way up now with the point facing downwards rather than upwards.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7326491.stm

** may contain spoilers **

So, I just watched the pre-mature season finale to “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”.  It definitely ended on a massive cliffhanger and I was definitely not expecting it. I really do hope that it’s not the first casualty of the Writers’ strike and returns for a full second season. The show definitely had a strong religious undercurrent with Agent Ellison quoting passages from the Bible throughout the series. It gave the series an extra dimension along side the gripping action sequences of Terminators and humans busting some moves.

Some memorable moments of the short 9 hour chronicling of Sarah and John Connor’s lives include references to the Terminator trilogy, such as Cameron wearing the Police biker uniform + shades a la T1000. Direct conversational references to past characters, such as Kyle Reese and John’s foster parents and so forth. Further, the time-travelling nakedness remains true to the films with the super strength and bizarre trains of thought by Cameron being equally intriguing.

The show started off a bit slow after the premiere but had definitely picked up to a good pace with the plot unfolding very nicely over the past few episodes. I’d be lying if I said I understood everything that has gone on… but I’m not lying when I say I’ll be damned peeved if it does end up being terminated!

On a similar note, today was my last ever day of lectures. With the spring term of my fourth and final year at university drawing to a close, all I have stretching before me are exams, project work and then graduation. I was somewhat overwhelmed with excitement prior to my final hour of lectures; it was a Distributed Algorithms lecture, which is not the most exciting of topics. I believe the expectation of the occasion outstripped reality and it ended up being somewhat of an anti-climax. Boredom, playing games on my phone, and lack of paying attention ensued.

Anyway, it’s over. Apparently university has taught me all that it needs/wants to. I don’t really know how I feel to be honest. I can’t say that I’m exactly looking forward to graduation but neither do I wish to go through it all again from the first year, or even do another year of studying. I think it’s been just about the right length of time.

Tomorrow is iNite day. Rehearsals from early in the morning and the actual performance in the evening. I’m not entirely sure whether I’ll get a chance to do any work tomorrow…

but yeah, a lot of things haven’t really sunken in of late….

• moving to Japan
• end of university
• iNite tomorrow
• project work
• other stuff…

Ok, I just got bitten on the arm by some stupid insect thing, the kind where it leaves a lil pin-head red mark where it sucked out my blood. Anyway, I thought I’d do what all animals do in “the kingdom”, lick it. It didn’t taste very nice. Not gross gross, but just not exactly fresh n tasty… i.e. there are people in this world that are far more lick-able than I am.

Anyway, on to today’s main topic.

For some bizarre reason I haven’t really advertised the fact that I’ve finally decided where I’m going post graduation. I suppose having not actually sent off the contract nor informed the other firms of my decision, it hasn’t quite been made official yet. I sort of want to celebrate with a big dinner or something. I also will most likely figure out something closer graduation date and when I embark on my life beyond university.

Anyway, I went to the library yesterday and I realised something…. there are so many people at the university I go to that I’ve never spoken to, met or even seen before. If I list all the people I really know, I doubt I’ll even be able to list one person from every course available. I doubt I’ve even spoken to anyone from some of the courses. Reflecting on this thought in the library – whilst hunting for references for my individual project – I realised that earlier that day I looked around the computer lab in my department and didn’t recognise a majority of the people there any more. I suppose it makes sense as all the people I’ve encountered over the years I’ve been in the department have been from years above n possibly the year below. All these new faces, be it first or even second years, just reminds me how fast time can really go by.

I’ve had these moments that make me realise how big the world is, and how much older I’ve become since starting uni, have come more and more regularly in the past months; I suppose ever since my return from Japan back in September. The most recent moment was in the pub yesterday when the conversation turned to how young the people at the Union were compared to us. 17, 18 year olds compared to our 22, 23… that’s nearly an age gap of five years! A quarter….. wait, not even a quarter of my life any more….

Thinking about that has just reminded me of another conversation I had with some Japanese friends. In Japan we have era names beside the traditional year, with a new era traditionally starting on the ascension of a new Emperor. It is currently the 20th year of the Heisei era. The era before was known as Showa. I was born in Showa 59th year of the Showa era.  There are 64 “years” in the Showa period, although the 64th year is actually only 1 week as the previous Emperor died in the first week of January and therefore the first year of the Heisei period started from that point onwards.

Anyway, besides that short cultural interlude, my point was that there are now people starting university that are born in a totally different era to I am. Now that is a scary thought!

Despite my recent inability to let myself relax, the draining of confidence in my own abilities and the immense pressure of expectation I have built around me, my mind keeps turning…

So, as my time in this small closed world of childhood and student life draw to a close, I find myself staring at an immensely wide horizon feeling slightly older…. yet I also feel amazed and energised by what the future and this big big world will bring forth…