Just got back from the good ol' 7-eleven shop. More about that later...
Today is probably the coldest day I'll experience in Hiroshima. Got down to minus 2 this morning, snow falling at different intervals throughout the day with a max of 2.4. Doesn't get much colder than that in the city here. Of course, colder in the country side and mountains. But, didn't seem that cold since I was inside with good heating most of the time. Went for a bit of a bike ride with David in the afternoon, but didn't get that cold.
Spent too long in my room tonight in front of the heater using my computer. Was doing a little chart on Japanese history as well as looking at the history of Christianity in Japan. It's interesting. But, was couped up too much, thinking too hard, and got a headache! Still have it. But, after getting up and finding there was something missing, I had to replace it.
Well, the missing item is essential and is what I bought at 7-eleven. Well, I found the toilet paper easy enough and made my purchse. Didn't need to lock the apartment since that shop is so close (1 min bike ride). And, in Japan, people just don't seem to brake in much or steal things! I don't know why, but it's great! May it continue.
25 January 2009
23 January 2009
New Year Holiday 2009
Photos on Picasa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/bradwarden/NewYearHolidays2009
Photos with narration on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gd6_L2wkHI
http://picasaweb.google.com/bradwarden/NewYearHolidays2009
Photos with narration on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gd6_L2wkHI
11 January 2009
First Work Day
Well, caught the overnight bus back from Kyoto this morning to Hiroshima to start work in a couple of hours. Really nice time in Kyoto. Stayed at a nice youth hostel in Utano (north Kyoto), went for a hot bath in the city, visited Heian Jingu and saw a bit of culture in Gion. Gion has a nice tradtional and cultural feel about it. Old-style buildings, people dressed in kimono, nice restaurants, and last night it was snowing a bit too.
So, made it back from the Australia trip. Now, after the terrible overnight bus trip (not good sleep), I'm surprisingly energetic! I don't' know why... it's Sunday morning and start of work... anway. Nice to be feeling good to start work. Only a 1 hour class today and tomorrow's a holiday, but then Tuesday it all starts.
So, happy new work year! Let's see what this year brings.
So, made it back from the Australia trip. Now, after the terrible overnight bus trip (not good sleep), I'm surprisingly energetic! I don't' know why... it's Sunday morning and start of work... anway. Nice to be feeling good to start work. Only a 1 hour class today and tomorrow's a holiday, but then Tuesday it all starts.
So, happy new work year! Let's see what this year brings.
07 January 2009
Last Night in Australia
Just in an internet cafe in Sydney trying to find a backpackers. Have to be at the airport in 9 hours. Looks like there's a reasonable backpackers not far from Town Hall station. I'll go there after finishing this blog.
Caught up with a Melbourne friend who lives in Sydney now. Nice to catch up. They're enjoying life here.
There's so much more grafitti in Australia compared to Japan, and, Australia is far more multi-cultural. Japan's demography is very homogenous. 99% of people are Japanese.
Last weekend caught up with friends in Melbourne. Well worth the very short stay of only 2 and a bit days, but far too short. Church was really good. Hadn't been to a good church in English for a long time. Really felt God's presence there. Felt a lot of spiritual and social release...
After living in Japan, Australia seems to relaxed about everything... at airports, at shops, at work, banks, and, of course, when people are on holidays too. Japan is a serious culture which doesn't seem to allow for mistakes, differences, things that are different, new, or unproven.
Since catching up with friends in Melbourne (mostly Chinese), I've realised how different the cultures in Japan and China are. Seems like I might like to do some more travel again. Kind of lost the travel bug after being in Japan a while, but picked it up again after coming home and mixing things up a bit.
My work finishes in August this year 2009. Not sure what to do after that. Might move on rather than stay another year. My experience in Japan has been really good. Might like to stay there a bit longer, but might be good to travel a bit first.
Well, the timer in the internet cafe is about to click off... I'll head to the backpackers, grab some sleep, get up 5:30 am, shower, catch train to airport, stop off at Gold Coast, fly to Tokyo, bus to Kyoto and home by Sunday.
God bless you.
Caught up with a Melbourne friend who lives in Sydney now. Nice to catch up. They're enjoying life here.
There's so much more grafitti in Australia compared to Japan, and, Australia is far more multi-cultural. Japan's demography is very homogenous. 99% of people are Japanese.
Last weekend caught up with friends in Melbourne. Well worth the very short stay of only 2 and a bit days, but far too short. Church was really good. Hadn't been to a good church in English for a long time. Really felt God's presence there. Felt a lot of spiritual and social release...
After living in Japan, Australia seems to relaxed about everything... at airports, at shops, at work, banks, and, of course, when people are on holidays too. Japan is a serious culture which doesn't seem to allow for mistakes, differences, things that are different, new, or unproven.
Since catching up with friends in Melbourne (mostly Chinese), I've realised how different the cultures in Japan and China are. Seems like I might like to do some more travel again. Kind of lost the travel bug after being in Japan a while, but picked it up again after coming home and mixing things up a bit.
My work finishes in August this year 2009. Not sure what to do after that. Might move on rather than stay another year. My experience in Japan has been really good. Might like to stay there a bit longer, but might be good to travel a bit first.
Well, the timer in the internet cafe is about to click off... I'll head to the backpackers, grab some sleep, get up 5:30 am, shower, catch train to airport, stop off at Gold Coast, fly to Tokyo, bus to Kyoto and home by Sunday.
God bless you.
02 January 2009
Happy 2009!
Began the year with Mum, Dad and Jared (my brother) at home watching the Sydney fireworks on TV in our Queensland home! Man, the Sydney fireworks were something... Must have been incredible to be there.
We drank some Maison, had our own little sparklers, took a photo and then I slept outside under the stars with my brother. The gum trees not far away, the odd shooting star, the insect sounds, and the cooler air made for nice sleeping.
Well, tonight's my last sleep here at home. Tomorrow I head to Melbourne to catch up with friends from church. Then to Newcastle on Monday to see Grandma and Pa and relatives for a few days. Then back to Tokyo on 8 Jan. I'll be in Kyoto 9 and 10 Jan, and then back in Hiroshima on 11 Jan for work.
Happy New Year! May the Spirit of Love and Peace fill your life this year.
We drank some Maison, had our own little sparklers, took a photo and then I slept outside under the stars with my brother. The gum trees not far away, the odd shooting star, the insect sounds, and the cooler air made for nice sleeping.
Well, tonight's my last sleep here at home. Tomorrow I head to Melbourne to catch up with friends from church. Then to Newcastle on Monday to see Grandma and Pa and relatives for a few days. Then back to Tokyo on 8 Jan. I'll be in Kyoto 9 and 10 Jan, and then back in Hiroshima on 11 Jan for work.
Happy New Year! May the Spirit of Love and Peace fill your life this year.
31 December 2008
End 2008 in Australia
After 16 months in Japan, I finally made it back to Australia for Christmas and New Year with family and friends. It's very nice to be back in my home country!
Finished work on 22 Dec, caught over night bus to Tokyo and did some sightseeing in Tokyo on the 23rd. It was the Emperor's birthday, so I went to see one of his public appearances. Plenty of Japanese flags and cheering! After that, visited the Australian Embassy, University of Tokyo, Ueno and Nihonbashi (where the "centre" of Japan is).
Then had to catch a train to Narita, but before I did, I had to get my stuff from the lockers in Tokyo station. Did you know how many shops, restaurants, lockers etc are in Tokyo station?!!! I spent more than half an hour trying to find the locker where my luggage was. Finally I asked someone and they asked me to show them the key of the locker. Dir! Then they told me where it was! I was starting to sweat because my flight was soon. Anyway, caught the Narita Express to the airport, borded the plan with no worries and heade for Australia with a nice night view of Tokyo in the distance.
Then, Australian culture hit me. The flight attendants were wearing santa claus hats! What a stark contrast to the the very professional, proper manner of most Japanese customer service people (even at McDonalds in Japan!). And, then began all the "Wow! Australia is so casual and relaxed" thoughts and expressions. And, also, "Haven't seen, heard, smelt, tasted etc. that for more than a year" thoughts came.
Finished work on 22 Dec, caught over night bus to Tokyo and did some sightseeing in Tokyo on the 23rd. It was the Emperor's birthday, so I went to see one of his public appearances. Plenty of Japanese flags and cheering! After that, visited the Australian Embassy, University of Tokyo, Ueno and Nihonbashi (where the "centre" of Japan is).
Then had to catch a train to Narita, but before I did, I had to get my stuff from the lockers in Tokyo station. Did you know how many shops, restaurants, lockers etc are in Tokyo station?!!! I spent more than half an hour trying to find the locker where my luggage was. Finally I asked someone and they asked me to show them the key of the locker. Dir! Then they told me where it was! I was starting to sweat because my flight was soon. Anyway, caught the Narita Express to the airport, borded the plan with no worries and heade for Australia with a nice night view of Tokyo in the distance.
Then, Australian culture hit me. The flight attendants were wearing santa claus hats! What a stark contrast to the the very professional, proper manner of most Japanese customer service people (even at McDonalds in Japan!). And, then began all the "Wow! Australia is so casual and relaxed" thoughts and expressions. And, also, "Haven't seen, heard, smelt, tasted etc. that for more than a year" thoughts came.
14 December 2008
Preach Video
David and I ran the "Hearts For Eternity" seminar at Hiroshima Church last month, November 2008. Here are the videos online:
Message 1
Message 2
Message 3 and 4
We also preached in church on Sabbath, 6 December 2008.
Sermon
Message 1
Message 2
Message 3 and 4
We also preached in church on Sabbath, 6 December 2008.
Sermon
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