Surprise!!!!!!!!

So I have decided that I have the best friends and family in the entire world. On Thursday i was in Toronto, going to what i thought was the ballet. We went to the bar to pick up the tickets from her friend, BUT to my HUGE surprise and shock.......SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!! My scheming sister and friends had planned a surprise party for me for me months ago. I was beyond overwhelmed, no idea how to react to the fact that alll of friends from all walks of life, and whole family was there. It was AMAZING. Decorated with all things Japanese, along with a 'Sayonara Bailey' sign. Good thing i had dressed to go to the ballet, and didn't look half bad. Needless to say it was a fabulous night of way too many shots, and goodbyes. I may or may not have cried periodically throughout the entire night because i love everyone so much!

Obviously not knowing about the surprise on the Thursday night, i had already planning my own going away potluck the next night. So basically I felt very spoilt to take up so much of my friends time! We ate way too much, and then went out to the only dance club in Oakville.

So now I'm packing, and doing laundry.......and preparing to say goodbye to Canada! Thanks to everyone who has spoilt me this past week, you know who you are!

Fukui-what?

I found out last week where i am going. A place called Fukui-shi, Fukui-ken. It is located on the largest island called Honshu. The first thing i did was look it up in the lonely planet. To sum it up, the lonely planet guide said "not to linger" in Fukui.....great.....on to the next source of information, a book i had just finished reading about a guy who hitch hiked through japan. To quote him on his thoughts about Fukui "what a hole". Seriously, now i was becoming a bit worried. I have decided to discard all of what i have read, and will decide for myself. The guy who hitch-hiked sounds like a bit of a drip anyways. I think it will be a fabulous place. It is two hours away from Osaka, 50 mins away from Kanazawa, and about 4.5 hours from Tokyo. Basically the perfect base for sightseeing without having to live in a crazy populated city. AND Kanazawa has the newest galleries dedicated to 21st century art.
My rent is 50,000 Yen a month, which is about $500. And apparently i have two roommates who arrived early this month (clearly they are going to choose the best rooms!). And they are both American.
I have a new suitcase, and have prepared my good old backpack for packing! All necessary dollars have been exchanged to Yen, and travellers checks have been purchased. I am more nervous know that i can picture where i am going, but i am also ALOT excited. The hat and i are mentally preparing to go.

Life is like a blank canvas, be not afraid to paint without direction.

The Countdown

So... as many of you are wondering, what has anything got to do with a travelling hat? Only if you were in my drawing/painting class this year with moodie would you know the wonders of the travelling hat, or if you stick around long enough you'll see why.
There are exactly two weeks before i get on a plane to Japan and start my journey. I have decided to teach english with Nova Group. If you are wondering exactly where i am going, trust me, so am i. They have yet to tell me where i am living/working. I fly into Osaka, and then will travel onwards to the destination i call home for a year (ish).
This blog is for everyone interested in ME!!! Don't worry girls, anything juicy that cannot be discussed in blog form will be immediately e-mailed to you! And what is travelling without some juice now and then?

this is not about art, but life itself- Vasari