Sunday night

On Wednesday after work we went to the local RSL to play lawn bowls.  It was really nice; we'd booked ahead and the bowls club had organised some of the regulars to show us the ropes and give us a rundown of the basics.  Friendly friendly people, but then again most of them here are.  It's such a different culture to the one in the city, the small-town aspect makes everyone seem to group hug and be openly friendly to strangers.  I've gotten used to it, so much so that I find it really strange when working in the city office, when people don't say hello in the kitchen or bathrooms!  The 6 months working here has really changed my perspective of country living.  I can see how people that have grown up here would stay here - things are cheaper (especially houses, where you can build your dream house on 10 acres for cheaper than a 2br apartment in the city), the commute's easier, people are more relaxed.

After bowls, we went back to the hotel where the owners threw us a bbq, fully catered with meat/salads/bread/dips/cheese and booze.  It was awesome and really nice of them, plus really nice weather, perfect for sitting outside by the pool.  From the bbq we headed out to star bar to watch the locals karaoke it up. I still don't have the balls to go up and sing solo... but maybe on the list to do before we leave here for good.

I'm starting to listen to some Japanese language podcasts as a quick-and-dirty cram session before flying off.  I don't know much other than basic greetings, and a few common phrases like "pleased to meet you", "sorry I'm late", "I don't understand", and "I am American" (the podcasts are made in America).  My reading is almost non-existent - but importantly I can recognise the characters for "ramen", "udon", and "karaoke"... so, I'm all set in that department! Haha.

Am considering buying a new camera before Japan to get the 10% GST off.  Mine is now 2 years old and the battery is starting to wear out, so I'll have to check out what's the latest and greatest... I am hoping that, like computers, they've gotten 10x better and 2x cheaper in the last couple of years. I can only hope.

Christmas party is on Friday and I am not prepared at all.  I bought a dress a few months back and am thinking of just wearing that, and am going with the assumption that it still fits as trying on dresses requires effort which (because I have a cold), exceeds the effort I currently have.  So it will be a matter of trying it on on Thursday when I get back from the country and finding some appropriately-themed accessories to accompany the dress.  Thank goodness it's black, thereby theoretically matching anything.

Strange happening for today: one of the library books Dad has just borrowed from the library is "The Single Girls Guide".  Is this weird or is it just me?  I can't comprehend.  Read error.