Just a quick update to let you know what's been going down in Ruby-town.

What first? I got my results today and I got a 2:1 for this year which I'm thouroughly pleased with. And I got a First for Basic Japanese Language 2, so I've decided I'm going to really try hard to achieve in Japanese. Because once you get past all the cripplingly complicated grammar and the incomprehensible kanji, it's actually quite good fun.

So, in less than a month's time, I leave the green gem that is the British Isles for goodness knows how long. That's right, after spending almost my entire life dreaming about it, I'm finally going to Japan. And not just for a few weeks. No sir. A whole academic year. Ho' Yeah!! I'll be staying with my girlfriend's family in Nishinomiya for a month and then I'll be making my way on down to Fukuoka Daigaku for the rest of the year. I can not WAIT!!!

In the meantime, no writing, as you may have noticed. All my creative energy is currently going towards making a CD for my Dad's 50th birthday, which I'll admit is coming along quite slowly, since I'm currently preoccupied with hurriedly organising my visa application and sorting money for next year and buying insurance and junk. I'll probably upload a couple of the songs to my myspace when they're ready so on the offchance that someone is interested they can have a little listen.

I'm intending to log my travels in Japan so you can expect to see some of that in the not too distant future. Pray that it doesn't fizzle out like other ambitious projects of mine.

I totally want to see my friends before I go, so if you fall into that category, I haven't forgotten you, I'm just a little busy with organisation at the moment. I'll see you very soon. Also, anyone who has skype and wants to keep in contact while I'm away, please let me know and we can have some nice video-enhanced chit-chat.

One thing I've finally had the chance to do now that I'm back from Leeds is the chance to play bass at church again. I hadn't realised how out of it I'd got whilst being at uni. I think my relationship with God had definitely deteriorated somewhat whilst I was away. But now, whenever I play at church now, even if it's just at rehearsals, it feels like taking an old friend by the hand. You know when you forget any of the badness and a smile just comes across your face. I'd hardly call myself a good example of a Christian, or a particularly good ambassador for Christ, but what I will say is, if you're curious, or cynical, or lost, or anything else then I urge you to speak to God. He will speak back to you, in a way that you understand.

Testimony over.

Not much else to report really. How is everyone?

If you like cartoons, bears, or feeling good, you may wish to watch this [link]

Salute to the genius of Adam Westerman and Brian Gocher.

EDIT: Katakana fail