The mid-year break is mid-way in session and I’m loving it. Finally I’m getting a chance to do what I’ve always wanted – start a video blog.

Only one thing that you, dear reader, probably weren’t counting on here. The vlog is entirely in Japanese.

For the moment, I want to share everything with both the Japanese and English-speaking communities, so while the vlogs WILL continue to be done in Japanese, I’ve put together some subs for when you watch them and begin wondering what the heck I’m on about.

Check it out and let me know what you think – all comments, whether it be about the language used (if you understand Japanese) or the lighting, colors, anything else video related… let me know!!

I love you guys

Click here. Check it out!

❤ always
Riku

Since the last time I blogged a fair bit has happened. I don’t remember the majority of it. So let’s just go from the beginning of the year.

2009. After a memorable New Year’s Eve I lazed around at home doing almost nothing for a week, then the boredom overcame me. I gathered the minimal funds I had and bought… a camera. Not just any camera, mind you, but a hybrid camcorder turned digital camera. I mean, at the end of the day, I wanted a dSLR but we all know I can’t afford one. I bought a Canon SX1 IS for $200 off the (then) market price of $900 or so. Admittedly, it’s got me even more addicted to photography.

On 20 January I ventured overseas again. More specifically, I went to Japan again, but this time with June and Laura. We also got to meet with Johnny, Mario and Sarah Q when we were over there. And what can I say – for me to list every occurrence would be tedious and impossible, so when I get around to it you guys will be the first to know

We were there for a whole 5 weeks and 2 days. It sounds like a long time for a holiday but when the last few days came I really wasn’t ready to come home yet. Now, I don’t want people assuming that since I love Japan to an unnatural extent that I conversely hate Australia. Don’t get me wrong – I still call Australia home. But I miss Japan like mad. I can almost guarantee that I’ll go live there someday.

From the time I got back, I’ve been really restless. I crave going out at night, but it’s so disappointing that essentially the only place that one can go to after hours is McDonalds. Where’s the (non-alcoholic) nightlife, Sydney?

But of course, my photography has been keeping me sane.

Now, as of tomorrow I’m back at UNSW finishing off my Arts degree. Week 1 is finally here. What the hell is Week 0 about?! Had I known that there were absolutely no classes running during week 0, I would have stayed in Japan for an extra week or even more. Damn…

I think travelling can be an addiction too, albeit a very expensive one at that.

Anyway, from now on I’ll be blogging from my phone so expect to hear from me more often than usual. I love you guys <3

Just quickly before I go – shoutouts to Kaori, Emi and Yumiko who are here on holiday. I hope you guys enjoy your stay!

♥ always,
Riku

Previous Sample Meal
McDonalds Double Qtr Pounder w/ Large Fries
Energy – 1310kCal
Protein – 62.2g
Fat – 77.5g
Saturated Fat – 28.4g
Total Carbohydrate – 86.8g
Sugars – 7.4g
Sodium – 2015mg 

Current Sample Meal
Rik’s Special Recipe Pasta w/ Chilli Capsicum Tomato & Ricotta Sauce
Energy – 394kCal
Protein – 14.3g (one could increase this using either turkey mince or lean sausage meat)
Fat – 3.1g
Saturated Fat – 0.68g
Carbohydrate - 73.2g
Sugars – 9.5g
Sodium – 663mg

Woot woot GO ME!

♥ always,
Riku

How is everyone? (leave a comment )

Lately everything just whooshes by me as a blur, I keep forgetting (conveniently) that uni is in full swing and I need to pay more attention to assignment dates. It doesn’t help that Macquarie University tend not to give out course outlines as freely as UNSW do.

I have this massive assignment for Jurisprudence (Law) coming up – worth 90%. Nail-bitingly nerve-racking weighting for an assignment, I gotta say. If I fail it, guess who gets to do 1st year 1st semester all over again – that’s right – me.

Spent most of my Friday just passed studying at the students’ lounge above Macquarie Theatre. Law Tan came to meet up with Nat and I when we were having lunch at Macq Centre, and then (eventually, 50 years later or so) Miranda, Wayne and Andrew Tan came along. Nat and Law left first, then I decided to leave to go to my next stop when I receive a call from Nat:-

RIK COME AND PICK ME UP THERE ARE NO TRAINS FOR ANOTHER 45 MINUTES!!!

SO being the angel that I am, I passed by Eastwood and picked Nat up, then dropped her off at Strathfield and decided to meet the boys briefly to have a bite to eat at Ca’d'or. Walked in and dead straight in front of me was Hag, VA, VC, Pris & Andrew Q. I ordered something and hastily ate it, then Chenny arrived and we went our seperate ways. I brought Chenny home and then raced over to Dave’s house, as I was to see Dave, Greg, Trami and the infamous anjizzle.

We watched the game, then everyone went home.

Life is otherwise uneventful. Too busy to do anything considered eventful.

But anyway, hope everyone’s well!

♥ always,
Riku

Anyways, this evening I was reading through my blog posts from 03, 04 and 05. 2003, year 9, the year that I stopped coming to school and started partying and drinking. OMG thought I was so cool!! What an idiot.

2004 is where I started getting good at Japanese. I’d only been studying it for like, 2 years already? I had my first taste of the Japanese culture when the exchange students came over at the end of the year. Randomly bumming with Ancyru who back then I called “Trinh”… lol, things change?

2005 is where I started getting hung up over marks at school but didn’t make any majorly conscious effort to work on attendance. On top of that, I swore I was studying as hard as I could, but to look back on it I could have probably worked harder. Even now at university, there’s always room to increase productivity. It’s a matter of “study smarter, not harder” right?

I was reading through some bitchy blog post from the end of 2005 where I got a shitty report and more or less took it out on everyone around me. Does anyone remember that Rik? The one who used to get like, 11/15 on some essay, then go to the library and hide; not talking to anyone… ignoring everyone around me. What a little shit I was … I like to look back at these things and think of how things could have been different then. Nonetheless, I regret almost nothing

For those of you who don’t know, I got into my dream course – however it is no longer at my dream university. I suppose you need to make sacrifices for these things, and thus I made my ultimate sacrifice. I left UNSW, a university I had much trouble leaving behind, to go to Macquarie University. What degree? I’m doing Arts/Law, but I intend to transfer to International Studies/Law after Semester 1. Wish me luck, guys.

I am still retaining (or at least trying to) my job at Lion Nathan. My parents are going to assist me in getting an apartment somewhere near Ryde area, and hopefully I’ll move up there and travel won’t be too bad. Peak hour Homebush Bay Drive/Lane Cove Road is pretty SHIT however…

I’ve been going out more than usual lately which feels alright, however the fact that in order for me to do so I need to spend money is kinda stinging me. After all, I did come back from an expensive holiday and on top of that, I’ve been cutting down my hours.

All of that aside, the name of the game for now is “ghost-hunting”. I want to go back down to Picton and run around taking photos and stuff… I also want to check out Cawdor St Cemetery in Camden… anyone want to come?

とにかく、今夜は2003年、2004年、そして2005年に書いたブログを読んでたんだ。2004年はね、学校をよくサボり始めた年で、パーティしたり、タバコ吸ったり、お酒飲んだりし始めた年だね。そして自分のことは自慢過ぎて「かっこいい」生活で生きていたと思ってた。今なら、あの時は「超ださい」って言うことは分ってるね。笑

2004年は日本語が少しだけでも得意になってきていた。そして初めて日本人に出会えた時は2004年の終わり、杉並総合高等学校から来た留学生の一人（石田早希）が僕んちに泊まってたから。その年はいつもアンシル君と出かけていたけど、昔だったからきっとTrinhって読んでたね（よく変わったね・・・ 笑）

2005年は急にリクが完全論者になっちゃった。いつも点数が低すぎていた事を分っていたのに、できるだけ頑張ってた訳もなかった。それに、いつも「一所懸命頑張ってんだ」って自制していたね。今ちゃんと考えれば、その時は熱が入らない行動だった。だから、いつも「もう限界じゃん」って思ってたのに、やっぱりまだもっと頑張れた。もうしゃあないけどね。今大学生なんでも、勉強に対する生産力を限りなく増やせると思ってきた。

すごく気持ち悪かったブログも読んでた。2005年の終わりに学校からの成績カードをもらって、凄くやばかったから自分のコト叱る代わりに、周囲の皆さんを悪く行って、「おまえらが天才だって言うことが俺のせいじゃねぇよ。俺一生懸命頑張るのにこんなに失敗するんじゃねぇかよ。何でだよ・・・」とかもいつもいつも行っていた。点数がまあまあの時も、たとえば作文は15文の11点だった時、すぐ気分悪くなって、周囲の人も皆無視していた。失礼な奴だったなぁ･･･ 時に、あんな馬鹿みたいな行動について読むことが好きだね・・・でも、誤解しないで下さい。後悔などしてないもん。:)

まだ知らない人いるかな？僕は、ずっとあこがれていたコースにも入れた。Arts/Lawに入れたんだけど、やっぱりそんな祝福をもらえるには 犠牲しなきゃならない事って決まってるんだろうね。ずっと大好きだった「ニューサウスウェールズ大学」を出て、あまり気に入らなかった「マコーリ大学」に入れた。だがやっぱりそれでも頑張るんだ。4年生になれば日本にも留学するんだ。楽しみにしてる。

今法学受けているからやっぱり時間割は前のとずっと違って、とてもとても忙しくてクラスいっぱいあって込んでる。だから、両親は僕を手伝ってくれて、じぶんのアパートを買いたいと思ってる。すると、今みたいに30分位運転する必要がなくなる。マコーリの近い郊外に住みたいけど・・・

日本に行く前と違って、最近はもっと出かけている。それはいいけど、やっぱり日本でお金いっぱい使ったからやっぱりこの癖やめないといけないんだ。出かけると、いつも金かかるから。それに、ガソリンはまた、もっと高くなるそうだ。

これからは、やりたがるのは「幽霊探し」だ。色んな幽霊があるそうな霊園などに行って、写真を撮ったりする事だ。すごく楽しいけど・・・・君は耐えれる？

WASSUP Y’ALL!! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year) by the way.

Rik has been so incredibly inundated with work that he hasn’t had a moment to even blog! :O Yeah y’all, I’m working 6 days a week at the moment with only Saturday free – and believe me, I sleep for most of Saturday just trying to catch up with the lost sleep for the rest of the week. But on the bright side, my Japan trip is coming up and I actually have spending cash (and a fair bit of it – YEAYUH!!) Things are hectic, but altogether not too bad.

Last week I thought I’d splurge a little bit as since starting work here, I haven’t had the chance. So I got up at the crack of dawn last Sunday (before xmas) and went to Westfield Parramatta to get myself an iPod, despite my mom’s hatred of them – seeing as I’ve gone through like 5 so far. Anyways, after all these complications with transferring money between my non-linked accounts, and turn-around time issues, I finally bought it. I got to work and slaved away for like 3 hours, then I went outside for a cigarette break and to check my phone for new messages. And I received this message:

“Don’t get an iPod, Mom got you one. It’s black, 160gb.”

o.o

Luckily we only paid the deposit for the two iPods (cos my sister got one for xmas as well), so we were able to get the other one refunded. Big kudos to my mom though, what a mad Christmas present that would’ve been!

Anyways this early morning (it’s 7:29 now and probably 7:05 when I started writing this) I’m at work and I think I finish at 3pm today. And I’m really excited for some reason. I’m not sure if it’s Japan, or clothes shopping this arvo.. but I’m in a good mood. Hopefully it’ll stay that way.

God bless y’all btw

♥ always,
Riku

今日はすごくすごく忙しかった。

昨晩、ずっと言語学のエッセーを書こうとしていたが、何となく出来なくなって、ずっと本の同じページをじっとしてきちゃった。気がつけば、もう朝3時になって、眠る時間も大変に少なくなっちゃった。風の速さで急いで書いて、3時間眠れた。9時に家を出て、大学へ行って、提出した。すると、急にものすごく眠くなった。

だから、ちょっと寝ようと思って、お婆さんんちに行った。

たくさん食べさせられたんで、ちょっとリラックスしてみたんで、でけへんかったからエネルギー薬を結局飲んで、仕事に行った。

というと、今仕事中です。金曜日の午後なので人はあまりかけてくれない。何もしてないから、すごくうんざりしちゃってる。さっき渚がかけてくれたが、やっぱり仕事しているべきだから、電話に出れなかった。*特に働いてないのにね。

明日も明後日も働くけれど、本当は勉強しなきゃ。試験はやばくなっちゃうかもね。

今日、また東京の滞在のアパートを見つけようとしたが、やっぱり今の値段より安いのは無理、、、僕は一人で来日していたら、きっとホームステイができるけど、友達と一緒だから他の泊まる所を見つけなくちゃ。メンドクセーノニナァーー

では、これからはちゃんと仕事すべきだ。誰かコメントしなさいよ！:P　さびしがってるからだぜ。

コールセンターで勤めてきた。掛けてこない間はいつもうんざいするけどやっぱり電話する間は楽しい。給料もいいから本当に神様に感謝しとる。ただ、正直で言えば、マネージャがあまり好きでは･･･ない。笑　アイツ日本語が分らないように願おうね。

知らない人はいないと思うけど、来年1月15日に日本に着くんだ。すごいわくわくしちゃって、勉強などができなくなった。今度はきっと、必ず行くぜ！もう切符書いたもん！！笑　だから日本人友達にみんな会えるといいって思った。本当に楽しみにしてるよ。3人友達と一緒に来るから、みんなよろしくおねがいします。怖がらせないでください。笑

最近は仕事、試験、宿題、そして日本旅行の予定を作る事でものすごく忙しい。誕生日も最近で、やっと19歳になった。けどその誕生日の日はどうやって過したと思う？パーティもせずに、お酒も飲まずに、、、一日中、一晩中も勉強していた。最低。

まぁ。ここじゃもう朝2時になってるから、そろそろ寝なきゃ。また後でね。

Lately things have been very very hectic, and thus I haven’t been able to update this site. Sorry friends! Where do I start…

Recently, there are only three things going on for me – work, uni and planning a Japan trip. Let’s start with work:

WORK; I applied for and somehow managed to get a job with Lion Nathan, the distributors of Tooheys, Hahns, Heineken, Becks, Emu, James Squire, Knappstein, West End, Swan, Kirin, Speights, Steinlager, XXXX, Southwark, Boddingtons, Amstel, McKenna (bourbons) and all Bacardi products. Phew.. anyway I’ve been working here (<— you can tell I’m writing this at work haha) for more than a month now and I’m loving it! Ask me questions about it online though, because I don’t want to divulge too much about what I do on this blog.

UNI; it seems like EVERY subject wants a piece of me lately; I’ve been writing up presentations, reports, essays, more reports, more essays, more reports, and a heckuva lot of Japanese stuff. I have only 2 exams at the end of the semester; so at the moment I have a linguistics essay, japanese speaking and written exams, japanese composition, microeconomics exam and management exam. And the best part is – I cbf to start studying. So fail I will.. and transfer I won’t. =(

and now, the trip to JAPAN; so June, Jason, Janet and I decided that we’d give ourselves a well deserved break and go to Japan for a 3 week no-restrictions holiday. There are so so many people I really want to meet up with again so this chance is a blessing. Now, I have to make sure I’ll still have a job when I get back so we’re going to try to book the tickets soon so I can let work know I won’t be around for 3 weeks. OMG so excited. =DD

And apart from the above,
my life is quiet and boring. Nothing much to say otherwise.

How’s everyone else doing?

God bless btw.

♥ always,
Riku