I'm sorry, I've been lazy. I still haven't finished my travel log, though I have high hopes that the next one will be the last one. My excuse isn't a very original one, things have been really hectic here as of late.
Coming back from my 2 month long vacation, diving back into my projects and devious plans at the I-House has been quite crazy. We had some new people come in around the end of March, and it's so good to see the dorm brought to life again. Where for two months or so there was only silence and dust floating around the corridors one can now hear the melodic sounds of laughter, shouting in endless different languages and people running around, studying, talking, playing games, having parties etc.
The new people really left a good impression on me from the start; they are such a breath of fresh air.
It's good to get new voices, new opinions, different foods etc. into the dorm.

And we have been keeping busy. Every week there is some event taking place; a few days ago we went to see a play performed by an all female cast at a theater called Takarazuka, we've been to see Alice in Wonderland, had parties at the tatami room at the dorm, gone clubbing down town, visited temples and shrines and so much more.
On top of everything, summer is finally here. Everyday the temperatures rise up to around 25°C and the sun is blinding. Such a good break from the freezing colds of winter. I sent all my winter clothes, along with some books etc., home as I won't be needing them anymore. Not until I get back home, that is. But I'm trying not to think of that now....

So, I just wanted to write a few lines since I was taking the Sunday off to study. As I use the internet as my major source I've been surfing like crazy for the last 3 hours and decided to take a break and show you an example of just how fascinating the Japanese language is.
Saying that the Japanese use a lot of onomatopoeic words is an understatement. Almost every action you could think of can be uttered using the word for the sound that action makes. Amazingly this works for feelings as well. Or something visual. There is even the sound of silence! ('shiiin')
Some more examples include:

 パチパチ (pachi pachi) could mean any of the following things:
1. pleasant clapping sound;
2. sound of something hot bursting open (i.e. popcorn);
3. incessant blinking

 バラバラ (bara bara) – rattle
クスクス (kusu kusu) – giggle
ポチャポチャ (pocha pocha) – splash
フサフサ　(fusa fusa) – a full and attractive head of hair
ギトギト (gito gito) – being oily
イライラ (ira ira) – the state of being frustrated
ポカポカ (poka poka) – the state of being nice and warm

Interesting, no?