JJ’s funeral (see previous entry) brought together a lovely group of people, many of whom I’ve had the opportunity to meet before now thanks to JJ; others, I knew in name, having heard great tales of their epic achivements. This was also recipricated, with a few people (strangers up until then) approaching me and commenting on TGW. I’m happy to say that JJ did enjoy this website, despite the fact that in its early days it revealed to the world (and to the Japanese authorities) that he had spent over thirty years in the country on tourist visas! He also enjoyed another short-lived website I ran, but perhaps the less said about that the better!

It was lovely to see the Kobayashis and the Nakamuras again. Emmie and Russ, whom John John and I used to visit in a rent-a-car (which he was not allowed to drive!), were there, as were of course the Cooke family. I’m glad that *twinkle* was able to meet these people, although it was a shame that she had to return to Sheffield after the service, and couldn’t join the little group of us that had dinner together.

I really enjoyed that though, getting to know these people better. There really are so many good people in this world.

…Good people who let me use their internet. End of year exam results were released yesterday morning. Oooh, the nervous tension as I logged onto the uni server…

(the ones highlighted in yellow are for this semester’s exams, click on image for original size)

I’m delighted to have achieved 71% in my Japanese language module. Quite how I managed it I don’t know. Perhaps the lack of a social life helped. Or maybe it was the fact that I’m just so damn clvre.

Japanese Politics (68%): not bad. My essay writing is not what it should be, and let me down here. I lack the ability to write an introduction, conclusion or state a clear argument (other than that…!)

Contemporary Japanese Society (62): well, I really stuffed up with the essay, only getting about 55%, so I guess I got about 70% in the exam.

Overall, according to my sums, I got 68.3% for the year – this will account for 50% of my final degree award. Not bad. Of course I would have preferred it to have been 1.7% higher, but it can’t be helped! It’s still a good result, and justifies all the work I put in.

I’m trying not to think about the fact that I can’t remember anything we studied last year.

As for the rest of the class, I’ve had emails from a few people and he general trend looks pretty good. Well done us!! …apart from one soul who unfortunately didn’t quite make it through. That’s a real shame as his presence has made a huge difference to the unity of our year, a real character will be leaving with him.

In other exciting uni news, this morning I received my Certificate of Eligibility. This is the document that I have been trying to get my hands on since 2002! The pain and expense I’ve been through to get hold of it! I’ll be off to the embassey next week to get it turned into a visa.

Another document was the certificate absolutely confirming that I can buy my darling Sony Alpha 100 once I arrive in Tokyo on September 5th – that document being my scholarship certificate!! I’ve read the first review of the final production model, and it is very, very good. The A100 also happens to be over 200 pounds cheaper in Japan than in the UK, according to Yodobashi vs. Jessops.

I’ll be leaving in just over 7 weeks. Hmmm.

Feels kind of funny.

talking of feelings, my tummy feels hungry. I’d better go and fill it up with some nice vegee sausages.

xxx