Today was the 4th time in as many months that we had a “fire drill”. I put fire drill in quotes, because it was not a drill, but it wasn’t a fire either. It usually happens on the weekend, about once a month, that the fire alarm goes off in my apartment building without any particular reason. The first time it had that strange excitement about it, you know, that strange excitement you feel when something might be terribly wrong. It’s probably what a bungy jumper feels just before the elastic pulls him back up, but then about 10% of that. The second time it was just awefully cold. The third time was a good opportunity to catch up with my neighbours, who I hadn’t seen since the fire alarm went off the month before. And today, well… it is starting to get annoying. I’m really losing interest in jumping into my shoes, grabbing my jacket and my wallet, almost forgetting my keys and making an orderly exit. And next time, if something is really wrong, me and my fellow dwellers might think it’s just s stupid wiring problem setting the fire alarm off.

Ow yeah! The gloommy days of winter have passed and the sun is shining again. Flowers are budding left right and centre, and the air just smells like spring. I’m not sure what exactly changed, but since a few days I can actually feel the spring in the air. Yesterday afternoon, when I was on my way home from around 5.30pm, I was waiting for the tram, and a guy with a guitar sat down next to me and started playing some country tunes. The sun was just setting, and in combination with the music it made me feel extremely peaceful and serene. This is what I mean with the feeling of spring. When the tram arrived after about 10 minutes I dropped my spare change (I had about $2.35) in the guy’s cup to thank him for playing that music.

Last week I entered Australian history. Yep. Last Tuesday was census-night in Australia, and I, like everybody else filled out a census form. The last question asked whether or not I would like my data stored and made public in 99 years. Well, sure, why not. If somebody decides to write a book about me in 99 years they will be able to access information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and obtain official confirmation that I was actually in Australia. Pretty cool. So now that I’ve got that being entered in history covered I just gotta do something amazing so that somebody will want to write a book about me. I’d say I’ve already done the hard part by filling out the census. The rest should be a piece of cake. Keep an eye on your local bookstore in about 99 years time!

YES! I guess most of us know what it’s like. You’re in your last few months of uni, and the future is sort of in the dark. What am I gonna do in a few months when I finish? Well, I found out yesterday what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna go to work in Japan! A few months ago I applied for a job teaching English to children. Just over two weeks ago I had the job interview and introduction to the company, and yesterday I received an email from the recruitment officer that they would like to offer me a job starting in February. Of course I immediately replied that I would take the job. I’m absolutely over the moon. So that means a move to Japan. Very exciting!

Sorry guys, I’ve discovered I can post videos from Youtube.com straight onto my blog, and I love it! In case you’re contemplating going to a sushi restaurant in Japan for the first time, check out this very useful guide.

My project for today. Figure out firstly the lyrics to this song, and then what they mean.