Hello everyone!
It seems like it's been only a short time since I last wrote to you all, but I think that a fair bit of time has actually elapsed. So let's commence with the updates! August came and went without much more to say about it. Then came September, with its frisbee games and fair weather. As usual, I missed being around Indiana for the fair time, but otherwise, things went pretty well over here. And next came October. Wonderful October!
As some of you probably saw, I did take a trip to Japan during the beginning October. I specifically went to Nagasaki to spend time with some students whom I had met during the Spring/early Summer Ultimate tournament in Fukuoka. After that tourney, we had simply kept in touch with the understanding that maybe I could make a trip to see them or they could make a trip over here. And then I found out about a long weekend at the beginning of October and decided to seize the opportunity and just go.
The friends I visited are University students there, and it was so much fun to live in the younger university style for a little bit. Oh, the days that I used to be a student! haha. We spent the time only in Nagasaki, which was a good experience. Prior to my trip, I knew that it this city gained more notoriety because of the U.S. during WWII, but otherwise I knew nothing about it, so it was interesting to discover more about the history of that place and the important role it played in Japanese relations with foreign countries. Also the city itself was gorgeous.
One night we went up on a nearby mountain to look out over the city, and it was just great. One of the guys claimed that spot to be one of the best night views in the world, and I would believe it after having been there. During the trip we visited a few museums, played some ultimate frisbee, ate so much good food and ... went to a zoo! The zoo was definitely one of the highlights for my trip because this was one of the first times that I walked away from the zoo having had a good time and having not spent most of my time just thinking about how depressing it would be for an animal there. Granted, I still had a few moments like that, but for the most part, it was totally different.
We got to interact with a bunch of animals that normally I wouldn't get to go anywhere near. I fed/touched a flamingo, a kangaroo, a capybara, a patagonian mara and a few other random animals. It was really neat. And the zoo itself was built on the side of a mountain, such that we there were a bunch of open-air pens and lots of naturally gorgeous sites for these animal homes. All in all, it was fantastic to see, and it restored a little of my faith in humans to care for wild animals in a more urban setting.
Since that trip to Nagasaki, I've only spent time in Gwangju or traveling around for frisbee. Just this past weekend we had the finals tournament for this season, and unfortunately my team was knocked out in our first game, but it was a very close game. We lost in the last point to a team that we could have beaten (although obviously we didn't). Losing early had its advantage, though, such that we were able to rest for the remainder of the day, and I, at least, spent the time enjoying the company of friends whom I've only gotten to see a few times this whole year. Additionally, I was able to begin the resting and healing process for my body. I'm glad and grateful for the physical shape that I've built up/maintained over this year's frisbee seasons and tournaments, but my body needs a break -- especially my knees and lower legs. It'll be good just to spend more time around home ... being lazy and catching up on some dramas and books.
Dramas! I almost forgot. I watched my first Korean drama within the past few months. Now, many of you probably know nothing about this thing (and frankly, I don't know much myself), but Korean dramas often get readily noticed by some ... because they're partially fantastic and partially ridiculous ... and rather entertaining in the process. I watched through one show called "The Master's Sun" about a woman who could see ghosts who eventually meets a guy who can, upon making physical contact, make the ghosts disappear. It was a fun watch, and it lasted for 16-18 episodes. So if you're in need of something amusing with a Korean flavor, check it out. I'm sure you'll be able to find a subbed version online somewhere.
And now, I think this brings me to my biggest news ... that was finalized only a couple days ago. I've decided to stay at my school for yet another year. So all of you who want to come see me here, you've been given more time in which to make the journey. I know that this'll be a bit annoying for some (since I've already been gone for about 2 and a half years), but right now, I think this is the best thing for me. And if you want to know more about it ... just ask ... or skype with me. As always, I'd love to hear more about how your life is going and what's new these days.
Alright. It's time to get back to work! Have a great day, and keep it real~
Lots of love,
bg
ps- as usual, you can find videos from my trips and frisbee at my youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/bengraves321) or see some photos at my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/benjaminrollie).
