Ski, snowboard and friends

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a crazy dude on skis! eheheh
Now that Spring has arrived, the first rays of sunlight appear... there's nothing better than talk about snow! It was last February that I had a small break up in the mountains, in south of France.
I had 3 ideas in mind: to ski again (after a 2 years' pause), to meet some of my friends there... and, to learn snowboard! Yes, it was another resolution for this year, to learn something new! eheh

From a beginner's point of view, I thought it would be harder the first day, but at the end it wasn't that bad!
But at the end of the weekend... let's just say it was hard for me to sit down on a chair! eheh

Even with all the "bruises" and all the rush from a short weekend, I enjoyed the trip.

A special thank you to the hosts, Nuno and Rita who gave a warmful welcome (and provided a "very-low-cost" bed&breakfast formula) eheheh

As promised, here are the photos I promised you guys and girls! They arrive late as usual. eheh
It was a pleasure to see you all! And for those I didn't see this time, I promise we'll meet next time! :)

And now the photo album...

Yatai!

I did it! Yes, this is the meaning for yatai. So, what do you do when you a foreigner in France? Well, you take the opportunity to learn a new language... like, japanese! :-P

Last year I decided to re-start my japanese lessons... because you never now when you'll find a lost japanese tourist around Paris! eheh
The first quarter has ended and I passed the final exam. Well, it was a basic japanese test but it's a start! :-P
I will continue with the lessons, of course... until I become a japanese jedi master! eheheh

Some of you already know my deep passion for Japan and its culture, food and the wonderful people.
It's not that difficult japanese language once you understand the basics. The grammar is easier than french, spanish or italian, and you don't have several ways to pronounce a syllable like in chinese! :-P

On the other hand they can complicate stuff. The way you count persons, animals, long and small objects is totally different. If you have 5 kids, 5 cats, 5 pens and 5 cars... well, you will have a headache! eheh

Although it isn't a personal resolution for this year, I will add the japanese certificate (later this year) to my "to-do" list for 2009! eheh

So, next time you go to Japan and you need help to walk around there... you can invite me. For sure I won't refuse! ;-)

Australia

One resolution I have this year is to update more this small internet garden! eheh And that means movies must be a high priority... followed by gastronomy and travel! eheh

I have to try to write smaller posts, because that's the main reason which I don't update that much. Everytime I think about posting it's like "Hmmm... I'll do it later because now I don't have to write as I would like"! eheheh
So let's get started...

By now you already know which movie I'll be talking about: Australia. It was not the last movie I've seen, but the last one I've enjoyed.
It's a 2h30m adventure in the australian outback, but it doesn't look like it. I enjoyed the film, with nice acting from Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackmand and Will Smith's... son! eheh

Regarding the director, the australian Baz Luhrmann, I was expecting more, a personal touch, like he did for the romance genre with "Romeo + Juliet" and for the musical genre with "Moulin Rouge". Still, I enjoyed the cinematography and the story.
Yes, it's a war drama with a touch of romance, but don't worry... it's not another "Pearl Harbor"!

Go see it if you can, I recommend it.

So here is my first movie "review" for this year! eheh
Let's see if I'll go forward with the other 2009 resolutions! eheheh I'll keep you posted! ;-)