October is a busy time for the Iki Island ALTs. We are usually booked every weekend long before the month even begins. This year it has already begun, the many travel plans and adventures we plan to take with the onset of cooler weather and festivals. Last weekend I spent my time in Fukuoka, shopping and meeting new JETs at the block 10 welcome party held at the Tenjin Sky Hall. I had a blast meeting new Canadians and some old ones too. This coming weekend, 4 out of 6 JETs on Iki are meeting up with 4 out of 7 JETs from Tsushima island to spend the long weekend in Busan, South Korea. In the past it was never my intention nor dream to visit South Korea. I've had a bucket list of places I'd like to go, but seeing as I am just next door to this wonderful place with a ferry from the island and the opportunity arose to go with a few friends, I thought I'd take the chance and add it to my list of experiences. The following weekend is the start of our Nagasaki ALT conference, which begins on the Monday and Tuesday but is considered a business trip. I am going with a few friends a few days early to visit one of my favourite theme parks, Huis Ten Bosch, and the onsen island near to Nagasaki City. I am looking forward to visiting Nagasaki city again this year because of the many wonderful sites and wonders and ethnic foot it has to offer! Annnnd the mountain top Onsen is the greatest. The following weekend is a mass ALT takeover of a certain amusement park which is scheduled to close later this year. This is the last chance we will get to enjoy what this park has to offer. The Space world amusement park is located not far from Fukuoka city along the North Western shores of Fukuoka Prefecture. With a JR train discount pass I can see the entire park without extra cost and meet even more JETs! After the park, I hope to go shopping again in Fukuoka before returning to my island for the month. The last weekend isn't really a trip but My main school has it's school festival: Bunkasai. I always enjoy a good school festival! It will be fun to watch the student performances and see their art and efforts! Things will slow down again after that. IN November I have a trip planned to go to Fuji for a JET retreat with another ALT from Iki and a friend who lives on Iki. Then 2 weeks following that I have a friend visiting from Toronto!! I look forward to showing her around Iki and enjoying the fall weather!

Sometimes I don't have a particular project to work on, nor do I have the inspiration to continue a story I've started. Sometimes I just write what I feel like writing. One offs can be a fun way to explore certain topics and avenues of thought. Currently I am writing something that may be a one off story idea, or may be added to a collection of related stories from various character points of view. My friend from high school has started a blog to help cope with writers block. We all know this can be a terrible thing to experience as an author; no new ideas are flowing, the story has taken a lull and nothing you do or think seems to make you want to sit down and write. My friends blog is centered around a really cool idea, taking a look at all the magical and mystical historical artifacts and creatures from legends and folklore around the word and writing short chapters from various characters frame of reference and the challenges they are facing in their current time and place. This began as a way to improve his writing skills and to cope with writers block. Eventually he added another author to the mix who has also been working on a few chapters of characters. Soon I will be another member of this magical cast of authors. I can't wait to share with you the characters I've been writing. To begin with some background without adding spoilers, my friends story; which is called the Order of Vigilance, is divided into branches of an organization formed to help protect the world from destruction and seek out individuals worthy of the methods used to help in this defence. Soon there will be 3 branches, which essentially make up the 3 various ways in which magic can be categorized. So far in his tale, 2 branches have been introduced, the Artifacts branch based in Toronto, and the Monsters branch, location currently unknown. The third is just starting to be revealed and I am to spearhead major characters sorted into this branch of the Order. So excited! Just to say. In the last 2 or 3 weeks since being brought onto the train of co-authors, I have written a few draft chapters for my main character, started the introduction for another and done tons of research of various historical and regional magic perspectives from around the world, creating character profiles for each element of magic. If you haven't guessed already, I am a huge fan of magic and fantasy concepts and works, this can be confirmed by my taste in books, movies and fanfiction. So I am thrilled to be apart of this growing magical branch and amazing story. I look forward to you reading my chapters and my friends on his blog at dwagnerwriting.wordpress.com!

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