Olcay Aki Fireworks
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Olcay Aki Fireworks
Coucher of the Month Olcay Where are they now? Aki Activity Fireworks 69 Bourke St, Melbourne City (via Westwood Pl.) Mon-Thur (5pm-9pm) June 2013 Circus OZ AYUMI TSUYAMA On Friday night, June 21 st, we went to watch the Circus Oz show at Birrarung Marr by the Yarra River. After we passed the first entrance, we found ourselves in a cute decorated food court. The tent was small, but had a different atmosphere from the rest of Melbourne. It was as if we had just stepped into Wonderland. Past the food court, we found a round stage with our seats to the left. Almost as we sat down, the show started with some cute live music while a girl was suspended in the air played the piano. Everywhere performers were dancing and doing acrobatics! Then the show began in earnest with a male performer doing a sexy, but feminine, pole dance above the piano. He was so muscular, and had great gymnastic skills, but his dance was so funny! Afterwards we had many other performances including acrobatics, juggling, flying trapezes, comic skits, gymnastic formations, and even some magic! The whole show progressed at a good tempo, and all the performers were so multi talented: showing their varied skills in a both hilarious and outrageous ways. We laughed, were amazed and had a lot of fun. However, for sure, my favorite scene was the opening pole dance. Absolutely! The tickets were provided one day at The Couch just before closing. Sometimes it pays not to leave The Couch too early! Coordinator's Welcome Winter is here, but The Couch remains a warm destination for international students to come and relax. As usual, there are many hard working volunteers I must thank, but a special mention should go out to Cesar for his contribution to the newsletter design last year and the first issue this year. His work is still felt in the newsletter's look today. For those who have never been to The Couch before, it provides a safe, noncommercial lounge space for international students in Melbourne. Please feel free to wander in and say hello. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me via email or phone. Or, feel free to ask for me when you visit. Peter Hichaaba The Couch Coordinator. Phone: 0451 374507 Email: thecouch61 4@gmail.com Where are they now? In last month's issue, we met Natsu who introduced us to Japan. But before Natsu came to The Couch we met Aki , who is back home in Japan now. Aki Where are you now and what are you doing? I'm now back in Japan, living in the Ibaraki prefecture near Tokyo. It's in the country side. I work at a pharmaceutical company as a CRA (Clinical Research Associate). When did you leave Melbourne? I left there last July, the morning after The Couch Christmas in July Party. Wow, nearly one year ago! What do you miss most at The Couch? Friends! I have so many fantastic friends at The Couch. What do you miss most about Melbourne? I miss the lovely parks in Melbourne. I think Melbourne has many more beautiful parks than Tokyo. Aki's wedding back in Japan. When Aki listed her favourite thing back in Japan, we're sure, after ramen, her husband was a close second! Who or what back home were you most happy to see after leaving Australia? Ramen! I tried many ramen restaurants in Australia, but no ramen restaurant there could even compete with the ramen in Japan. Aki's Ramen Dream by Ayumi Any message to everyone at The Couch? Hi guys, how are you? At The Couch I experienced such precious times with many friends from all around the world. It's my precious treasure even now. I want to see you all again at that place! Take care, Aki Any advice/must see places for people considering visiting Japan? If you come to Japan, you should try some ramen restaurants! When that time comes, you must feel strongly that Japan's ramen restaurants are No.1 all over the world! Dinner At Aki's ANDREW COULTER One of the amazing things about The Couch is the ability to meet people from all over the world! Last year, I was very sad to see Aki leave, but in March this year, I was fortunate enough to travel to Japan and catch up with her and her family. The first day I arrived in Japan I had to follow Aki's very poor directions to get to her house in the countryside. They were hard to understand but, after 3 trains and 1 .5 hours later, I was finaly picked up at the station by Aki and her husband, Yasu San. Then we had to drive for another 30 minutes. It was really the countryside, but, had such a different feeling from the heart of Tokyo! At the house we, along with Yasu San's lovely mother, had a takoyaki party! It was so much fun as There are always many options to help out at The we gathered around the table cooking takoyaki Couch if you're interested in contributing. These (ball-shaped octopus in batter) and they kept giving can be great experiences to make new friends, me more and more food until I was ready to burst. gain experience and practise English. Yasu San was so happy to have a guest, as it let If you're interested in volunteering, writing for the him escape the strict diet Aki forces on him! newsletter or have other ideas on helping out, To be able to go to a Japanese home and have a please just ask for Peter at The Couch, or you can meal with a cute family was such a different and email him: thecouch61 4@gmail.com wonderful experience from just eating in a restaurant in busy Tokyo. I have to thank Aki and Editor: Andrew Coulter Yasu San for inviting me into their home, but, I must Logo: Cesar Pinacho also be thankful to The Couch for letting me know Committee: Choo Yang Tan, Chris McIntyre, such wonderful people! Jinny Yoo, Phil Meditzky Contributing to The Couch Coucher of the Month Nationality: Turkish Coucher for: 4 Months This month, Phil caught up with Olcay who has been coming to The Couch recently. What is your name and where are you from? My name is Olcay Akar, and I'm from Turkey. For people who do not know you, can you tell them how to pronounce your name? It is pronounced a little bit like 'Ojay'. How long have you been coming to The Couch? I have been coming to couch for 4 months now. What do you like about the Couch? I like to chat with all the people at The Couch. Because everyone is from different backgrounds, it's great for English practice. Olcay Olcay with Behrooz at The Couch What do you miss most from Turkey now that you are in Australia? For sure, I miss my family and friends the most. I think everyone else here from abroad must feel the same. Have you travelled to many other countries? Besides Australia, I have been also been to Cyprus and Thailand. Is there anything special about Turkey you'd like to share? Turkey has Western and Eastern culture mixed together and has many historical buildings and beautiful natural places. So, I think Turkey is a very good destination for travel. People should try the food, music and see all the different natural places. What are your hobbies/interests in Turkey? I love to play instruments (especially the drums), painting, and also I am very interested in history. What is your job or what did you study in Turkey? I studied tourism and business. After that, I worked as a bartender in a hotel's casino and disco for 6 years. Now for a couple of questions that tell us a bit about you. Olcay often likes to throw parties with What is your favourite - colour, food, music and flavour of friends he's met through Couchsurfing ice-cream? My favourite colour is brown, music is funk, and ice cream is hazelnut. Oh, and my favourite food is Thai food! If you could be an animal, what would you be and why? Definitely a bird, because you can be so independent and free. Republic of Turkey Population (2013 est): 75,627,384 Official Language: Turkish Capital: Ankara Currency: Turkish lira Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey Regular Activities Featured Volunteer Monday Tuesday Free English Conversation Class Movie Night Wednesday Thursday Free Coffee Making Class Fireworks in July CHOO YANG TAN Would you like to enjoy a spectacular round of fireworks midwinter? Then look no further as Docklands will be having their annual fireworks every Friday in July. Last year, a group of Couchers went over and had fun times there often followed by happy dinners. The atmosphere was lively with activities to do and eateries to dine at. Look out for the event on The Couch facebook page. Alternatively, the details are as per below. Where: The Piazza, Docklands Dates: July 5th, 1 2th, 1 9th, 26th Times: Roving entertainment 6:30pm, Fireworks 7pm with music Cost: FREE Transport: Tram – Free City Circle, no. 70 or no. 86 (Waterfront City stop) Train – Hop off at Southern Cross Station and walk along the promenade More Information: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson The Couch is a safe and free space at night for International Students studying in Melbourne to socialise, relax, rest, study, and seek information and assistance. Hours Open: 5pm-9pm (Mon to Thurs) Location: 69 Bourke St, Melbourne CBD (via Westwood Pl.) Website: salvationarmy.org.au/thecouch Contact: Peter Hichaaba (Coordinator) Mobile: 0451 374 507 Email: thecouch61 4@gmail.com Stay connected with The Couch Facebook page to see other activities and events: www.facebook.com/thecouchmelbourne Ayumi BEHROOZ G AHBRAIE Ayumi is a kind Japanese girl who likes to talk with everyone and socialise. She has been helping us in The Couch for almost three months now. She always smiles and loves to play pool. Ever since we brought the pool table to The Couch she plays a game or two every evening! She also plays guitar and has good skills in sketching, similar in style to the famous Japanese manga.* Ayumi is now preparing herself for an English test and trying to decide her future career. Let's wish her the best of luck in her test and a clear way through to a successful future. * You can see one of her drawings on the second page of the newsletter! Birthdays at The Couch LAKSHI M OLLIGODA Do you have a birthday coming up, or you know someone who would like to celebrate their birthday with their Couch friends? If so, The Couch is able to provide the space for you to celebrate yours or your friend’s birthday with fellow Couch friends. If it is your friend’s birthday you can bring a cake in and if you want to make it a surprise talk to Peter in advance. Also, if it is your birthday, you can bring a cake for yourself to share with everyone at The Couch too! sudoku Information Night