The event showcased the Japanese culture, such as calligraphy, origami and ikebana (flower arrangement).

We especially liked the railway models. My friend noticed a ‘person’ had fallen over!

Before we left we bought a few greeting cards, handmade using Japanese paper.

As it was a children’s festival, it was full of kids walking around in kimonos. How cute!

Gone are the days of waving at the wrong person and fumbling for glasses. I have not seen this clearly without glasses for over a decade.

Tonight I will be boarding a plane back to Adelaide. In our second year there will be late night classes, more assignments and an ever tighter schedule. Au revoir, Sydney!

Most of our lectures related to biology, physiology or biochemistry. In the ADH clinic we practised as “dentists” to give each other a general examination. Our laboratory sessions centred around fissure sealants, matrix bands and especially rubber dam.

Living alone, I have learnt to cook a whole host of things, such as game meat — kangaroo, buffalo, emu, goat, venison (deer) and crocodile!

A radiograph taken during the year revealed that I still had a deciduous (baby) tooth! And so now I have braces. I had the deciduous tooth extracted, tooth exposure surgery (the sensations were quite interesting) and a chain attached to the permanent tooth. I am very much used to it now.

2011 has been the greatest year of change for me. Although it is a relief to be back home, the friendly people and the quaint city of Adelaide have left me with a good impression. I look forward to returning in 2012 and will strive for higher.

Because of the timing of my breaks, I actually celebrated my nineteenth a month ago back in Sydney with my family, with the first of three birthday cakes and a dinner at Thai Pothong.

Thank you everyone!