The Great Terrible Lord Yukimura

I got the all clear from both doctors and my physical therapist, so in 8 days I'll be in Brisbane. Two days after that, I'll be playing. I'm excited to start a new season. Also, I'm so over training. I want to play in some real matches.

Since Mina is out of classes during the tournament, her and my mom are coming along. Neither have seen me play live in Australia, so I think they'll enjoy it. Unfortunately, my dad couldn't come due to stupid work commitments.

Australian souvenirs, anyone?

(ooc: strikes deleted)

Mika managed to drag me out of the art studio Saturday afternoon to go to a movie. Well, less a movie and more a viewing of the English National Ballet's "Giselle," choreographed by Akram Khan. It was beautiful and moving. I spent most of Sunday sketching out what I could remember. It's coming back the first week of December, so I might see it again just so I can sit in the back and draw some more.

It's just a little over a month until the Brisbane International tournament. There's this thrum of excitement about playing an entire season again. I know I shouldn't get ahead of myself. One tournament at a time. As much as I'd like to get enough points to qualify for the ATP Finals, I can't push too hard. Even if I wanted to, I have a few people who wouldn't let me. ★~(◠‿◕✿)

Good luck to everyone taking exams!

It's so nice to finish the season with a win. While I'll still be training, of course, there aren't any more tournaments lined up for me this year as I need to focus on school. My first one of the next season will likely be Brisbane if everything lines up appropriately.

Many thanks to everyone who came out to cheer on Akaya, Kite, and myself. It was greatly appreciated.

My plants and flowers are adjusting to the shift in temperature, so I'm seeing less blossoms. I'll start prepping some of them for winter hibernation soon. Speaking of plants, your birthday present is almost ready to be relocated to your place. Remember, it just needs a window that gets some decent sunshine regularly. I'll be most disappointed if it dies in your or Zaizen's care. Mostly yours though.

(occ: based on the fact that i paired yuki's success with medvedev at the beginning of the tournament, he upset nishikori in the final ^_^)

That was the longest match I've ever played and I still lost. I'm annoyed, but not as upset with this outcome as I was with the French Open. Journalists can stop saying my endurance is an issue. I'm pretty sure I proved them wrong with this tournament. Three hours average in these conditions is decent.

I met with a boxing instructor yesterday afternoon to get out some frustration. Yanagi is the absolute best for setting it up. I feel a lot better after the session. I might have to make it a regular thing.

We'll be home tomorrow, so you can come around to my place any time on Monday to get souvenirs.

(ooc: if your character wants a souvenir, you can just make up something random that yuki got for you)

Training is great. It's fun. I'm definitely not feeling like sleeping for an entire week. Hard courts are my favorite. It's a wonder I don't train on them more often. I can't wait to start training all over again tomorrow.

Also, I think I'm finally getting the hearing back in my left ear. Once I convinced my parents that my sister would be just fine in New York with me, I told her the news and I remember hearing something shrill then nothing. Needless to say, Mika is downright giddy about the prospect of visiting New York. She even left out the bit about being disappointed it wasn't Paris. Joke's on her as that's what I'm planning to do as her high school graduation gift.

Despite training for the US Open taking up most of my time, I've managed to get the first few layers of paint down on the landscapes I'm doing for class. I don't enjoy using oils, but stepping out of my comfort zone is good for my art. I'm only taking one empty sketchbook with me to New York, so I'm going to be a bit more discerning with what I draw. It's not going to be 80 pages of different views of Central Park, that's for sure.

If you'd like any souvenirs, let me know.

Shiraishi and I went to the Poison Garden before Wimbledon started which was quite interesting. It gave me some ideas on plants I would like to grow at home. It'll be something to research on the way home. Though, I might need to look at getting a bigger place at this rate. One with room for a large garden or greenhouse and then a good sized room with ventilation for art. Even better if I could have a clay court in the backyard... I guess that's something else to look at.

My sister sent some pictures so I could make sure my flowers and plants were doing well in my absence. I'm a bit upset though as one of my flowers blossomed while I wasn't there. I told Mika to carefully clip that one to give to our mom. Of course, I provided instructions to make sure it stayed alive for at least a couple of weeks. Mostly because I want to see it in person.

( pictures of plants and flowers )

The quarterfinals are tomorrow. I feel good, but who knows how it will go? I've been surprised by a few of the early round losses.

(ooc: strikes deleted)

Happy birthday to one of my oldest friends! JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE, GENICHIROU!!! ♥ Super wish you were here, so we'll just have to celebrate properly when we get home.

(ooc: Yuki sent him a French-made kimono and a new calligraphy brush)

Happy birthday, Marui!

I made a reservation at Alice's Fantasy Restaurant for us on Sunday.

(ooc: yukimura got marui this)

Tezuka, thank you so much for playing tennis with me. I hope we can play again sometime in the near future. It's good training for me.