A beautiful day.

Yesterday, I spent the day with my Dad.

We went to Comrie, a place where my family used to visit every week (we had a caravan there) and a place that holds a lot of really treasured memories.

I wanted to go there because of those reasons and because, quite simply, it's a really beautiful place.

We walked for miles (approx. 8 of them) and just blethered and spent time together, time which is quickly running out.

It was emotional, yes. But at the same time, it was good. I felt really connected to my Dad. He's my guy. If it wasn't for him, who knows where or what I'd be. He's a good man. A flawed man, absolutely (who isn't?) But he's kind, gentle and always tries to see the good in things.

I feel good knowing he has my back, that he supports me in this whole "lets move a bajillion miles away" thing.

Just a few pictures of the day (apologies for the non-rotated ones...)

The beauty of the hills and the countryside was soothing. Especially as today is my last full day in the UK and things will be hectic.

Off to get ready for lunch with my Dad and my sister. Another emotional roller coaster... Will probably post a last minute blog this evening, just to purge the nerves and the fear and the excitement.

Soon...

Five days to go...

My Visas are done.

Most of my suitcase is packed.

Still have a lot of stuff to do and not a lot of time left.

Good news though...

I was told where I'll be living for the next year which was pretty exciting! I'll be down in southern Kyushu in Miyazaki Prefecture. My city is called Ebino. Very exciting. The city flag is purple. I'm taking this as a good sign.

Obviously, I've done as much research as I can in the last 24 hours and it looks like it's gonna be a pretty awesome place to live. I just hope it lives up to my freshly-forged expectations.

Anyways, just a quick blog today... I have a lot to do and I've got about two hours to do it all... Looking after my two nephews for an hour or so then off out for my "Last Supper" with friends. Expect tears. and maybe some snot too...

Peace Yo!

The cull.

Hello.

I feel very ill today.

I have filled thirteen black bags with rubbish. When I say rubbish, I mean the sentimental things that I've surrounded myself with over the years in an attempt to feel secure.

Things I DON'T NEED.

It really is that simple. The rubbish bags don't actually have any worth. Approximately 90% of the stuff in my bedroom has no worth. They are empty tokens. The don't serve any purpose.

So I'm getting rid.

I have to.

I have thirteen days to go before I leave the country for an indefinite period of time. I need to get on with this.

I still have to secure a visa for China but will do that at the start of next week.

I have my last dental appointment tomorrow which is exciting.

But the most major of the major developments: I got my TB test all done yesterday and I got the results (I think) there and then. Have scanned them and emailed them over to Japan! Huzzah!

That was probably the biggest worry (after getting a training venue and securing my Japanese visa) in this journey, so it is calming to have that taken care of.

I'm going to sign off again for now. Might make it fourteen black bags before the day is out... Who knows?

15 Days To Go...

Hello!

Hope everyone is doing ok? I've been awful at blogging recently but it has been in my thoughts amongst all of the other stuff I'm contending with... And it's the thought that counts, right?

I have fifteen days to go until I up sticks and move to the other side of the world (literally)... I'm getting so excited but am starting to feel the nervous twinges as I go about my daily business... I have my flights booked, my Visa is sorted, I've been eye-tested and new glasses have been ordered!

I've been placed for training in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu. It's gonna be warm! It'll also be really good. It will. Still don't know exactly where I'll be living but that's ok, it's ok because I'm going and things have a knack of working themselves out. There's still the chance of being placed before I leave but I'm not pinning everything on that. I'll be placed before I go, or when I get there. S'all good!

My flight is a bit of a doozy if I'm honest, I have a 21 hour layover in China which effectively adds an extra day on to my travels. However, it means I have the luxury of sleeping in a real bed, having a hot shower and being refreshed before I hit Japan. It may also help with the jet lag but I'll get back to you on that one! The main benefits are a huge luggage allowance and it was relatively inexpensive compared to other flights so I'm completely on board with it. Just means I have to secure a visa for China at some point this week... Oh well... Just another chapter in the adventure!

I really need to get a move on with packing... I have most of the stuff I want/need to take with me (and probably some stuff I don't need too) so all I have to do is get another suitcase and split the stuff between the two.

And then it's the dreaded room clear out. It's proving to be difficult because my attention span is short right now and it's a tad emotional, packing everything away and throwing a heck of a lot out... It has to be done though so I'm sure I'll find the resolve somewhere.

This post seems to have devolved into a random outpouring of the thoughts that are swirling around in my head right now... Sorry about that. I guess the old saying of "Better out than it" is ringing true right about now!

Anyway, I shall sign off for now. Must do stuff.

Sunday. Not a day of rest.

What a week. 

I've been bouncing between calm and chaos all week. 

Still haven't had my call yet, so I'm no further forward than I was last week. I've been doing what I can to distract myself from this but if I'm honest, it hasn't really worked. 

I'm a terminally impatient person, I think it's because I'm a structured plan type of person. I want to know now, yesterday even, so I can begin making the appropriate plans, finding out the most pertinent details. 

I've been awake from 5.45am every day this week, just to be ready for the call that will come. I've been gleaning little snippets of information from various websites regarding the placement process. It's solidly comforting to know that there are a lot of people still in my boat.

I read on the Facebook page for my company (yeah, Facebook is where you should find out all your important information kids) that calls will be continuing in full force until the 14th of February. So I have an end point in sight, a date where I can crumble into a pile of dust if I haven't received a call. 

I think it would be easier if I could be jealous of the people who have been placed already, if I could loathe and turn green with envy. But I can't. If anything, it's making me more excited. I'm pleased that the wheels are turning and that I'm in the process. That they've had their call means there are fewer people between me and my call. It's the anticipation that's killing me. Still, it will happen. I will get the call telling me I'm going somewhere lovely. It will be good. 

I got my International Drivers Permit on Friday, it's rather charming. It is also the most inexpensive part of this journey so far. I still have my dental work, new glasses and medical appointments to deal with. But I can cross "IDP" off of the list now, it's one more preparation I can make. Still unsure how to go about the TB testing but I'm sure that will be covered at some point. 

I have lots to do today and I should be crossing things off the list instead of talking about it here. I have to hunt for the second display folder I bought for the Recruitment Seminar. I have to print off all the correspondence from my company and I think it'll be easier carried and utilised if it's in the display folder. I wonder where I've put it... I'm also attempting a monster room clearance today. I've had no energy all week which has meant very little has been done. But today, it has to be done. I'm in a room which resembles a burglary scene... It has to be taken care of. I may also box up the remainder of the books... 

Today will be good. < nod >

Reality.

Good morning!

I've been awake and guzzling coffee since 5.45am this morning.

One of my friends had her placement phone call yesterday so I'm being ultra-prepared this morning, just in case they're doing Saturday calls!

Been spending this time productively though, making a list of the ID I'll need to take with me when I move to Japan.

So far:

IDP (International Driver's Permit, just in case I'm given a Driving placement)

UK Driver's License (Photocard and Paper Counterpart)

Passport (For obvious reasons...)

As much as I'm terrified of the application process, I'm looking forward to adding "Alien Registration Card" or "Gaijin Card" to that list.

From what I've gleaned from the good old Internet, the Gaijin Card will trump the lot of them. But all are necessary in their own way.

Today I have a short shift at work which is lovely! Going there day after day is draining... I've been very honest and forthright with them about my impending emigration. I gave them almost five weeks notice (as opposed to the required one week) of my resignation. I've tried to keep the gushing and the factoid spewing to a minimum.

However, there's absolutely no understanding from them. Basically, they don't get why I'd give up (what really is) a good job to move to the other side of the world, to a country I've never visited, to do a job I've never done... Yesterday, I let them know I may receive a phone call confirming my departure date, my placement, the rest of my freakin' life... I was given a flat out "Tough cookies" from them. After explaining that the call was coming from Tokyo, they relented slightly...

I can see the merit in objecting. I would support it if I was taking a call to arrange a night out or just to chat. This call is the gateway to my future. I don't understand.

Still, what's a boy to do?

It'll all be over soon, I won't be working in finance anymore. I may be going to a country so foreign that it's a little scary, to do an infinitely more difficult job than the one I currently have. But that's ok. That's part of the adventure.

I've been fortunate enough to have about three weeks from leaving this job to leaving the country. I'm hoping this buffer will act as the respite I've planned it to be. To soothe and energise all the bits of me that have been inflamed and scratched by working in finance for the last two years.

It will be nice.

After work I'm meeting with my oldest friend, we're having lunch. A time to touch base with each other before the year starts flowing properly. I'm moving to Japan and she'll be walking the Great Wall of China this October to raise money and awareness for Sue Ryder.

Her donation link is here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=MhairiHenderson

Give what you can, or pass the word about (especially if you're from the UK) that a local lass with a big heart (and sturdy shoes) will be doing this. I think donations can be made from anywhere in the world, if you can give anything at all, please do.

So yes. I've forgotten the point really. But today should be good.

...

Especially if I get the placement phone call... <fingers crossed>

Thoughts on what "Life" really is...

Hello!

I want to ramble a little about how we talk, about the things we say that sometimes aren't exactly what we mean...

There's been a phrase pouring out of my mouth for the last few weeks, if not months. It confuses me. Well, it *confused* me because I think that I figured it out today.

"How do you fit an entire life into one suitcase?"

I realised today that you can't. You don't pack up a life, you don't put it in a suitcase. You put clothes (and some toiletries) in a suitcase.

A "life" is a totally different thing. It doesn't travel light, which is a good thing because my luggage allowance is 30kg.

The life I have in the UK won't be coming with me. I can't pack my best friend. I can't neatly parcel up two of my closest friends and their beautiful baby girl who I've not had enough time with. My family and friends won't be wrapped up in brown paper and string. My nephews can't be FedEx-ed to me, there will be no porter service for my Gran...

All of those things are inside me. They will travel with me in the form of photographs, digital doohickey pixel things stored on memory cards and hard drives. They will come with me as fond memories.

The challenge I've felt looming over me, of "packing up a life" and moving it to Japan, has disappeared. In that sense, I've already packed.

I'm leaving to learn a new skill, maybe even forge a profession, to taste-test a vocation. I'm going to Japan because I'm ready to. I don't want to be the only ALT at the picnic who is thinking about the past. I want to be the one who is living in the present. Who is dreaming about the future, however distant it is.

I've already made some great new friends from this experience and I'm not even there yet. Some are in the same boat as me, nervously waiting for the next email, the all-important placement phone call. Some are out there already, doing what I'll be doing in two months.

I'm not packing up a life. I'm making one.

I do however have to pack up a bedroom. I have to buy clothes. Then pack them. I have to Sophie's Choice my possessions. I have a hundred and one other things to be doing, alongside finishing up with my current employers.

I have less than two months to neatly sort and pack away the things that have represented "life" for me. Doing that may finally allow me to start living.

'Til next time...