Hey there guys! Well I have finally found a free five minutes to sit down and update my life so far on what has been happening since I arrived in Japan!

Im going to update on a day to day basis and Im starting here cause it is easier for my memory...

Friday 5th September

Up really early this morning to tidy up, pack up and head to Heathrow.. In typical London fashion, the skies had opened and it was pouring - so brilliant for carrying 3 pieces of luggage to the airport - thank goodness for rain covers and the fact I only had to carry them for 10 minutes... I was up all night stressing about being overweight in my hand luggage and checked luggage, and I was but since he could see by my visa that I was moving to Japan, he let it go and it was only a half full flight - so Im sure they could let a few kilos go.. Bought the last few London souvenirs, including a little Paddington Bear that I can use in lessons with the kids... and a few pencils, keyrings etc to hand out once I got to japan cause they are huge on gifts.. The flight was LONG but comfortable - great entertainment system and could stretch out, but after 16 hours, I was ready to arrive and the next stage of my life to begin! We stopped over in Qatar which was in the middle of the desert at midnight it was 37C! Hate to think what it was during the day...

Arrived at Osaka at 4:30pm on the 6th September, and was met by the Amity trainer, hung around while the last of the people arrived from Detroit and London and then with my fellow 7 trainees, headed to Okayama on our first bullet train experience!!! It really was quick and smooth and a 600km journey took 2 hours!! Late night settling in but really cool people and made plans for the following morning to meet for breakfast and see where it went from there...

Sunday 7th September

Meeting in the common room we all decided that we wanted to see the Castle and the Gardens, which Okayama is famous for then whatever else took our fancy.. The castle was amazing! Black and gold, OK it was remodelled after the 1600;s but still pretty cool inside with lots of samurai and clothing from the Edo Period (1600s to 1700s). I tell you what though ! The humidity of Japan - even in September is stifling! 31-34C and about 80% - I need to get used to that again!!!

Need to go - will update again tomorrow night - Sorry!