19.9.2008 On route to London Well as I am about to leave Tokyo and return home why not write about how I feel. I wouldn't call it returning to beginning as that isn't possible, even the terminal 5 I will be landing to is new to me. I had the anxiety of "what if things are just the same when I return" a few months ago but soon realised that wouldn't be the case. I sure had the time of my life, yet another significant turning point in my life this yea...

16.9.2008 Onsen Well I spent 5 hours at an onsen, a traditional Japanese spa today with Takako, her sister and her parents. The Japanese really know how to do this in style. For a cost of £40 we had unlimited access to all the outdoor and indoor pools, hot baths, steam room, sauna, hot stone sauna and an hour long shiatsu massage. You have no reason to leave the place. Everyone is dressed in their gown, can have tea, lunch, ice-cream, play games on machines, c...

15.9.2008 What happens as we age? We arrived in Osaka with Takako today, having been on a bullet train I was doing my utter best to keep up with the gorgeous scenery outside, of mountains, rivers, small villages but as the train was moving so fast and kept going through mountains I soon began to feel seek and slept instead. The weather is getting worse by the day. Takako said that there is a typhoon expected so this week will be all cloudy and rainy. For me t...

15.9.2008 Goodbyes have never been my strong point As I said goodbye to John I couldnt hold back the tears. The bond I have with him is indescribable in words, infact as I had been writing little messages and quotes for him today's one was just about what I feel in my heart, gratitude and bliss, when there is only KNOWING and not verbalising. In his session there were many times he used the same words I had used in my note for him. I can't stop wondering wher...

Trees by Joyce Kilmer I THINK that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain....