Settling in.

I've been in Japan for ten days now and I'm starting to settle in. I don't think I'll be able to totally get comfortable until work has started and I've moved into my own space but until then, I'm getting used to getting around on the metro, trying lots of new food, attempting to remember all my training and trying to take in as much as possible now my eyes have refocussed.

This blog is a bit of a photo spam, definitely not all brilliant but I know some people will want to just see what I've been up to. These were mostly taken in and around Kitanomaru Park on Friday during a break I had between a training session and a meeting with a client. The sakura trees were beautiful but the light has let me down a little bit each time I've been out with my camera so far.

Jet lagged in Tokyo.

It's difficult to take the photos you want to take when your eyes can't focus. I didn't plan on making photos to reflect my jet lag, but it happened anyway. Once I got everything from the last couple of day onto my laptop these ones stood out as the more accurate depiction of my experience so far.... sort of blurry?

Japan

I am typing this while sitting in the, slightly chilly, living room of my friend Nathan's flat about 20km away from the centre of Tokyo. I was originally going to type out a little something for most of these photos but, having just scrolled through them by themselves, I think they tell the story without any help. So, here's a lot of what I saw these last two days...

So, I'm finally here! I started talking about doing this about four or five years ago and now I am actually doing it. The only way I can think of to describe how I'm feeling is that moment on a roller coaster right before the first big drop. You've been slowly hauled upwards with the ticking and clunking of the gears and motors. Then there's a brief moment at the top, which feels like it's lasting forever, right before you tip over the edge. It's completely your own doing that you're sat there in the first place but right then you don't have any control, you can't change your mind, it's inevitable now. THAT is what this feels like.

A final mad dash around the UK

My flight is on Wednesday. Less than a week away. How does one calculate how 'ready' one is? I still can't quite believe it's happening.

In my last two weeks in the UK I've been trying to see any many people as I can before I leave. I've done pretty well, especially considering how short-notice these trips were. I made it up to West Yorkshire and saw two aunties, three cousins and four first cousins once removed.

I call this one 'Mafia Gran'. When she's thinking or staring off into space she usually looks really angry. She does smile a lot really though, it must just be her face.

On Friday, I then headed South-East to Surrey to see another cousin and first cousin once removed. It's very difficult to take a bad photo of this kid, she's totally adorable. I got to read her a bed time story, The Gruffalo's Child. I hadn't ever read a Gruffalo book before, I think I was paying more attention to it than she was!

Scarily, this was my last trip to visit people before I fly out to Japan. Now I have a few bits and pieces left to sort out, pack my bags and GO!