Getting right to it-

You know, I’m tinkering with the idea, but -no. I don’t really want to make these things shorter. These posts. There’s too much to say, too much happening. And forget you, hah, well I mean the process is really for me. To get things out there and bounce them off of the ether. Let those thoughts fly and those feelings be expunged or expanded? Hm.
But alas ! Here we be on another Monday. These are sweet days for me. I was just chatting about with a friend today about it. Mondays. I may not be too busy, besides all of the pre-preparations goings on for my departure, but aye. I love Mondays these days. Mondays are quite like a foothold or another notch in the belt as I near that big ‘lift off’ to another place. The next stage. Haha. Speaking of travel, for me there is nothing quite like it. (Oh, and if you’ll be patient a moment I’ll get right to all that Japan stuff. Won’t be a moment) Something about saddling up and loading your pockets with a sponge or adhesive. Some medical tape or duct tape. A few ear plugs or whatever it takes you to be comfortable and you go. Usually for me it includes a few staple-things. When I travel I like to have a bandana. These things are just fab. I use them as eye masks, a head cover to hide my hideous travel hair -after a few hours on the airplane, you know what I mean. I tie them around my neck to add some faux style to my travel look or just to shield my neck from any chilly air that might make me sneeze. Bandanas are a great handkerchief or just a great accessory in case someone, Lola forbid, needs a tourniquet for an appropriate medical reason. Well, you get the point. Just today I was prepping myself for hours of delays, departure lounges, napping on airport seating chairs. Anything from airplane food which I find rather mysterious and fun, or just jet lag. Yup, that sweet oversleep or undersleep or whatever lack of sleep one tends to experience. That’s right. Travel. There’s nothing quite like it for me.
And of course all of this travel is connected to that place. Japan. Like when one steps into a shallow pool before jumping right in and swimming about. Unless you are crazy or just love water, you might acclimate yourself to the pool. I feel I’ve been dipping my foot into this whole ‘Japan departure’ experience. Well, I’ve got to tell ya, I’ve been in and out of that shallow end a whole lot lately and I’m about right ready to just jump right in to the deep. Speaking, reading, looking, watching, waiting -all in Japanese. Oh, its coming alright. I’ve only two weeks -full weeks until departure.
Those two lonely creatures have wandered out of my crawlspace. My suitcases. Two rather large and blackish-looking beasts. They are hungry from their long slumber and are ready to have their fill. To dine out on dress shirts, ties, socks, suits and any other thing that they can extract from my wardrobe and zip up inside them. I don’t blame them. It’s been a while. One thing that I can’t get over is how soon this is all happening again. It was just last summer in about June when I was in Japan last. And oh, it was quite a trip ! But here, my bed is covered with and infection of books, pamphlets, gifts, trinkets. All things that I am taking with me to Japan this time.
A little bit more packing and I will have supplied myself with all I think I will need for a year. Or at least all the things I could think to pack to start me off in Japan this time ’round. What would be one thing that I couldn’t think to leave my home without, you ask ? Well, that would have to be a large and loafing sweater. See, I know that I’ll be going north in Japan. I know that it may be windy and cold or maybe just a bit breezy but this large and rather bi-colour shoulder hugger of a sweater will be my shield. As long as I have something from home that is comfy and necessitate I’ll be just fine. Don’t mean I won’t miss the rather tasty and lavish breakfasts I’ve been enjoying at home lately (Photo soon to follow. Ten points if you can guess which film the photo’s from). It’s just that its nice to have something familiar nearby. And frankly, I will indeed be spending a lot of time finding nice new bits and places in my new soon-to-be home to call my own. Until that happens I’ll have just a few familiar comforts.

And then so far as preparations it has come down to this. A few more days (just a matter of weeks actually. Two, in fact) until I make one final swoop out to Vancouver. Attend one more pre-departure seminar, collect the good ol’ passport/visa, flight info and we’re off. There has been a trickle of information coming from my new post (or locale abroad). Details of my future accommodation. The news of what sunsets are like, what shops are nearby and what technicalities might be good to pay attention to in my contract. Little bits of information that add to the whole experience. Thanks to my heart-y predecessor or fellow whose place I’ll be filling over in Japan.
I would want to say that I have more information or insights to share, but I am just as excited for me as you are. Or I am just as excited as. . well, either way. I’m ready ! A few plans have been made to very hopefully see a good friend or two upon my arrival -just maybe. But the truth of the matter is that after the last few very recent months of preparation and paperwork place-ing I will be starting work. And, that’s right, work day in and day out. All I can do is lace up my running shoes and ready myself to sprint about from one school to another, sharing one after another where I’m from and who I am. I am rather excited to see all these new places and faces. All those peoples that will be welcoming me in a town soon to be my home.
I am impressed with all the organization and precision with which this whole Programme is coordinated. And just to think that a short while ago I was on the outside looking in. . Now instead I am here. Looking from the inside out. Teeming with excitement and information just willing to talk just about anyone’s ear off about what I’m going through ! Right. If you have someone that needs to know about Japan or the possibility of going there, hah. After a year of applications and waiting I do have some info to share ! But really. I have arrived here and haven’t even started. The real story is about to begin. The people have been great, the process has been kind. But until I’m standing in my new doorstep looking outside my front door at the wonderful world and possibilities that lie before me (in the upcoming workweeks) I won’t really know what I’ve gotten myself into. But I’m sure it’ll be one heck of a lovely ride (on all sides).
And to you, I’m hoping that the coming of summer has brought some freshness, some appeal. I need only look around and see the bright colours, feel the hot sun and summer air to appreciate what is before me. My hopes that you have some time for a short holiday. Even if that holiday means just a day off. But go and see it. Go and have a look around wherever you are and remember, some of us are just beginning something -and the rest of you are out there blazing a trail up ahead. Keep on and well, thanks.