Had my last jab today, so I'm immune to everything now. I'm glad there all done and means I'm one step closer to being all set for my trip. Left on the list are insurance and an international sim card. I was going to have my phone contract cancelled to save me money while I was away, as I wouldn't be able to use my orange sim without massive roaming charges. but when I went to cancel it they told me I needed to return the phone, pay them thirty quid and I would lose my number.....sod that. So I've lowered my tariff and will just have to lump the monthly charge. Not happy but I don't want to give up my phone or the number I've had for the past 6 or so years. I'll be off the STA travel in the week to get my insurance and they do a sim card for international travel. Works out allot cheaper than roaming charges but I still wont be using it much, just for emergencies.

Got to get back into the Japanese practice as its only 44 days till I go and I can only speak a few sentences like hello goodbye say my name is Carl etc. and some really simple stuff along with numbers and colours, basically a 2 year Japanese kid is well ahead of me so I've gotta get my ass in gear. Got my phrase book on me at the mo and have a couple of Japanese language programs to get me started. I think I'll learn fastest when I'm there and have no other choice but to learn or pretend I'm mute and/or ignorant.

Told work I was going on Friday. I was nervous but it went well and I've sorted out my leaving date etc. everyone seems happy for me and were gonna have a few leaving drinks and a Japanese meal on my last day on the 18th of September. This will give me 12 days before I leave the UK to make sure I'm prepared and packed. That weekend I leave work I'm going to head home to Guernsey for a couple of days to see my family, its gonna be a while before I see them again other than chatting online so it will be really nice to have weekend with them. And I think my mum needs some more reassurance. I'll take a few pics of my leaving do and my trip home and post them on here.