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Its 08:26 and I'm sat on my bed in a very empty room. Just me my bags and a couple of bits of furniture. And in about 5 and a half hours ill start my 19 hour trip to Japan. Feels kinda weird that its here. I've been talking about this trip for at least 7 years and bored everyone I know with my plans. I've spent the last week and a half saying good byes which is a strange experience.

Last Friday I had a works leaving meal at a Japanese tapanyaki restaurant, where the chefs flip spatulas and flick food in your face as you try and catch it in your mouth. It was a really good night and all my work friends turned out in force as well as my girlfriend Cat. I think everyone had a great time.

The following day I left for home (Guernsey) to see the family. Mum has a lot of worries about this trip. I can understand it, I have all the same worries and I've assured her that I've checked and double checked everything. It was a nice weekend. There were trips to the beach for ice cream and a mammoth pool session down the pub (where I won 5 out of 6 games) and just being around my family was great as I don't see them often enough. I can tell dad is really excited for me and I know mum is when you get past all the fears she has. My sister says she may even try to visit which will be great.

Mid week I got back and travelled up to Newport to spend the rest of the week with Cat, she was at work most of the day so I got to hang out with her brother and play PS2, and in the evenings me and cat got to spend time together,

Friday we came back down to Brum for my leaving curry, this was for my housemates and friends from Jitsu, there was a good turn out and I got a present of a wind up koi carp which is coming with me to Japan (thanks Morty). Cat and I got to spend all of Saturday and Sunday together and my dad picked up all my gear in a big van.

Saturday night I had my last Nandos for a while and said another goodbye to my Dad, even though he puts on a brave face for mums sake I can tell he's got his own worries about my trip and I think they were on his mind, he sent me a text message later that night which I wont put on here, but I saved it and just like he did when I went to uni for the first time, ill keep it for the year. He can delete it when I get back.

Sunday was a good day. Just chilling in bed watching episodes of Frasier with Cat. Talking a walk and eating junk food. Saying goodbye that night was hard and tearful but she knows ill be in contact with her all the time form Japan and she's gonna come visit in January.

Monday was the first session for freshers at my Jitsu club. I've been training there for the last 2 years and have made some of my best and closest friends there, in which I include the sensei. It's a great club and everyone who trains there loves what they do. It's strange to see people I helped teach rolling too, kicking ass at gradings and whipping up the ranks. There was what looked like 40 new people trying out Jitsu for the first time and enjoying it, when I come back in a year I should expect a few of those people to be orange or green belts.

The last two days have been frantic filling in forms, cleaning my room out and running about sorting out all manner of things including getting my Jitsu licence signed before I left. Went to the cinema with Mortimer and Gordon and then on the way home grabbed a pizza.

I finished the night off chatting on Skype to my family and Cat

I've realised I've just waffled but gotta keep you all informed. It's now 5 to 9 and I have to grab my stuff and head off, I'm gonna be travelling until Thursday but by Friday should have some pictures to put up and will add some more to this blog.