Moving along.

Preparations for Japan are moving along rather briskly now. Today I talked with a travel agent and booked my flight into Osaka (Kansai International) airport. My flight leaves the afternoon of May 7th and, as usual, arrives the afternoon of next day. This is good as it will allow me a few days to unwind and un-jetlag before I start training.

Still no word on housing (or exact location where I'll be living) but that sould be forthcoming in the next few weeks. Only 40 days until departure:

Jaa Mata Ne.

When it rains...

Today, I received a deposit into my bank account from the Japanese government on behalf of my former employer. I can now afford to move back to Japan!

Big News!

It pleases me greatly to announce that I've received and accepted a placement offer from my new company. I will be moving to the Kansai area in early May. Kansai is a large region in the southern part of the main island of Japan. It contains the major cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Kobe; and is also home to Japan's largest lake, lake Biwa. It is and area of great natural beauty and historical significance. For those of you who remember my friend Sparks, you will recall that he lived in this area during his year in Japan. Many new challenges await as I will doubtlessly live in a much more rural atmosphere this time around. In addition there is a local dialect (similar to a southern-drawl) that I need to learn (so I don't sound like a city boy to the locals).

I should find out more specifically where I'm going (i.e. city name) in a few weeks. Until then:
Jaa Mata Ne.