Goodbye, WBS

On Friday I left my job in the MBA team at WBS.

I’ve spent over a year in my first ‘proper job’ and have to admit I’m sad to leave just when I felt like I actually knew what I was talking about…

The team gave me a lovely card and some Yennies – my task is to find something that will remind me of the MBA team and brighten up my little apartment! When I’ve bought something I’ll post it on here for everyone to see.

Bye Bye WBS

So now it’s the final countdown. I’m spending the last few days doing important and grown up stuff. I have my shiny new visa, the third Japanese visa in the same passport and it’s so pretty!

Working Holiday Visa

My Yennies were delivered yesterday, and I’ve just booked myself a cushy extra legroom seat (I can use ‘cushy’ for Virgin Atlantic’s economy class!). But in my Yennies I had a little surprise… who is THIS guy?

2000 Yen Note

I have only ever seen 2000 Yen notes in the UK. In my whole year living in Japan other than the first few I’d gotten rid of, I never ever had one. I wonder why this is…?

My last few days will be spent trying to fit my whole life into 23kgs, and having some fun with my family, friends and boyfriend. See you all on the flipside!

 

Nippon Calling

So it’s 31 days until I leave for Japan and everything is beginning to fall into place!

I paid a deposit on a flat in Koenji through a company called Fontana - you can reserve around two months in advance as long as you pay a deposit – I paid by paypal so it was really easy. I was assigned my own agent who was great in recommending rooms and when a room became available he notified me straight away with first refusal.

I’ll be living 4 minutes away from Koenji station, here is my little home!

My Entire Apartment

My Bathroom

I have also been told of my placement with GABA – I will be working at the Learning Studio in Shinjuku. I’m really pleased with this placement – I know Shinjuku really well and it’s only a 10 minute commute on the Chuo line. 

 

Overall GABA have been great providing me with lots of information in advance, and they sent me a huge information pack with info on getting the Alien Registration card, bank accounts etc. I feel a little reassured that I’ve done all of this before, but the nerves are kicking in without the Keio support network!

もう一度!

After around a year and a half of absence, I’ll be returning to J.

I have been offered a job with GABA as an English Instructor in Tokyo, beginning in October 2011.

I’ll be flying out to Japan on October 8th using my airmiles (thank you Virgin!) and landing on October 9th.

More to follow…

未来がある – I have a future

A friend asked me “are you really that desperate to go back to Japan?”. Well, yes. Yes I am.

The next plan is pretty simple. Work work work work. Get some money. Pay off my debts here and then save up as much as possible for…

A year on a working holiday visa.

So, bring it on, 日本! I’ll be seeing you guys soon!

Interac 2010