My time at home sweet home

Yesterday I returned to Japan after a great 2 and a half week break in England. What can I say about my time at home...well, it was truly wonderful!! All of my family and friends were extremely welcoming, ready with hugs, interested in my life in Japan, and simply fab! My time back at my parents' house was lovely, and I felt immediately at home, as I was allowed all my favorite meals, resumed my habbit of lying on my bed, watching TV and making a mess, and had lots and lots and lots of hugs! It felt a little strange to be back in England at first, and I did spend the whole holiday noticing things such as ''ooh, i can have a jokey conversation with the taxi driver", "wow, everything in this clothes shop fits me", "my, this is a beautiful city", and "yey, I can read every street sign, and every item on the menu!".....Basically, all the things that don't apply to my life in Japan!!! After suffering with a harsh bout of jetlag in my first week, I soon settled back into 'normal' life, and enjoyed all of my time with my folks, my meals out and shopping trips with friends, my weekend in York, my health spa break with my Mum, and my 2 days in London with Paul. Here is a complete rundown of these very highlights: (warning...this is a very lovey-dovey...almost like an oscar-acceptance speech!)

- Mum & Dad...thanks for having me!!!! Dad, you know you love the noise and mess I bring to the house! Mum, your hugs were on top form, and I had a real giggle with you. I love you both lots, and can't wait to see you again (for longer!) next year! Thanks for indulging my meal requests, for letting me sleep late (and early, as I nodded off through Spirited Away!), and for letting me show you all my photos! You were troopers! Mum, keep up the origami, and post me a crane soon!

- Lisa, thanks for 2 great shopping days....our random conversations and laughs will never change Im sure! I had a great day also with Lisa at Ruth's house. Lisa and Ruth are my two oldest friends (old in length of friendship, not age!!), and 2 of my bestest bestest friends! We always have a giggle when the 3 of us get together, and our day together was no exception. Our conversation topics may have changed a little (I do believe the word 'mortgage' was mentioned in one conversation!..eek!) from our slumber parties when we were 14, but our friendship is still fabulous, and I love them both to bits! I had a great dinner and cinema trip with my school friend Craig....some wonderfully bitchy chats, dirty laughs, and one hell of a scary movie (War of the Worlds)!

- I had an amazing three day break at Champneys Health Spa with my Mum, thanks to my Dad winning a competition and managing to arrange that we could go whilst I was home! Mum and I have always wanted to go to a health spa...and it definitely lived up to expectations. Sauna, whirlpool, massage, facial, detox wrap, pilates class, relax class, beautiful food, lounging and snoozing in fluffy robes, and lots of giggles, crane making, and chats with my Mum! We had a wonderful time, and Dad now has instructions to win another comp just in time for my return next summer!

- My weekend in York was great! I enjoyed a fab day with another of my bestest friends, Heather on the friday, and we seemed to spend the whole day wandering from one cafe, or eating establishment to another! Seriously we were pigs that day, and even found room for some of York's famous fudge! Yum! Just as with all my other friends, Heather and I had no problems in picking up where we left off, and quickly fell into our old sarcastic, comedic, and life-dwelling (!!) conversations and routines! I stayed at Louise's on the friday and sat night, and she was an amazing host....she even baked me brownies! She made me feel so welcome, and was generous and sweet as always. We had a great lunch together on saturday, along with my work-friend Jenny, who I was also relieved to see had stayed as fun and random as always. Uni-friend (and Japan visitor) Julie arrived in the afternoon, and we had a girly getting ready session at Louises'. I had a great night out with 8 of wonderful friends, where I drank a lot of white wine, and enjoyed a fabulous Pizza Express feast! Sunday was spent with another bestest bestest school friend, Vicki...and we had a lovely day around York...shopping, pub-lunch, and the afternoon in the sun at the 'maize maze'. Vicki is a really genuine, kind and fun person, and it was great to catch up with her properly after a year of very little contact (She doesnt use internet or e-mail!) Miss you Vic, and I promise I'm coming back to York one day!

- My last 2 days in England were spent with my dear ole bro! We had a great chinese takeaway feast at Paul's on wednesday night, and fabulous sausage and mash in London on thursday. Paul was fab to spend time with, as always, and managed to put up with my impromptu singing, loudness, and general stupidity!! Thanks for helping me finish my hols with fun and great food lil bro. I always have a great time with you in London, and I look forward to spending a little longer there with you next year!

I certainly do feel at home here in Japan, and am still greatly looking forward to the next 11 months of new experiences, new travels, and new friends. However, there is still no place like home.....my real home....England! For all of its faults and failings (and by god I noticed them even more while I was at home this time!), it is still a beautiful, friendly, and cozy country, with some truly great people (my friends and family in particular!), and one day I look forward to settling down there for good. So for now, England, I bid you farewell....until next time.....