Let's try again

I'm back to give Japan another shot. The company sounds good, and I'm so pleased to get an apartment to myself. Things are really hectic at the moment, my certificate hasn't been delivered when it was supposed to be, so it's knocking back everything.

Home wise, I've really drifted apart from a lot of friends, most of who are busy doing the long term relationship, living together, mortgage and wedding planning thing. I'm 21, and really don't feel ready for all that. Taking off for a year seems much more appealing.

Some friends are a bit hacked off I won't be able to visit them before I go, the thing is the cost and time of travelling to them from Ulverston, and the distinct lack of any offers to sleep on their sofa. Five hours on a train and a hotel in the city don't come cheap. Some friends pay half my fair and lend me a bed, so it's swings and roundabouts.