No real complaints so far!

Hey all,

About time for another small update from the world of Mr. and Mrs.King as they settle into and eventually conquer Hyogo prefecture!! (Insert evil laugh here). So it’s been a few weeks now since we landed here in Hyogo, and we really have landed on our feet. Hyogo has, so far, been very kind to us both. We have finished all the unpacking, paperwork and overall settling-in tasks, it took a bit of time to finally get the last box empty, but we’re there now.
The new apartment is looking fairly furnished, and pretty darn smart. As I write we are awaiting the final delivery, which will bring us a dining table and two chairs. We have splashed out a fair bit of cash on furnishing the new place.
When I got my first place in Hokkaido, I bought cheap stuff, which was clearly at an end when it came time to move south, So a few days (too many?) down here have been spent furniture shopping. Now we have a fully functioning kitchen, amazing new sofa, new dining table and chairs on their way, working shower, and 5 hours of DIY went into me building our new bed from IKEA...it’s fit for a king...or two! It’s so nice to have an apartment that has felt so homely so quickly.

I’m at the start of my second week of my new school teaching job. I had a couple of workshop days earlier in the month at the board of education, but they didn’t really have me do much, so those two days don’t count. School is going very well. No real complaints so far! After a week, all the schools I have been to so far seem great. The kids (by n large) are very friendly, and have welcomed me perfectly.
The board of education that I am working for is very professional; it has several English-speaking staff members which sure helps when it comes to paperwork and contracts. My schedule is also very organized, and I’m not too overworked and neither do I have those days where I’m sat at my desk twiddling my thumbs (Which I’m sure has something to do with only working in elementary schools now).

I’ve begun to really feel that Hyogo is now where I call home. I do miss aspects of Hokkaido, most noticeably my friends. I am looking forward to returning to Hokkaido later in the year when the winter and snow returns. One major aspect that has helped me feel at ease here is the weather. Sure it rains a lot more than up north, but the warm sunny evenings driving back from work, windows down, refreshing breeze...I’m not going to get tired of them any time soon, that’s for sure! As I type he sun is shining through the windows. Days sure pass a lot quicker with weather like this!
The only issue I’m having at the moment is a rotten cold. I guess my body was so used to the weather of Hokkaido that this warmer weather is going to take a little while to acclimatize to...that and all the fresh bugs I’m no doubt picking up off all my new students. Nothing a bit of medicine and some fruit shouldn’t cure (and a stick to keep the kids at distance).

Golden week is fast approaching, and Michiko and I have plans to drive over to Kochi to meet her mum (Yes, I’m still yet to meet her!), and all Michiko’s friends from high school. I’m a bit nervous, but I’m sure they are all wonderful. I’ll update my blog once golden week has passed and the summer term at school begins.
Thank you for reading!
Much love to you all!