Firtsly got back from Japan, very interesting but turned into a trip from hell. Firstly I had two very interesting travelling companions - one was a princess from the UK and the other was the grandson of the old Japenese emporer - talk about people that lived in a different world from this little ol Aussie (you know fleets of rolls royces, palaces (not kidding - the princess had three) plus I saw a 12 carrot champagne and black diamond ring - one of each). But saying all of that they were great people and we ended up having a couple of really good nights out. Great picture of the three of us walking down a streat in Tokyo arms around each other singing songs - lol - oh and of course alcohol was involved. Trust an aussie to corrupt royalty.
But the trip home turned into the trip from hell. I had carried a bunch of cash with me that was promptly stolen in Singapore on the way through to Tokyo. So I show up in Tokyo without a cent. All was ok until I went to check out of the hotle and realsied that the bill hadnt been paid back in india. So I had one of the moments where I realise im in Tokyo, no money, a 3000 hotel bill and no way to get to the airport to get home and no where to stay in my last night there. So many phone calls and anxious moments later the bill was paid. But I ended up taking 48 hours of travelling to get home in addition to sleeping on the floor of Narita aiport (Tokyo) and the same in Singapore. Oh well another chapter for the book of Andrew's travels.
So on the home front it is getting hard. Things between us are fine, just the stresses of debt collectors and generally no money. My wife has started to go through periods of crying and then anger but I know that this is just a sympton of the problems. Im a busy little listener, validator and supporter. It is hard hearing her under enourmous stress and crying but she is trying to support me. She said this week that she really wants me home (she doesnt say this much), she said she doesnt bring it up because she knows how hard it is for me here and she doesnt want to pressure me.
One big thing this week is that my wife finally acknowledged our money situation. One of the major problems in our M, from my perspective, was her inability to take any financial responsibility. She now realises that I am not hiding money anywhere and we are on the edge and shock horror she is budgeting (well miracles never cease - LOL). I have always shielded her from money problems - she has never had to work she just assumed there was a 'credit card' solution for everything. I think that this is a great lesson that she has learned. hey I know she will never be 'good' with money but at least she knows it does run out. Another interesting thing is that she has a glimpse of what life would be like if I decided to dissappear. We are currently refinancing houses to get some short term cash and it has hit her how much money we owe at the moment and that if 'somehting' was to happen to me then she couldnt manage financially herself. So she wants to sit down with me and plan out this out. These are all big steps forward for her and us.
As far as the business goes here we have reached the agreemnets and initial papers have been signed. The last document we had to finish was sent off today. All being well the transfer will happen before the 15th of next month and I have booked a flight for the 18th to get back to Aus and I am looking forward to a few weeks back home.
Oh well thanks for reading the ramblings.
Andrew
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To go forward you have to put the past behind you
