I grew up in a city called Leeds in the Mid-North of England, about 3 hours from Liverpool and 1 hour from Manchester. I moved around a lot and lived in a lot of different areas and even in different towns sometimes. I wasn't a bad student but I found studying quite hard and luckily always managed to pass whatever test or finish the homework I had. I really loved to draw and would spend all break time at school drawing Garfield (a popular cartoon character) in the mud around the playground.

As I became older I didn't find studying any easier but I started taking an interest and learning about music. I studied piano for 1 year (and didn't really like it) but after quitting the lessons, I still enjoyed copying and playing songs that I liked or heard. I also started to learn to play guitar, using an old book of chords and my aunt's old guitar. It didn't sound great but being able to recreate the songs that I knew was really satisfying. At this time, Japanese computer games, manga and anime had finally arrived in the UK. Although there had been exposure to all sorts of Japanese culture (mainly martial arts, though including art, literature and popular culture) this was the time in 1996 when it really hit everyone. Being 17 years old, I was part of the generation that was affected most by this new boom. Because of my interest in art and creativity, I was mesmerised by all the things that I could experience and I was quite overwhelmed. This is when I tentatively started to learn Japanese.

I still clearly remember; I had bought a Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 for the gameboy (as Japanese imported products were often more popular than the official translated works) the availability of official Japanese products in the UK was much slower than the demand) and I noticed that the name "mario" was represented as 3 (I later found to be katakana) characters. Comparing other character's names (wario), I deduced that each character stood for a sound (ma/wa, ri and o). Without a teacher it was really difficult but due to my growing love for all things Japanese, it never seemed boring or even that difficult as I had so much motivation to learn.

A few years later I studied in Bristol (a city 4-5 hours drive, West of London) where I learned about digital artwork, basic programming and a lot of new and interesting experiences with new friends from all over the country. This was when I really had to fend for myself; working part time to supplement my support money from my parents and cooking and feeding myself. That started a love of cooking; particularly cooking the foods I liked to eat (which eventually extended to my love for cakes and desserts).

After graduating, I worked in many different types of companies; printing, design, electronics and even as a music promoter! I had a lot of good and very bad experiences which helped me become stronger and to appreciate what I could do and what to expect of others. It was at this point when I started working at the University back in my hometown. I worked in the administration and would have to provide support for the 30,000 or so students (and international students) at the University. I made many friends and could finally practice my strange Japanese that I had been cultivating until now (I think I had to drop back about 40% of what I thought I had learned...). I would help my friends with checking their English essays and try to show them as much British culture as possible.

One such friend was a Masters Student from Kyoto, and despite the language barrier (her English was thankfully better than my Japanese), work, study and deadlines, we became close friends. We spent a lot of time together and I really enjoyed taking trips in the UK and travelling around Europe and being able to introduce her to the beautiful places, historical sites and amazing food that I was also experiencing for the first time myself.

Although it had only been maybe 4-5 months I knew that she was the girl I would marry. I didn't ask her right then and there (!) but before she left to come back to Japan we talked about our possible future together (in which we both strongly agreed we would live in Japan...).

So finally I made it here and even though I don't have any strong skills, and my aim is not to "become" Japanese, I want to do as much as I can to help the people of Japan with their future. If I can help with anything I want to do so (especially if it involves learning English or cooking). While no country is perfect, Japan is probably the best place to live on Earth and I want to help keep it that way.

Best of luck in everything you do. Thank you for reading!

Jamie