Fantastic. I blame the constant changing from ice box air con to tropical heatwave every time I step in or outside.

Despite the sinus-related setbacks, it was still a pretty good week.

One of the highlights was Craig, Andy and I meeting up with the newly hired DHL graduates for dinner. It was great to chat with them about how they're getting on, and even more fun to exchange a few slang terms in English and Japanese. After all, we are here to learn.

I was also looking forward to the monthly Business Development team meeting where all of the gains, losses and potential opportunities get discussed, and I get to wear an earpiece while one of the lovely interpreting team lets me know what's actually happening, which makes me feel very important, even if this is not quite the case! Sadly, the meeting had to be cancelled on account of one of the accounts needing some on-site attention and our boss being called away. Not to be perturbed, the post meeting dinner still went ahead and I learned alot there too as I had a chance to have a really good chat with the team members.

At the very start of the week, we were treated to a visit to the General Motors facility in Iruma. The operation was slightly different to the others I'd seen so far, and it gave an opportunity to understand the workings of 4PL a little better. The people we met there were a delight as always and were more than ready to answer all of our questions.

One thing I forgot to mention was my participation in a ritual called Uchimizu, which essentially consists of you throwing water around outside your home or place of work but there is a purpose! This is to wash the dust away and attempt to cool the place down from the ground up. It was fun splashing about and I think it worked, but running about with the bottles probably evened out any cooling down that I achieved.

This week I'm looking forward to returning to the Gap operation in a neighbouring prefecture, and spending some time learning more about the DMAIC process and how this is put to practical use.

Also, the farewell parties have already started so I am both looking forward to, and not ready for, these!