Saigo desu.

Some pictures from me enjoying my last few weeks in Japan. I've gotten a few going-away parties in some of my classes, and lots and lots of presents which is awesome. And last night 2 of my students surprised me and took me out to an izakaiya for dinner and drinking- and gave me presents too. I am so damn spoiled here. I just have to find room in my suitcase to bring the stuff home!

Some cute students :) Sometimes my camera does this weird thing where in some of the pics lips show up black - I don't know why it does this- but it sucks. I've had to learn how to paint fake lipstick on them in Photoshop! 

 

At a Korean BBQ party 

Me and "Masta"- the owner of my favorite bar- Maykiss Part III 

Watching the World Cup on an outdoor screen 

The guy on the right was some random Austrian dude that we met who was visiting on business 

  

Some visiting Americans/Canadians from Pascal's company 

9 days!

Craziness!
After spending 15 months here, I will leave it completely behind me as I head home to the U.S. Not just my life here- but friends, my job, things I've gotten used to doing, and experiences. This is sad for me because I've never really had to say goodbye to so many people that I will probably never see again in my life- and if I do happen to see them again, it's just temporary- they will never be a part of my normal life. I can't call them up on a Friday to see what they're up to and if they want to hang out. I've never lived outside of Oregon before and no matter where you move to in Oregon- the chances of seeing friends in other parts of the state again are good. I won't get to do that with friends that I've met here.

But don't get me wrong, I'm really excited to come home- and I have some damn good friends that I can't wait to see! So, it's gonna be bittersweet. But, I'm choosing to come home. I don't have to leave Japan now anyway- I could stay and work longer, but I know it's time to come home. I feel that I've gotten everything out of the experience that I can get, and I need to move on.

But where?

I don't know if I'll be content yet to just come home and stay in Oregon for the rest of my life- let alone in the U.S. Coming to Japan just makes me want to travel more- and live in other countries abroad. It's such an amazing, mind-blowing experience. Nothing is simple or easy - whether it's just trying to communicate with people or trying to understand the environment. Which can be frustrating at times- but mind stimulating most of the time. Almost everyday you learn or think about something new- and because of this, life is rarely boring.

I've learned so much during my time here- things about myself, other people, and the world- to narrow it down. One main thing I've learned is to appreciate things more. I think I appreciated things in life before I came- experiences, family & friends, and opportunities, but coming here has made me learn to appreciate them even more. Things that I would never have even started to learn or even think about if I had never left home.

I've met some amazing, interesting, and generous people from all over the world. Not just in Japan- but from traveling in Thailand and Hong Kong. Most of the other travelers I've met have one main thing in common- they are happy, laid-back people. You have to be, to be able to adapt to any environment (or try to, anyway) and have fun along the way.

Making the decision to come to Japan was the best I've made in my life. And it's easy to say that. Before leaving the U.S. I had no idea how my year would turn out here- and I didn't know if I was making the best decision at the time. I broke my house lease, I moved all of my furniture from Portland to Grants Pass after moving it all from Eugene to Portland 7 months before, and I had no money. It was not the "responsible" thing to do at the time- but thank God I did it. And I wouldn't have been able to do it without all the support from my wonderful family and friends, so thank you.

I look forward to sitting down and talking with each and every one of you very soon:)

Love ya!

At an izakaiya 

At Joyfull 

our hotel

don't worry- this is legal for the passenger in Japan

our rental car- Nissan Cube

Okinawa ni ikimashita! Totemo tanoshikatta!!

I just got back from spending an amazing 3 days in Okinawa. It was the only place left in Japan that I hadn't been to that I really wanted to see- so I was lucky to finally get the chance to go. It was so beautiful- white sand beaches and amazing bluish green water. Our first day we had really nice sunny weather, but the last 2 days were kinda rainy- but it was still warm enough to swim at the beach though. Our hotel was pretty nice too- and it was great to get away for the weekend and relax!