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!