I am now at the Ryuo library using the computer I first used to write from Japan, but now they have gmail blocked so I can't check my email. It's my last day in Japan and I'm living to the fullest. I'll be having lunch with my sucessor, going to Hippo, hanging out with friends before church, then spending my last evening with church folks. Tonight I'll stay at Naito sensei's house and I take the 8:40 bus to the airport tomorrow.
I've been having a wonderful last few days here in Japan. I've been able to spend time with some of my favorite people be quite relaxed even though I'm homeless now. I'm too sad that I'm leaving people I love to be happy I'm coming home and too happy I'm coming home to be depressed about leaving. I suppose that's a good thing, but I feel like my heart is tearing in two. How did I ever think I could have a fun year in Japan and then forget about it? I suppose it would be easy to leave if I hadn't gotten so invovled, but then what would be the point?
See many of you soon! Goodbye, Japan. Yoroshiku!
Comments
Every place I've lived -- and even some, like Pittsburgh, New Zealand, and Japan, I've only visited -- I feel as if I've left part of my heart. I think that's because getting to know new places, and especially making new friends, causes the heart to grow. Never forget, keep in touch, and plan to visit someday!
Posted by
SursumCorda
on Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 7:03 am
Update on my actual last day in Japan. I don't count sitting in an airport as being a day in Japan, but here I am with lots of time to wait before my flight leaves because everything went as smooth as butter. The immegration officials even continued to speak to me in Japanese because I guess they thought my Japanese was good enough. That's a little pat on the back for me as I walk out the door. I got 4 hours of sleep last night, so I'm still numb and a bit out of it. I wonder when it will hit me that I'm really leaving. Well, internet is not as expensive in Japan as it was in Italy, but I don't have much time on this computer. I just wanted to let people know that I'm past all the difficult points (that I know of) and am safly waiting for my flight. I think I got to this point before the bus was even scheduled to make it to the airport. Thanks to everyone who made my last few days (and whole year) in Japan so wonderful. I'll miss you all! And to those folks in America, see you SOON! Love, Janet
Posted by
Harp
on Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 11:53 pm
This is really amazing. I remember when we were in Rochester in 1980 and a friend from Family Medicine received a letter in a post office "body bag" that had been lost in the mail. Normally they don't deliver mail to an address if the name doesn't have some semblance to the current resident's name - but in this case they made an exception. The letter had been mailed in 1946! It had been stuck in an obscure corner of a post office which was being torn down in 1980, 34 years later. Its contents were instructions on how/when and where to meet the sender -- who was coming into NYC by boat from South America!!
I can only imagine the possible frustration and confusion and interpersonal relationship problems caused by this failure to deliver. And now, Janet can even keep us up to date between her bus ride and her international flight. Wow.
Posted by
Dad-o
on Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 9:40 am
Janet is back in the U.S.! She sounded exhausted when she called from NYC, after the two-hour trek from one gate to the other, dragging heavy luggage through elevators, streets, and even hills.... I think I'll let her sleep late tomorrow. :)
Posted by
SursumCorda
on Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 6:57 pm
She's home safe and sound, if exhausted. :) I'm sure she'll write an update when she's a bit more awake....
Posted by
SursumCorda
on Monday, August 07, 2006 at 1:31 am
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