Going home tomorrow

Well, the adventure's over and I will be on a plane back to America tomorrow. I feel that this is such a pivitol moment in my life and I am truly going to treasure and miss my experience here.

While I've moved plenty of times before, leaving Japan is different: it's leaving a way of life, a culture, an adventure. It's the conclusion of a dream. It's the beginning of a career. It's the end of a chapter and the start of a new one.

It's a big deal. And while I am so excited for what lies ahead, I can't help but think about how much I will miss this place and my life here. It's changed me, and I think it will take weeks, maybe even months to fully reflect on and appreciate this experience.

I wish that I took more pictures.

Today, I said my final goodbyes to most of my students, and the showering of support and sadness that they demonstrated was amazing. It's such a great feeling to know that my students aren't angry at me at all. Rather, they are sad because they will miss me and because I've been a good teacher and friend to them. They brought me presents, wrote me cards and letters, and drew me pictures.

On more than one occasion, their outpouring made me cry. In particular, a group of students brought me a special Japanese charm that is believed to help heal, to give to my mother to help her recover. This truly moved me. And while I am not at all a crier, there were plenty of tears of pure happiness today.

What a perfect way to end this journey.

So, today is my last day at work, and I fly home the following afternoon. It's a 2 hour train ride to the airport, followed by a series of 3 flights totalling 18+ hours. Needless to say, I'll be tired. Once I arrive, I have a full week of back to back interviews all over the Northeast. I'm really excited about this and I have a really good feeling about some of the institutions I'm interviewing with.

This will be my last blog from Japan and maybe my last until after all of my interview madness is over and I am at home with my family in Georgia. So, wish me luck with everything, especially with the interviews. And hopefully when I post a blog next time, it will be to announce my next job.

Thanks to everyone who has made this experience generally such a positive one, and thanks to everyone who has read my blog and actually taken an interest in my life here while I have been away. It means a lot to me.

Cheers!