Thank you everyone!

It’s almost 5pm on Sunday afternoon and I should be packing my bags for Japan. But as I’m rolling t-shirts and trying to fit muffin mix amongst dress shoes, I keep dropping little tears and saying, “I can’t go, I can’t leave home again.”

I’m about to start my third year and Japan and this is the hardest goodbye to my family that I’ve ever had. The past two months have been split between my home(s) in the south and a trip in Europe and all along the way I’ve been loved and supported by my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, my grandparents and uncles and aunts and cousins, my Mexican buddy, long time friends, newly met friends, and complete strangers. I’ve been blessed and cared for so much—thank you!!

I feel good about the future that awaits me in Japan with a new job in a new city. There’s A LOT to do when I return, but I know Beppu is the best place for me right now. The hardest part is leaving all that I have here in America. Honestly, I’m so amazed at how my family has taken care of me while I’ve been here.

Julie and Paul, I love staying with you two. You house is so lovely and there’s always good food there. Thank you for the Wii party and giving so much while I was there. I’ll be waiting for you in Japan! Come and visit!!

Mom and Dad, thank you so much for all you’ve done for me. The love of a parent for their child must be the greatest form of love capable by human beings. I’ve been so comfortable here and leaving is breaking my heart. I love you both so much.

As I’ve said before, living in Japan is a dream of mine…and often times in order to accomplish our dreams, we have to sacrifice something. The end result is of course more amazing than the initial tears, but still those tears do hurt.

Good bye America, I’ll see you again another day.