Bittersweet Endings

So one adventure comes to an end, and a new one is beginning. We're leaving Japan in 3 days. It's hard to believe that our time here has come and gone, and like all impacting experiences, it seems as though it's gone at the same time quickly and very slowly. I am thankful that we have had the opportunity to come here, grow together and experience so many things as a couple. Now, it's time to get on with the next part of our future.

Our friends Al and Lane arrived for Golden Week and, as promised, were taken all over Tokyo, Ashikaga and Nikko. Not only did we get in everything on the itinerary (with the exception of the fish market) but we got in some extra, too! To say it was an action - packed week is putting it lightly! We definitely experienced a lot and all of us were exposed to some new sites and tastes in Japan. And, with the exception of the natto experiment, Al and Lane seemed to enjoy all the new things. :) Thanks guys, for coming to visit!

We also had an unexpected visitor the weekend after - Tio (Uncle) John! He had come to Japan for business for the first time, and we were happy to also show him around a little in Tokyo Saturday and Sunday. It was great to spend time with you, Tio John! We've been so lucky to have so many come visit during our stay here. It's great to be able to show people close to you first-hand what you are experiencing, see if their first impressions are similar to yours, and what stands out to them.

This weekend, our friends Michi and Yuki hosted us at their house for a goodbye party. They have been great friends to us here, and developing the friendship with them is one of the best things we've done here. The best way to get to know a culture and people is by forming deep relationships and frienships with them, share differences and similarities, and learn about each other. They invited us into their home, cooked us dinner, invited us to spend the night, and cooked breakfast in the morning! It was great quality time with wonderful people.

The students and teachers found out at the beginning of last week that we're leaving, and so the send - offs have started. Jon's school held an assembly exclusively to send him off on Friday, and he read a speech he had written and had translated into Japanese for the students. Tomorrow morning I will do the same. We've both written goodbye speeches for our students and for the teachers which we will read, and we hope to be able to transmit to them the depth of our appreciation and love for them. Of course we've learned so much thanks to them about Japanese culture and kindness, and there are so many things we'll never forget.

The next few days are sure to go by in a blur of packing, cleaning, hugs and tears. Although we're ready to go home, we will miss many things about this beautiful country and people. We hope to say only "see you!" to Japan and that we'll be able to come back some day, not too far in the future. For now, though, sayonara, Nihon! Arigato gozaimasu!