2 weeks…

And it’s finally sinking in.  In 2 weeks, I’ll be on my way back home for good.  Looking back on all the frustrations throughout the year, I can still say this has been one of the best and most memorable years of my life.  I gave my farewell speech to the school today (in Japanese so that everyone would understand) and I guess that’s when it hit everyone, including myself, that I was leaving.  For the rest of the day, students wanted to talk with me, which was a little difficult with their lack of English and my lack of Japanese.  But I’ve gotten used to the broken and confused conversations and I’ll miss them (both the conversations and the students). 

Tomorrow will be my last karate class here in Japan, which is also sad because training here has been amazing even though it’s only been once a week. 

I’m off to Kyoto for the long weekend, which I feel a little unprepared for but it should be fun.  As long as the transportation and hotel are booked, I think the sightseeing will take care of itself.  Even if it isn’t as efficient as I would like. 

I’m disappointed that I can’t express the bittersweetness that I feel about leaving Japan.  4 months ago I was hating Japan and couldn’t wait to come home.  But since then it’s been amazing.  I guess I’ll have a new adventure to begin once I’m home.