The Last One

The long-awaited final installment of my blog has finally arrived! Although the majority of you reading this have already endured the endless stories, pictures, videos that have documented my final days in Japan, so this may all be incredibly redundant. I apologize in advance.

I started this blog to not only keep friends and family back home up to date on my adventures abroad, but I also did this for me. Originally I tried finding a voice for the entire blog and maintaining it throughout (look at me getting all writer-y...yay for my USF education!), but I found that would have been far too disciplined for my liking and then it wouldn't have been fun anymore. Luckily none of my USF professors have read this, otherwise I'd be scorned from the English department for all eternity. For shame!

Honestly, it's taken far longer to wrap this blog up than it should have. I would try to spend some time coming up with some viable excuse, but the truth is, I just couldn't summon the inspiration. I wish I had done a better job of committing my last few weeks in Japan to paper..er, screen? Whatever. But now what I believe to be some of my life's fondest memories will be forever locked away in my mental faculties...well, aside from the plethora of photographs and video snippets. So in the interest of time, I'll throw up a few photos from my last days as Takko's CIR and add the link to the video I made for Julia and Nana's trip to Japan.

The beginning of many tears this evening

Everyone. (almost)

Cutie Daichi

Pretty standard gaijin shot.

Mah gurls!

Empty. Sad. Yakuba.

These two...

4th of July. Good friends.

Yes, indeed. See you!

To be honest, these pictures don't even begin to capture the essence of those last few days. But sometimes it's best to keep some memories within the confines of your mind. And there you have it! My last few weeks in Japan all wrapped up in a nice little bow.

The reason why it's taken me so long to update is because it was truly difficult to summon the words to accurately wrap up this experience...and it still is. Three months later, I regularly talk about Japan, Takko-Machi and all my wonderful friends who are still there. No joke, I think my new friends here are getting tired of me starting every other sentence with, "In Japan..." I know I have Patrick to console with in reliving the memories, but the other day he looked at me and said, "You really miss it, don't you?" Yes, I do. Very much.

So for my last post, I'd like to post my sayonara speech that I gave at my farewell party in Takko-Machi. Much like this post, it was very difficult to find the right words and I received help from a few special people. My gratitude goes out to them in helping me properly relay my feelings to the people of Takko. I've posted the speech in English, but I delivered the speech entirely in Japanese.

Mina sama oban desu.

I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It means so much to me to see so many dear friends come out and join in the celebration of my sayonara and Jeff’s welcome.

When I visited Takko-Machi almost two years ago as the Gilroy Garlic Queen, I immediately fell in love. So many of you made me feel right at home, even though we had just met.

I feel extremely blessed to have had this opportunity to be Takko-Machi’s CIR and I know that I will never have another job as wonderful and rewarding as this one has been.

I am grateful for the many friends I’ve made throughout my year here. You welcomed me into your homes and made me feel like family.  I will always consider you more than just a host family. Though we may look a little different; you are my mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. Please think of me as your family for I will always be there if you call on me.

Over the past year we have shared many memories, most in good times, but also in the difficult times. The earthquake and tsunami on March 11^th was a terrifying and devastating time for the people of Japan. But everyone here in Takko and across Japan came together and overcame. This amazing unity made me feel safe.

I, along with my entire family are grateful for everyone that went above and beyond in making me feel comfortable and safe during that scary time. Had I been anywhere else, I would have been on the next plane back to America. But because of you, I never felt that need.

The earthquake and tsunami was a tragedy that the Japanese people have bared with incredible perseverance. I admire you and find inspiration in you. As the world watched this country, taking note of the severity of the tragedies, I hope that they also took note and will remember the overwhelming sense of community and resilience that has revived the country more quickly than anyone could have expected.

Everyone back in America inquired relentlessly as to why I intended on staying in this country that seemed to be perpetually shaking, but it’s not an easy task to describe what it’s like to live here, to develop relationships with people here, to feel like this is your home. Living in another country is certainly a special experience, but living in Japan, living in Takko-Machi is something entirely different; its specialness goes above and beyond what can be described at best.

A year is not very long at all. In a year, I’ve met countless people, visited countless places, and have made countless memories, but it has not been enough time. Not even a year or two more would be enough.

So, just as I had promised myself almost two years ago after my initial trip to Japan, I will be back again. We will never say good-bye…only see you again.

Lastly, I'd like to thank all of you for reading. Though this blog is intended for my own personal records down the road, I probably wouldn't have put as much effort into it had it not been for you, and I most likely would have procrastinated a considerable amount had it not been for my mother always reminding me to update, update, update! Love you, Mom!

Thank you for joining me on this journey!

またあいましお日本！