The Day After Tomorrow

How would you react if you saw the following lead and accompanying picture?

Scientists warn California could be struck by winter ‘superstorm’

In a nutshell, because of global warming, scientists predict that California will have a 'superstorm' that will be worse than "The Big One" sometime in the mere future. I think it's time to leave.

A Sigh and a Hug... (Here We Go Again)

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos." --Charles M. Schulz

Life Is Like an Onion...

...You peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep.

I definitely feel what Carl Sandburg was feeling when he wrote those wise words. I spent most of the day moping around after saying goodbye yet again. The count is now up to 4 this year alone with more on the way. It's a vicious, vicious cycle I'm stuck in. Why can't teleporting machines really exist?!?!

(Farewell Mickey Mouse and Optimus Prime. It's been swell...)

Sayonaras

I hate saying goodbyes. It just sounds so permanent.

I had a joint sayonara party on Saturday with Thom, Jo, and Rob. I had an awesome time. Lots of friends, lots of food (which I managed not to eat), lots of beer and wine (which I drank a lot of), lots of out-of-tune singing, and lots of tired faces at the end of the night. The funny thing was that I didn't really say goodbye to anyone. It was more of a "see you later." In my head, I still don't feel like I'm leaving Japan for good. It's a little daunting to know that I might not see some of these people ever again. Why can't there be teleportation machines like in the movies? Then, I'll never have to say goodbye. I'll just blame it on laziness for not visiting.

The Best Sayonara Party... Ever!!!

Shedding a Little Tear

#608... My home away from home for the past 1.5 years. Japan has been a rollercoaster ride, but knowing I can always go back to my little safe haven afterwards was always a comforting thought. But, like everything else, good things must come to an end. However, I won't miss the bird poo. I will gladly leave that behind.

I Hate Goodbyes

Goodbye #1: Had to say goodbye to one of my favorite students, Naho. She's taking off to merry old England for 6 months to study art. I first met Naho (with her partner in crime, Sayaka) at my first day at Nishiharu. They asked me if I was from Thailand. Together, the knuckleheads tortured me relentlessly by somehow saying the following:
Naho: I'm stupid.
Sayaka: I'm stupid.
Naho+Sayaka: We are comedians.
That would go on for an entire lesson. I would be pounding my head on the table saying "What do I do?! What do I do?!" But I love them. (I taught them "sod off." They're going to try that on a Brit. hehe...)
Goodbye #2: Said goodbye to Rob who arrived in Japan the same time I did some 1.5 years ago. He helped make my life at Tajimi a little bit more tolerable.