From America With Love

I got presents!! My daddy sent me a 20 lb box filled with protein (Slim Jims, beef jerky, tuna fish, ham-in-a-can, and beef stew), chocolate (M&Ms and Snickers), and Arab-ness (bulgur wheat and bullion cubes)! There was even a note addressed to Miki to thank her for being so kind to me. When she had gotten a care package from her mother a few weeks ago, I received a personalize note, some towels, and hot chocolate mix. I found out later that Miki had told her mother, "Zaiton has very few things here. It must be very difficult for her." So, taking pity on the poor foreign girl, Miki's mother sent me some items to make my life easier.

I was so happy when it came. I had been checking my mailbox everyday, and the gate keeper would laugh at me when I came back saddened and empty-handed. But one day, I saw a big, red magnet on the outside of my box, which meant that a package had come! I rushed in and gave the magnet to Kagi-san (the gate watcher) and he gave me a very omoi (heavy) box. Apparently, at the post office, my dad had been adding and removing items to get the weight to 20 lbs perfectly. Later, I gave Kagi-san and his wife some Slim Jims, for which Mrs. Kagi was very grateful. In Japanese she told me thank you, and that she hadn't eaten jerky like that in a long time (I suspect since she was last in America).

What else came from America? A festive Halloween lantern, coloring book, and crayons from Grandpa Tom and Grandma Alice!! A week ago, I was in a bit of a panic about my crayon supply, but I think that I'm set for a while, now.

Besides these gifts, my Uncle Paul sent me a housewarming card when I first arrived, so I should probably start sending presents back home to balance out the karma, right?

Final Photos and Goodbyes

Leaving for ICU has me feeling like a college freshman all over again: I don't know much about the campus, teachers, classes, or student life save for what I've heard and found on the internet. But I figure that since I'm back to square one, I might as well act like it!

Before Witt, I made sure to see all of my friends, family, and dojo members so that I'd have some recent memories of them all to take with me to school. Sure, I'd be coming home for Christmas, but when you find an excuse to be with the people you love, you grab it, right? Being back at home has let me relax and talk with my family, Fanam, and friends from high school. I am spending a few days with my grandparents right now, and most of the family came out for the cousins' yearly picture session. It is so odd to think that we could stand in the same house that we played in as kids! I took a whole bunch of photos of my grandparents' home and garden to help cheer me up in Japan.

Yeah, that's right! I have a camera now!! It still blows my mind that camera's don't need film anymore (well, alright, some still do, but that is on purpose).

After the family photo shoot, a bunch of us went out for Starbucks. My aunt gave me a fantastic pep-talk (she studied abroad for 3 months in Brazil) and it was heartening to hear the language adventure stories from a member of the family. It is one thing when people my own age come back and say, "That was a blast! You're going to love it! I wish I could go back!" and to hear her talk about what an impact it still has on her life.

I know that few of us want to grow up. There is always a bitter-sweet feeling at graduations, good-bye parties, and before a trip. I know that this is going to change me in more ways than I can see right now, and I wanted to see the people I've grown up with to almost reassure myself that I've changed before and they still like me.

Sorry, to get so mushy, everyone. I'll promise to pep up!

一生懸命頑張ります！