Watashi wa Genki

私は元気

            I bought the inevitable plane ticket home just the other day, and ever since I’ve been nostalgic for things I’ve yet to experience, or am currently experiencing, or are right on the outer surface of my memory. Yes, already, and yes, too soon, and yes, not soon enough. This is not my last post, I’ve got several big events coming soon, but this is one of the ones winding down. And as much as it’s difficult to face an ending, I’m very proud to look back at all I’ve learned and experienced along the way.

            Still though, there’s nothing like home. I’m a month away from a plate of Mexican food (even Minnesotan Mexican food is better than no Mexican food), from a drink at the local bar—any of the several I miss right now, from cuddling with my cat and saying hello once again to the dog, oh and my parents of course, my sisters, my friends. I’ll be home soon enough, I’ll slide into a job somewhere close, and sit and wait for hopefully not that long for Yuusan to follow suit. And as that month draws nearer, as I start to almost salivate over the images, I’m reminded of what I have to now leave behind. It’s a case of wanting to go home but having to realize that that means leaving first.  

            Here in Japan I have Totoro around every single corner (I mean actually every shopping town has got a Ghibli store). I’m allowed to freak out over the cuteness of cats, even if it’s just a normal cat. People are friendly, perhaps because they want to practice their English but I’ll take it. And I can ride the train anywhere I want for maybe two dollars. In fact the Yen is weak so everything is cheaper than I think it is. In Japan there is katsudon, curry, omurice, curry, ramen, curry, Chinese Chinese food, and curry.  There is also curry (and naan, omfg). Here in Japan I have gained confidence and calmness. I have fallen in love with Tokyo.

            It is now possible that I can love both Tokyo and Freeborn. I am at home among the sky tall skyline, and longing for home where the stars do actually shine at night. The city is safe and beautiful, the country is safe and beautiful. The weather here is warm and mild, the weather back home is cold and brittle and fresh. I want to be here, I want to be there. And overall I’m a little emotional.

            I watched My Neighbor Totoro as a kid, loving it, never knowing I would be here some day, never expecting my life to turn out the way it did. And yet here I am, still loving it, and loving so much more. I’ll be back to you soon, Minnesota, but I have to stay this one month left. Coming up, the Ghibli Museum and a trip to Kyoto, cherry blossom season, and likely many many more rice bowls. And feelings. There’s always feelings.