Last Days in Nara

Looking back

I have been busy and not at the same time. The last week was a lot of fun since I got a new friend. I didn't realize I was so lonely! A girl from Missouri came named Emily, and I we clicked really well. Her Japanese is very good but I try to take advantage of it, so if I don't understand I ask for a better translation. We did a lot of adventures every day. For instance, I had to see the new Harry Potter so I bought my ticket online. Luckily it was on a Wednesday so that meant... Ladies' Day! Only $10! We snuck in ice cream and snacks, and watched the English version. We also took daily trips to the local bakery for a new little treat almost everyday. That was fun too :) 

During my last night, we had a big dinner of Sukiyaki, however, I didn't do all of it. You crack an egg into a bowl and then dip all the food into it, like beef, mushrooms, and other vegetables and tofu. Me and Emily both passed on that... Then afterwards everyone piled into the car to go to the mall for ice cream. This was actually just a sneaky tactic to develop photos and buy me a going away present, but I didn't know it at the time. I got expensive ice cream at a Japanese Coldstone basically, because I was dying for strawberry cheesecake--the bakery didn't have it! Everyone else just bought some at Jusco, the grocery. While we were eating on some couch seats in the mall, I peaked over and saw Tak-chan putting photos in a pink and brown album, so I spoiled it and turned away. When he finished, I turned around and he gave me the album with the photos from the Kyoto trips! I love it! It's super cute : ) And a really nice thought. I didn't discover it until later but the last photo hiding in the back was from the dinner we had just eaten so that just added to it. 

Sunday I had my stuff all packed and I felt ready to move on. Except it really hit me that I'm going to a new place, that means I will be home in two weeks almost! It was crazy getting all my things into my suitcase again and I wish I would have brought less but I didn't know what I would need so I guess that's alright. It got bigger with all the things I have boughten. Surprisingly, I made it on the trains without any problems and said goodbye to Ogawa and Hiroko. They gave me a nice pair of chopsticks that are really beautiful, so I put two and two together from the mall, Hiroko was leaving a store and I was wondering what she bought... It was a nice gesture and I'll for sure use them, however I don't know how often at school. I can't really cook in my room...

And actually, it was sometimes really difficult to stay at my first host, even though they are exceptionally kind people. I was very humbled in the process, so I find that to be the reason why I was there so long. They were far from the cleanest people I've met, and so it was a big wake up call. I think I could be happy living almost anyway after my Nara experience, but that's a lesson that not everyone can learn. Plus, looking with the perspective of my faith, I should be accepting of everyone, even if it is difficult. It was good practice and I'm sure I'll only remember the good days. I learned more about my own culture by living someone else's and I do not regret that at all. : )