Sayonara Japan

At the time of this posting, we're on a plane en route to America.  We've said all of our "see you later"s and checked everything off our Japan to do list.  All that's left to do is cherish the memories we made and embrace the adventure ahead of us.  We had a great last few days in Japan, just enjoying time with friend and visiting some of our favorite restaurants/bars one last time.

I have fallen in love with the sushi here and I know I'm going to miss it.  Some of it I can make at home myself but it just won't be the same, I'm certain.

We were exhausted from cleaning for 3 days straight but happy to be eating sushi!

 I received an award from Jason's battalion commander for my dedication to the unit.  It was the first time I've received an award like this so I was very appreciative.

We ate/drank at our favorite bar one last time.

When we told the owner (I never did learn his name) that we were leaving Japan in a couple days he ran off and came back with this bottle of sake for us.  I'm so badly going to miss that place!

We spent our last full day at the pool on post.  We've done everything we could possibly want to do here (and more) so we just wanted to relax and spend time with our friends.

For our last "non airport food meal", Jason chose ramen.  I was totally OK with that, although, it's so much better on cold winter days than it is on blazing hot summer days.

Jason is obsessed with their chahan (fried rice) and I must admit, it's pretty darn good.

They veggie gyoza and they're some of the best I've ever had!

I had to add another shirt because I cannot eat ramen without making a huge mess!

We are going to miss Japan more than I can express in words.  The past 3 years have been some of the best of my life.  I'm so happy Jason convinced me to accept this assignment.  The people I have met and the things I have experienced have made me a better person and will stay with me forever.

Just like I say with friends, it's not goodbye but see you later.  Japan, I will return.  One day, I will be back!

It's So Hard....

...To Say Goodbye. Any Boys II Men fans? I've noticed I do this a lot with my posts, use song lyrics as titles...if you've ever met my husband, you'll understand where it comes from. If he hears anything that is some part of a song or similar to a song lyric he knows, he's going to sing it.  Doesn't matter the setting, he's singing.  Sometimes it's cute and other times it annoys the crap out of me, either way it's rubbed off on me!  I digress.

I've said a lot of goodbyes over the past few weeks.

Kumiko, my friend and student.

 Kyoko, my volunteer buddy.

Marissa, my favorite spin instructor.

Preston, my great friend and physics lab partner from college.

Our great friends, "the Robs" (Rob & Robert).

Misae, one of my lovely students.

Today was by far the hardest though.  Our best friends left the island today, 9 days before us.  I'm so grateful we are leaving soon because looking out our back window and seeing their empty house makes me incredibly sad.  One of our neighbors planned a surprise going away BBQ for them earlier this week and it was the perfect night.  Our closest friends all made it our for one last night together.

The guys.

The ladies + adorable baby Sawyer!

These children all adore my husband (the feeling is mutual) and we've had a great time getting to know them and watch them grow over the past few years.  (Only 2 of them belong to our friends who left today)

Kristin has been my rock, my confidant, my therapist, my role model and my best friend for the past 3 years.  I thank God everyday that he placed our families together here at the same time, in houses just across the lawn.  I know that we'll be life long friends.  Both of our families (and our husband's) are from the same general area so I know we'll see each other again over the years when we're in town visiting our families and I'm certain we'll plan trips to visit them at their new home and vice versa.

Kristin, I know you'll read this so I just want to say thank you for being my best friend.  I'll miss you every day until I see you (and your boys) again!

PS.  "Oh boy!"