Days 52 & 53

So I woke up this morning around 7:30, eager to get my things ready for the flight back to America. It turns out that we had continental breakfast this morning, up on the 54th floor. I headed up there and took a look at the skyline of Osaka City. It was an incredible sight! Even better, breakfast was fantastic! WE HAD CRUNCHY BACON FOR BREAKFAST!! Seriously, most bacon served here in Japan isn't served crunchy/crispy/what have you. It's always soft. I had that, along with some potatoes, scrambled eggs, a small bowl of cereal, some broccoli, and spaghetti. I know it sounds like a lot of food, but it was just in small portions.

We left the hotel around 10:00, on a shuttle bus to Kansai International Airport. The airport is actually on an island separated from the mainland, so there's this gigantic bridge you take to get there. When we got there, I had my luggage checked, and my luggage only weighed 46 pounds! WAHOO, NO LAME OVERWEIGHT BAG FEE FOR ME! EAT IT, AIRLINE INDUSTRY!

After that, Ami, Erik, Jeff, Phil, PK, Yusuke, Takashi, and myself waited for the rest of the group to arrive (I think they were late, though I'm not sure). We chilled for a little bit before Yusuke had to leave for his flight. After that, we all said our goodbyes.

I was really sad that I had to say goodbye to Sean. He's an amazing, awesome person and it's an effing shame that he lives in Washington instead of Wisconsin. His humor is very similar to mine, plus he's outgoing and always willing to talk about stuff. To me, he's a member of Stop That Nun, through and through. Thanks to him, I felt very comfortable about talking with others and sharing my sense of humor with everyone, along with himself. What else can I say? He's a Nun, and to me that's one hell of a fine compliment. He would fit right in with us.

After saying goodbye, I walked through the security checkpoint area, and realized that I forgot to say goodbye to Ashley! I had a phenomenal time working with her, she was my partner for a couple of camps and when we worked with campers, our work was solid, top-notch stuff. She's an amazing person and just like Sean, I wish she didn't live in Alaska.

And the same can be said for Lauren, who lives in San Francisco. The same can be said for Steph, who lives in New Jersey. The same can be said for Vy, who lives in Boston. I'm going to miss everyone on Team 4, but I'm especially going to sorely miss those of us that don't live in the Midwest. Hopefully, one day our paths will all cross again at some point.

As far as the rest of the team, those of us from the Midwest, I don't know how much I'll miss them. After all, at the most they're a 3 hour drive away from my house, so it's not so bad. Besides, I plan on heading to Milwaukee and Minneapolis in the near future, so for me, it's no worries. In fact, Phil and Takumi also go to UWSP, so I'll miss them for maybe a week at the most. Our time together has only just begun, in some respects.

Well, right now it's 3:56AM back in America, I made the time jump official and what not since I changed the clock on my computer back to Central Time. Sure, it's about 6PM in Osaka right now, but at the current moment it's way too freaking late for me to be awake. It's only a matter of hours now before I'm back home with everyone, less than 12 hours, in fact :)

After this entry, there will be no more updates to this blog, as it has successfully fulfilled its purpose.

Before I end this final entry, I'd like to say one last thing -- All my life, I've seen pictures and movies of foreign countries, of how other people live their lives. Trying to wrap my head around the lifestyles of other people around the world has been inconceivable. I have always wanted to travel to another part of the world, to see how other people live, how they communicate, how they eat and sleep and move about in their daily lives. I always wanted to see what constitutes as "the norm" for other people. And now, thanks to UWSP and Guy Healy Japan, I have finally lived that dream. This was a huge milestone in my life and I couldn't possibly be happier. Alongside of living that dream, I also met a group of amazing, stellar people who all rock at life, and changed the lives of hundreds of Japanese children. I feel that I am returning home older and wiser. For that, I cannot thank everyone enough for making this possible.

Thank you Dianne Smith, without your help I would have never found out about this program, without your letter I would have never made it into the program. I feel that I have grown immensely as a person thanks to this program.

Thank you Mary Shaw, with your patience and understanding, I was able to get the applications submitted with consideration for this experience.

Thank you Luke, Erik, Seth, Henry, Brett, Gibs, Katrina, and all the other Nuns, thank you for your support and your words of advice for my first time abroad.

Thank you to all the readers of my blog, I've enjoyed entertaining you all with my life experiences on the other side of the planet. I know that my host families are also reading my blog, so to Tamiko, Shinichi, Makio, and Miyuki, thank you for reading about my time here with you and of course, ARIGATO GOZAIMASHTA!!!!!

Thank you my love, Kaitlin Reim. Even though you knew I was going away for two months, you gave me a shot at love. And by God I've never had it this good with anyone in my life. Seeing you when I get back will be well worth the two months that I've been without you. I love you, my guarantee.

Thank you to my entire family. Grandma and Grandpa, for encouraging me to go to Japan even though Grandma would have preferred it if I stayed in America, heh. Marie, for being supportive even though the times we get to talk together are short.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for supporting me since Day 1 when I told you I wanted to go to Japan to teach English. You have been there for me the entire time, as you always have. You helped me get the right clothes for camp, you helped me find the right luggage and helped me get all the information I needed for my time here. And when I showed you my appreciation with your new computer, you returned the favor by e-mailing me every day! You two are my guides in life, everything I do is influenced by your wise words and incredible support. Same as me, Mom & Dad.

With that, I conclude a chapter, a turning point, a milestone in the amazing ride that has been my life.

Sayonara. See you, Space Cowboy.