The Weekend Review - The Wind-down Unravels...

Time is flying and it's hard to believe that there is some major transition coming up just around the corner.

While Jess was here, we had a big talk about change and transitions. She's someone who I can relate a lot to; we come from the same base, but we've both moved "lives" a few times. And while it's fun exploring and experiencing new places, it's not easy saying goodbye to people you care about, being away from those you love, or moving to a new place and starting completetly from scratch. College is a natural time for this transition, but we've both done it a few more times. For me, the start is the hardest part. For Jess, it's the opposite; she has a hard time with goodbyes and is grief-stricken for days before leaving.
I'm good at keeping busy, tying up loose ends, and putting on a strong face when it's time to go. I can go easily, but then the weight of change always hits me when I first arrive, and while I have always adapted well after a short period of time, I always flounder a bit in the beginning. When I was 18 and moving away from home for the first time, I thought I was fine moving across the world alone; I had traveled and already been to university, right? I remember saying goodbye to my family at the airport and then just settling into my seat on the plane with the tears just rolling down my face, as I sat quietly sobbing. The woman next to me handed me a tissue and asked me why I had waited to get on the plane until being sad. "You should show them how you feel! Not wait!" she told me (she had obviously seen me bidding my final farewells, back when your guests were allowed to escort you to the departure gate). I just told her I couldn't help it; it always hit me late. At least now I'm more aware of this trend and can prepare or react to it.

So while I am not leaving Japan anytime soon (except for a short visit home), we are on the cusp of some big changes in our little lives here in Hyogo. I know it could be a good thing, and I am excited, but it's strange to think that things are not going to be the same as I have becomed accustomed to. Jane, who has been my neighbor and "senpai" (like a mentor) in many ways as I first adjusted to life in Asia and struggled through my first real break-up is going back to England; some of the first girlfriends I made here (Adrienne and Liz) are leaving the area, if not Japan, while a good friend (also from the midwest) who I have become closer to at the end of the year is heading back to the states in a matter of weeks.

And as the departure dates creep up, the farewell events are stacking-up and filling the calendar... Saturday was one of those days.

IFA Farewell Party
I spent Friday night in, trying to get healthy and just relax. Kelly stopped by for a little while to hang out and check on me, but otherwise, I didn't do much. I was originally supposed to meet three girls from Minnesota and go to the beer garden in Kobe, but one of my friends (Em Hofer from Olaf, actually) picked up Dengue Fever in Cambodia two weeks ago and is stuck in bed. Pretty scary, but she's going to be ok. We re-scheduled for two weeks from now.
On Saturday morning, I made my way over to Harimacho to borrow Tam's bike (temporarily lost the key to mine so I'm without wheels) and we went to the Nambu Community Center for the IFA Children's event and Farewell party. The children's event went a lot like how they have gone in the past (reminds me a lot of Sons of Norway kids events, actually). There were about 40 adorable kids under 10. We taught greetings, numbers and played some games in English for an hour. Then we cleared out the large hall, placed chairs in a large circle around the walls (maybe a 100 in all) and the IFA ladies set-up a brunch display on tables in the middle. I am pretty sure the kids event was held because it was a good excuse to do something fun while they had so many of the native English-speakers in one place, because the real reason behind the gathering was to honor two members of our community (and to bid them farewell) as they enter their last few weeks living in Japan. The guests of honor were Ben and Sean, both of whom live in Harimacho. We had a lot of conflict amongst the foreigners when I first arrived, so I never really got to know Sean, but he's been here 3 years and is going to grad school to do a second masters and PhD. Ben, on the other hand, is a good friend of mine. He is from Chicago, so I feel like we have a lot of shared cultural traits. He's also a really nice guy, and after living here for 2 years (and studying Japanese beforehand), he's really been there for me and shown me the ropes on several occassions (like when I went to the doc last week).
We had all been asked to prepare a short speech for Ben and Sean. I originally planned to write two separate speeches (hence the research on Frank Lloyd Wright), but realized that there wasn't really time for two, so I am saving Ben's for when he really leaves and ended up reading excerpts from an Irish Blessing I really love (that Kristin gave to me the first time I left home). I was the first to go, and was strong when I started off with the microphone, but it was increasingly difficult to read. I'm usually not nervous in front of crowds, especially in professional situations or in front of people I don't know (speaking in front of over 800 kids and my faculty is OK, for example), but I find I have more trouble speaking to people I know well. I got just got pretty emotional. All of the speeches were actually really moving (I cried, especially when Craig broke down in a heartfelt speech to Sean). If you are interesting in seeing what I read, the beginning of the Blessing is at the bottom of this post. You might recognize it.
Barbeques, Birthdays & Beaches
After the event, Kelly and I were supposed to have a working lunch to discuss the Charity fundraisers we will be hosting over the next year, but I wasn't feeling well, so I slept for most of the afternoon at Kelly's house. In the evening, we went to a BBQ and concert at a friend's place in Akashi. I think it was the first real house party I've been to since I arrived, since they are less common in Japan (due to the size of living spaces, I suppose), but it was exactly what I needed. While we were there, I met a Japanese girl who went to folkehogskole in Denmark the same year I was at folkehogskole in Norway. I had asked about her Viking Ship necklace, she iniated the conversation about living in scandinavia, and we soon realized she spoke Danish and I Norwegian. It was a random, but it's a small world. Anyways, we had to leave thw BBQ early to get to a birthday party in Sannomiya (central Kobe), but by the time we left, we were all huddled on various couches, chairs and blow-up furniture in the small, dark living room of the house, listening to a friend's band play. It was soothing for my soul, at least.
After a short stroll and train ride, Kelly and I met our group in Sannomiya and proceeded to celebrate Lena's birthday with dinner at a really charming Spanish restaraunt in Kobe and drinks at a local bar afterwards. Most people stayed out later (and ended up all crashing at a friend's apartment), but I took the last train home, falling into my welcoming bed moments after stumbling in the door.
On Sunday, I rested for most of the morning. I decided I was feeling well enough to run again, so I took a trip down the Kisegawa River in Harimacho. The river is filled with reeds and alternating stone and gravel paths through it's shallow banks, with lit-walking paths on either side. It's lucious, green, and a popular spot for families and dog-walkers. It was nice to get out, but the humidity hit me hard - I was so wet with sweat by the end of this not-so-long run that my tank top was completely see-through when I got home. Oops, lucky I didn't see anyone I know, but I'll have to watch out for that...
In the evening, Kelly, Lena, Miwa and I packed up a picnic and went to the local beach. It's close to my house, the water is clear and the beach is clean and sandy. I actually left school early on Thursday and spent a few hours getting some sun and reading at the same place. I plan to do that (and picnic) more this summer! The evening picnic, though, was really great! The weather was perfect, with a slight breeze coming off the sea. We brought some hanabi (fireworks) with us, which we lit-off near the water, and then watched other families light their own as little children and a big group of high school students played with sparklers after the sun had set. I had to correct some tests before heading to bed (finals week!) that night, but it was a nice end to the weekend.

Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.