A Week of Lasts...

I'd really like to say thank you to my friends who showed up for my good-bye dinner. You all made me feel very well loved. I thank God that I was able to meet and know all of you and I'll miss you greatly while I am gone.

This is truly a week of lasts--last day of teaching sunday school, last day of working, last time to eat lunch in the union, last time to hang out with friends, last dinner out, last time to eat mom's wonderful cooking, and soon to be last time I'll be in Fayetteville, last time I'll be in the states, last time I'll see my family, and last time I'll have a Dr. Pepper....

For at least three months.

I've made it through the week so far without crying, though there's been several times I've been close. I'll probably cry before this is all over. I just hope I don't cry on the plane--I'll already be frazzled enough as it is (this being my first time on an airplane) and red eyes and nose and tears streaking down probably won't help my situation.

But at the same time, I'm leaving for Japan. I mean, I'll be in freaking Japan in two days. Hello, life-time dream coming true (study abroad in a country way different from my own; and Japan has always been a special interest). It's the experience of a life-time and I'd be foolish not to take it. There aren't enough words in the English language to describe my excitement about this opportunity. After all, I'll be living in Japan!!!

But the fact remains, I miss everyone already. Please don't forget about me! I want to hear from everyone while I'm away. Okay? Good.