 |
| We are Frisbears! |
I’m not big on goodbyes. In my experience, they’re
melodramatic, messy, and emotionally exhausting. As a result, I prefer “take
care”, or “see you later”, or, as one (privately-tutored) elementary school student
is fond of stating, in a slightly robotic, no nonsense international-businesswoman-to-be
drone, “see you again.”
That said, over the next few weeks, I will be giving heartfelt
hugs and handshakes to a number of people moving on to new and exciting
challenges as they return to respective homes worldwide. These individuals,
along with others who are (thankfully) sticking around, have been essential not
only in my adjustment to life in Japan, but also in my decision to re-contract
for another year. Individually and collectively, they have helped me more over
the past eleven months than I can ever hope to pay forward. So, instead, I’ll
say “thank you.”
To angels who order at restaurants, sort out Softbank cell phone plans, and provide all sorts of translation and counseling services with a smile and a generosity that boggles the mind.
To mommies who unclog drains, offer unsolicited advice, and try to fatten me up with continual gifts of food and dinner
invitations. (And who may or may not have twisted my rubber arm into breaking Lent in Osaka.)
 |
| The trip was in March, but I can still taste these treats. (Clockwise from top left: an apple bread baked in crunchy bitter caramel, a white chocolate and cream-filled roll, a dark chocolate and walnut bun, and an egg tart.) |
To long-time enthusiasts and recent converts to
the awe (both “some” and “ful”) that is karaoke.
And for not groaning when I choose Adele’s “Someone like You” or Leonard
Cohen’s “Hallelujah” for the umpteenth time.
To brave gaijin
(foreigner) drivers who aren’t chicken like me. (Although, with the
near-illiteracy, inherent lack of direction, and the driving on the opposite
side of the road, my not being behind the wheel is for the best.)
To the big brother and sister living upstairs
who not only put up with my periodic screechy-cat violin (the result of a few
fast and furious practices before another “concert” at a school or community
gathering after weeks of not touching the thing), but who are gracious enough to
offer compliments when next our busy paths cross.
To anyone who’s left some little surprise (a
sweet treat, a promised book, a sheet of stickers) hanging on my apartment’s
doorknob or in my mailbox. Little gestures go a long way.
 |
| Choco-pan (a sweet bread filled with chocolate pudding) |
 |
| and thoughtfulness never fail to make my day! |
To the faithful FaceBookers whose detailed posts
about daily life never fail to amuse, to enlighten, or to brighten my day!
 |
| This wordsmith has a gift for twisting sunshine into even the most tiresome events of everyday life. |
To writers around the world who’ve kept in touch
through snail mail and electronic means. Your words of encouragement and
curiosity over that long, dreary winter kept me warm when I couldn’t feel my
fingers.
 |
| These are coming home with me this summer, so please, send more! |
To my hometown (home continent – same thing!)
crowd here in Japan for understanding my point of view when no one else is able
or willing. And for feeding me comfort food
 |
| like mac and cheese |
 |
| and homeade apple pie! |
To all of the lovely Japanese co-workers who do
their best to communicate with the slightly odd foreigner girl who shows up
every week with a freshly sunburnt nose, increasingly Einstein hair, and who
can still only follow the most basic of conversation.
To my international Japanese friends (i.e. those
who’ve spent time working or studying overseas, thus having acquired a much
broader view of the world than the average rural Japanese person) for your
patience ears, your careful consideration, and your thoughtful explanations.
Your insights into this weird and wonderful world I’ve been calling home for
the past year have been indispensable!
To those special few who possess the ability to
see things from a different perspective and who take time to hear out my
frustration and confusion before offering some small nugget of wisdom to consider.
To anyone who makes me laugh until
I cry.
THANK YOU!
I
am so grateful to have met you all. I wouldn’t have made it this far without
you. Take care, and see you again, okay?
