Random but moving

Yesterday, my coworker and I were invited to a bbq party by one of our former students. This student is a really sweet lady who always gave me various gifts ranging from fresh basil from her garden to random magazine cutouts. I even have a drawer at work I nicknamed after her because of all the pointless stuff she would give me that I would then put in the drawer to be forgotten about for months. ANYWAY we went to her house and she had her daughter and some friends over. Nobody's English was too great, and she seemed to forget any of the English that I taught her haha, and my coworker speaks Japanese fluently, so at times I think my eyes might have glazed over a tad. =)

Anyway, long story short but I wound up having to spend the night at her house. At first I was really annoyed and almost angry that I was stranded there, just because I felt kind of uncomfortable imposing on someone I didn't know very well. But of course she was the hostess to end all hostessing and gave me an entire shopping bag full of random gifts (just like old times), which I probably will never keep or use, however I was a little excited she gave me a potted plant of mint. I have been wanting a plant for some reason. She made me breakfast (eggs and salad...don't ask sometimes Japanese breakfast's can be strange) as well as bout 4 different kinds of tea/coffee, found the one random old English movie she had saved on her DVR for me to watch, drove me back to the station and insisted on buying my ticket home. Very sweet woman.

However the whole point of my post was when I was about to leave her house and she was standing behind me. Like I said, her English isn't very good, so I was surprised when I heard her say, "I respect you." I turned around kind of surprised and confused by what she meant. Then she went on to say, "I respect you for coming to a foreign country and choosing to live here. I can travel but I could never do what you are doing. I could never build a life in a foreign country. It is too difficult. I really respect you." It was almost in perfect English, and to be honest, I was kind of lost for words on how to respond. For that, it was worth the inconvenience of being stranded at her house for the night.

I just found her statement so touching and it really hit home to me. Recently it has been feeling a bit difficult again to be over here. I think mainly because of the fact my "year" ended late April with me realizing I could have been home by now had I not extended. But even though I can't wait to go home, deep down in my heart I know extending for the extra 6 months was the right thing to do. The reason for that is still unknown to me, but it just feels right. But to be told that I am respected for choosing to live here and deal with the difficulties it brings was just what I needed to feel like this is the right thing for sure. I assume living anywhere but "home" is difficult, but to do it in an opposite country is beyond difficult. But, I think going through this is making me the person I want to be. I have already learned so much about myself and what I want and who I want to be this year. I know I am going to carry this experience I made for myself with me for the rest of my life.

OK, perhaps that was a little sappy, but hey it's been a while =)

Oh and in case you're wondering I only have 5 and a half months left in this mysterious, beautiful, confusing, frustrating country =) Something tells me the time is going to continue to fly...