This is probably my last post about Japan. My job ends on July 27th since I’m taking PTO for the last few days. My sister, Sophia, is coming then to travel with me for four weeks before we return to the US. I won’t have my laptop then, so no blog posts - plus with that much travel, I don’t think I’d have the time to type it up! It’s an end to an era. I’ve been invited back by so many people. I will definitely return! Japan has carved out another horcrux from my soul.

At lunchtime on Saturday, I had plans to hang out with Y, one of her friends, and K. We met at Yaoko supermarket and bought the ingredients to make takoyaki! It turned out very delicious. Her area was hopping with Pokemon too, so when we left, K and I, went up to Nukisaki shrine, before heading home. In the evening, I had P and S’s farewell party at Raku Raku in Takasaki. We had a whole room to ourselves to be rambunctious in. Ate a ton more delicious food. Such a social day for me, haha.

Then Sunday, today, I had my own farewell/birthday party. It was potluck style. After cleaning up the apartment and a pokemon walk, my first guests arrived 10 minutes early. Nothing like reminding you you're in Japan hah. No standard thirty minutes lateness. Everyone brought delicious food with and it was really fun! A mix of teachers, ALTs, and Japanese friends from GIC and my Japanese class. I have many leftover snacks now though! People even surprised me with presents! I’m so lucky to have met such great people here.