Refreshed
Never ever doubt the amount of good a few close friends can do for you. I've never really had to put too much thought into it, but no matter what kind of hardship you're facing or how bleak the future looks, sticking it out on your own is a bad idea. I don't want to sound over-dramatic, but if you have someone to reach out to, show no hesitation, because that's totally what they are there for. =)

So I leave for Japan tomorrow morning. The state I am in is nowhere near what a person of reasonable character and sanity would call "prepared". I have not packed, I'm feeling that weird homesick-lonely-nervousness, and haven't really focused on the idea that I'm going to be gone for a while and separated from what I'm used to. I know that sounds like an exaggeration since I've spent so much time in Japan before, and after a couple days I'll never want to return, but it's just a natural bump in the rode I always feel right before I leave. I'm excited to develop my ability in the language, to understand the culture better, and to live life with a sense of adventure and all that junk.

The first thing I'll do after I brave Immigration, money exchange, and meet my incompetent supervisor--VENDING MACHINE TIME BABY! You have no fucking idea how strangely excited I am to attack those things again. All the crazy nostalgic sights and sounds that I think about every once in a while, just by remembering that those are within reach makes me feel energized. For the time being, I'm a bit of an emotional jigsaw right now. So I appreciate any contact kept with me while living out my alcohol and onsen dominated life in Japan. Otherwise, toodles, and try not to die while I'm gone. I'll keep you posted.