Countdown: 18 days - F

I just got back from Sapporo. I'ts 7:40 on Monday morning. Needless to say, I'm a little tired. Our train came back at 11:37 last night, and I crashed at the boys' place and got up at 5:30 to drive back for work. It was pitch black when I started driving, but since I'm driving east over a bridge over the ocean, I got to see my first sunrise on the ocean. I'm used to seeing sunsets over the ocean since I grew up on the west coast. But to see a sunrise over the ocean, and then over the lakes was quite the treat. Almost made driving back so early this morning worth it.

The JLPT wasn't as bad as I thought. Granted, my brain was kind of dead. I'm lucky it wasn't like the SATs ; this test started at 12:30. We had plenty of time Sunday morning, to hit up coffee shops and get some cramming in. While the trip was pretty brutal (just considering the travel time), it was a good trip. It was a nice hotel that was super cheap, fantastic Indian food, coffee shops, shopping, and my first cup of Starbucks since August. Couldn't help but get a Venti Gingerbread Soy Latte. I never would've got that in the States, but I figured I just exploded my brain on a 4 hour test, so I might as well splurge a little bit. It made me miss sitting at the Starbucks by campus hanging out with people, my friends, my family. But as I sat on the train for the next 4 hours, I realized it wouldn't be long before that would be a reality again.

I'm looking forward to FRIENDS, FAST FOOD, FUN, and FAMILY.

I'm thankful for FRIENDS, FAST FOOD, FUN, and FAMILY. What I have here is a little different than what I have back in the States, but I still have amazing friends who let me crash on their floors. I have Mos Burger and Mister Donuts. I have Joy Cafe, questionable beach bonfires, and adventures wandering around new cities. I have a church family here who might not always understand what I'm trying to say, but they're still down to pray and worship with me.