Dear Shibecha

Dear Shibecha,

Two years ago today I showed up on a train in this tiny village in the middle of nowhere.  I didn't even know how to drive my car...or know what time work started.  I didn't have any friends and I could hardly communicate with anyone.

And today, I finished my time in Shibecha.  I played softball with the amazing teaching staff of this village.  We traveled and ate and played and laughed together.  While it would've been amazing if we won the All-Hokkaido tournament, I wouldn't have wanted to end my time here any other way.

I came home exhausted, but I needed to walk.  It's one of the last times I'll be able to take a late night walk down to the river.  I sat there with the river in front of me and the stars above me...and I cried.  A lot.  This has become my home.  And I don't want to leave.  I made a life here.  I have friendships that are deep despite the language barrier.  And I'm thankful that I do.  I'm thankful that I am so torn about going back to LA.  I am thankful for friends I don't want to leave.

Thursday night at a going-away party, my friends went around thanking me for teaching them English. I glanced across the table and saw my best friend crying.  I told her she couldn't cry, that I was spending the whole weekend with her.  But after that, I had a hard time holding back tears thanking them for so many wonderful memories over the past 2 years.  Though I did spend yesterday and today with my best friend, there were many moments of silence, neither of us knowing what to say, not wanting time to keep moving.  While she drove, I heard her keep saying, "Six days..." And it's only six days we have left together.

Thank you, tiny village, for changing seasons, for letting me experience my first snowfall.  Thank you for silly winter sports like nagabutsu aisu hokei and speed skating and snow rugby.  Thank you for showing me how shoveling snow is excellent exercise in cold weather.  Thank you for being green, greener than any place I've ever seen.  Thank you for your tall trees that sound like the ocean when a strong wind blows through.  Thank you for your rivers and streams and many lakes.  Thank you for your winding roads through farms and mountains.  Thank you for your clear nights when all the stars in the universe can be seen from my front door.  Thank you for your sunsets that are unlike anything I've ever seen.  Thank you for your tiny schools and extremely flexible teachers.  Thank you for your never-ending schedule of events to attend--from listening to the Sapporo orchestra to running a long-distance relay to watching a school play.  Thank you for these past 2 years of valuable experiences and unforgettable memories.

While I know I have to leave in six days, I know this isn't goodbye--just see you later.

Much love,
Me