2008 is almost over..

We only have 10 and half hours left!! 2008 was a both fun and rough year for me. How was yours?

Well, I know it's kinda early, but.. Happy New Year!
(not for people in Japan, I guess ;p)

I hope I can post more often next year. Yes, this is my new year resolution for 2009!

Happy Holidays / Merry Christmas!

↑This is the Christmas tree at my boyfriend's parents' house.

Because of this crazy weather, it's a white Christmas in Seattle area this year!
I hope all of you are spending time with someone(s) special :)

Snow, Snow, SNOW!

OH MY GOD, it's been super cold lately! We had some snow last Saturday, but it didn't stick much. When I woke up today, it was, and still is, all white outside! I heard the highest temperature on Friday would be -5℃. Negative five! Can you believe it?! I'm not sure if I'm still in Seattle anymore.. hehe ;p But I also heard that we're having a cold wave (寒波) this year (last time it happened was over 10 years ago!), so that makes sense.

Personally, I don't like cold weather. I get cold really easily, and I just hate being cold. Maybe it has something to do with the fact I was born in summer.. I like snow, though. I know it's kinda contradicted, but it's true. Snow makes me excited! Like it does dogs.. ;p I like playing in snow, just can't stay out for too long even with layers and layers of clothes! I still get to have a lot of fun, tho.

Anyway, I hope all of you stay warm and don't get sick! Oh, and Christmas is just around the corner!! I need to finish my Christmas shopping before it becomes impossible to go out.. Are you guys ready for it??

Current Situation

Right now, I'm doing something called OPT, Optional Practical Training. OPT is granted to international students who have graduated from 4-year university. During this OPT period, newly grads are allowed to get a job in the States (For those who are not familiar with visas: It's illegal for international students to get a job outside of the campus).

I graduated from a university a year ago, which means my OPT is almost over. Since I couldn't find a company with visa sponsorship, I have to go back to Japan in a couple months. Technically, I could just get married now and stay in the States. But I won't.. The main reason is my family back in Japan. Last 5 years, I've been in the States, away from my family. I love my family and miss them so much, so I really want to spend time with them before getting married (=living in the States permanently). Also, because my family just met my boyfriend and his family in September (Oh, I should write about that too!), I want to give them some time to be ready for our marriage. I mean, I don't want them to be upset, mad, or sad. I want them to be happy for us as well, you know.

There's some other stuff that has made me come to this conclusion, but this is pretty much why I'm going back to Japan. Not for too long, though. I will come back in one year; that's our plan for now.

Am I being selfish? Maybe I am.. But family is really important to me, and my boyfriend respects that (And I know I should be grateful for having such an understanding boyfriend).

We just have to stay strong and make it through! I know we can do this, babe!!

Nowhere to Go

かつて友達だった子がいる
色々あって絶交って形になっちゃった子

いつも4人で遊んでたのに。
どうしてこうなっちゃったんだろね？

彼女が癌だって初めて分かったとき
みんなで必死に千羽鶴折ったよね

それなのに彼女がもう大丈夫って聞いてからすぐに
うちら4人の関係が悪化しちゃって
気づいたら連絡も全く取らなくなった

それから1年後、彼女が亡くなったって聞いた

どう感じれば、どう受け止めたらいいか
正直分かんなかった
けど涙はとめどなく溢れてきた

今でも時折自然と流れる涙と
行き場のない想い

どうすればいいのかも分からず
一人静かに彼女を想い泣くことしか
私にはできない