What the body remembers....

It's been over a month since my last post. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. Actually, no, I haven't been that bad. I left Japan on July 29 and left behind a country that filled me with conflicting feelings, but I can look back and say that all of those feelings came from love.

I had a dream last night. It was the day before the end of the world and I was a Japan, alone. I was in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace (which was the last tourist attraction I went to before I left Japan and the pic at the beginning of this post). The palace was my elementary school and it housed all 77 of my students. I was trying to get a flight to get back home to Montreal but there was a lightning storm, making it impossible for planes to fly (there really was a small lightning storm last night). It looked like I wouldn't be able to see my family before the end of the world. So I went for a jog and I took in the cleanliness of the grounds, the rich blue of the ski, the lush green of the trees and the sweetness of the air. I looked at the faces of my students and I felt if I were to die tomorrow, then I'd be okay. I was happy, so very happy. And then I woke up.

So what does it mean? I've started to miss Japan a bit, and I look back on my days there with a mixture of awe, satisfaction and fondness for my home for the past two years. During the good bits, I could say that if I were to die in my sleep I'd be satisfied with my life.

So here I am, back in Montreal, in transition, feeling like a tourist in my hometown. It's a bit strange sometimes, especially when I'm dealing with people in the service industry and feel like knocking out their teeth because they're so damn rude. It's also really strange to be bombarded with sounds of the city, especially people screeching outside their windows in the morning. There is construction going on across the street so that's always pleasant. And I saw the stars for the first time in over a week, and that was only because I was in the South Shore. That's something major that I miss from Neo - the quiet. Living in the village has definitely changed my idea on where I want to live in the future. Not in a tiny village, but not in the city either. Somewhere with a lot of green space, away from traffic. But that's later. For now, I'm here, soaking up the great weather, seeing my fabulous friends, eating amazing food, being close to my family and shedding the skin of my old life, but keeping the memories and the lessons learned inside me.

I will be leaving again in four weeks, first to Scotland to meet Dave's family then to England to live. I got my working holiday visa without a problem (and so quickly too), so very soon, I will be living my dream of seeing Europe. A new journey for me. This is my life and I'm so happy.

I'm not sure if I will write too much about what's been happening in Montreal unless something really interesting happens or I feel the need to write about what I'm feeling. But I will definitely continue to remark on my observations when I move to the UK and travel throughout Europe. So watch this space! Oh yeah, thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with me over the last two years. I had no idea I had so many people reading this thing. Thanks for the support!