Friday, May 22, 2009

Sayonara Parties

As we near the end of our first year - well school year - here in Japan, we prepare to say good-bye to some new friends and our kids will do the same to some of their new friends. Traditionally one holds a sayonara party, and unfortunately due to economic times there are a lot of sayonara parties over the next few weeks. It's quite an emotional time for those leaving. For some, they knew their time was up, for others it was unexpected. Now the question is not, 'How long have your been here?' but 'When is your leaving date?' No one ever wants to leave the expat life here in Tokyo. I was talking to a woman yesterday and saying how much we've liked it so far and her response was, 'Yeah, what's not to like?' (except for the butter that still costs 14 dollars a pound, no I can't let that one go) So we look forward to celebrating the last hurrah with our new friends, but are sad to see them leave, yet are grateful we are able to stay. No one really ever knows how long they have here anymore, things change so quickly. So we try to make the most of it while we can. We are fortunate no matter what comes our way.

1 comment:

JUDY WENDT said...

well put, Brigitte.