My 90 day progress report

I have been in Japan for 3 months, am about to be 32, and going home for a much needed visit. What are 32 things I have done and learned from Japan?

1. Lived on a naval base 2. Discovered my love for Chilis 3. Rode the bullet train 4. Saw shrines 5. Learned a little about the Buddhist and Shinto religion 6. Accepted I would never drive here 7. Became an expert on the Japanese train system. 8. Learned to communicate with my face and hands. 9. Discovered how fascinating a 7/11 could be 10. Became oddly comfortable with naked Japanese. 11. My addiction to the hot spa 12. Learned a little Japanese 13. Liked some parts of Tokyo 14. Being in love with Thailand especially Phuket 15. Realized you cannot force a friendship no matter what the circumstances and go with my instincts 16. Being friendly all the time was exhausting 17. Getting lost in Japan was scary 17. Walking up hills got easier over time 18. Appreciating my washer/dryer 19. I could survive with minimal furniture 20. Found my lunch buddy 21. Japanese Denny's was not good 22. Vending machine restaurant 22. Go if invited somewhere 23. Saying no if I did not want to go 24. Finding good in people that are different from me 25. Riding the bus to work made me late especially if I did not get up on time 26. Some days I cried because I wanted to go home 27. Sending packages and cards made me happy 28. Seeing North Korea 29. Accepted that sometimes I will be the third wheel 29. Internet TV 30. Importance of planning my weekends 31.My blog helped with homesickness 32. Loving Rosalind even more for supporting me through the past three months.

I am excited about going home. I cannot wait to see my monkies and magee. I leave in a couple of hours and will be in South Bend aroud 7 PM on Tuesday. Not sure, if I will be able to work on my blog if not I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.