I know I haven’t delievered on my promise to update more frequently, but it’s mainly because I’m sorting though a few things in my life right now that I’d rather work through in private before making them known publicly.

The inport period has gone by extremely quick, and now I find myself getting ready for another, albeit quick, deployment.  The upside is that it’s my last ride and about a quarter the duration of the summer cruise.  I’m hoping that I can grow closer to God and learn His plan for my upcoming transtion to civlian life.  I’m learning every day, especially lately, that He makes the seemingly impossible possible.  How awesome.   

Still, I’m a little anxious about all the exact details of my upcoming transition, so if you could pray for me, it’d be much appreciated.  Although I’m grateful for the freedoms I’m about enjoy as a civlian, I’m a little anxious to leave the comfort the Navy affords.  I’m not looking forward to thinking about insurance, healthcare, job security, GPA’s and part-time jobs. 

With the end of my time here right around the corner, I’m trying to work as many activities into my few remaining moments in Japan as possible.  This weekend I went to “Nokogiri”, aka “Sawtooth mountains” for the shape the coastline takes on, and took a ton of pictures.  109 to be exact.  Check them out by clicking the link on the side or here.

Tomorrow I’m going to the “Fancy Starbucks” in Kamakura (apparently it has a Japanese style garden) and Chigasaki (oceanside surf city) so expect more pictures.  Although I’ve known it for awhile, it finally hit me that money and possessions aren’t what matters - it’s experiences and relationships that we should value.  I have friends, and awesome environment and a camera, so I think I really have everything I need.

I got a call from my ichiban tomodachi Ken last night, from England no less!  I haven’t heard from him in quite awhile, so it was good to catch up.  I’m really afraid of losing track of the amazing people I’ve met here in Japan, so it’s great to get that surprise phone call.  It’s amazing how much can change in two short years!  Anyway, I know Ken and I will hang out sometime in the future.

I went to the church service on base tonight for the first time in a long time.  It’s not exactly my cup of tea, but the Chaplain gave a good message, and I got to see a lot of my friends.  That’s all the matters, right?  God’s been so good to me lately.  This could’ve been a really dark time in my life, but he’s put supportive friends around me to make things easier.

Lately I’m listening to a lot of Donavan Frankenreiter.  The laid-back surf style of his songs has helped increase my mellow attitude exponentially.  If you’re in need of some relaxation, take a listen to his self-titled album.

After 2 1/2 years, Sara and I are calling it quits.  We’re both victims of our own ambition:  I want to go back to the states to pursue my degree (and at 1/6th the price of school in Japan) and she wants to spend at least 3 more years at the company she recently started working at.  What are you going to do?  Neither of us was ready to sacrifice our goals and dreams for the other right now, so we decided it’d be better if will parted ways.

It’s really hard to put all the feelings someone’s given you over 2 1/2 years into words.  We’ve had the most amazing adventures, filled with good friends from all over the world, and I’ve been extremely blessed to have her in my life.  That being said, one of the benefits of a mutual breakup on good terms is that we’re still going to remain in close contact.  Just because she doesn’t have the “my girlfriend” title anymore doesn’t mean she isn’t still one of the coolest people I’ve met.

How do I feel after all of this?  Strangely ok.   Not like this has been easy (not in the slightest) but  we both came to this decision as adults with the other person’s happiness and best interests in mind.  There’s really no better way to go about it.

To Sara-chan:  Thanks for the best 2 1/2 years of my life.  You’ve taught me more than I even knew could be known, and I’m certain you’ll continue to be a big part of my life, for the rest of my life.  I love you.  Aishiteru.