Jet Lag.
It’s a crazy wild thing.
I left Tokyo on Monday, the 10th of December, at 1:30 PM, and arrived in Austin on Monday, the 10th of December at 11:40 AM. Yes, despite an 11 hour flight, I arrived two hours earlier than I left. I travelled back in time.
Huh.
I don’t even have words to describe that.
This date, the 10th of December, 2007, for me at least, goes down in history as the day I lived twice.
So very strange.
It is good to be home. So so good to hug my kids, to smell American food, coming off the plane, to see signs in English and to hear airport announcements made in my native tongue.
At the same time though, I was wholly unprepared for how sorrowful I would be to leave that country, how deeply moved I would be by its people. I will miss, SO SO MUCH, our friends there. I will miss the sights, the kindness, the smells, the sounds, the lilting beauty of the language. I will MISS Japan.
As much as I would like to tell you every little thing, that seems a near impossible feat.
So instead, I think I will parcel it out over time, like a chocolate to melt on your tongue.
In the mean time, suffice it to say that I am safe, I am so. very. happy, to sit and breathe in my young men, and yet something in me will never be the same. I have left a part of my heart in Japan.
{ 30 comments }
Yeah!!! I am so, so glad you are home safely and back with your men. Love the analogy of chocolate melting in your mouth…mmm…you know I love anything in chocolate.
Oh, it’s too early to try and wrap my brain around the whole time zone thing, there. Ow.
Welcome home! I’m so glad it was such a wonderful trip for you. I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, so I’m green with envy and will look fwd to the rest of your report eagerly.
Welcome back. It’s good to have you back and the photos are amazing. Can’t wait to see more.
so where did you visit in japan?
Hurray! Welcome home again, I’ve missed your presence out here… can’t wait to experience Japan vicariously!!
Wow, it looks amazing! I would be sad to leave too. It’s always nice coming home though, no matter where you’ve been. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful pictures!
Welcome home Stef! Beautiful pictures. Travel moves you, figuratively and literally. I’m sure you’ll always hold a place in your heart for your experiences. Can’t wait to hear all about them and see your pictures.
welcome home!
Welcome home!
Welcome home! So glad you’re back and ready to start sharing your experiences. I know what you mean about leaving part of yourself somewhere, and it’s always such a joy when you get to return.
beautiful, stefani. so glad you’re home safely. and that the trip moved you in this way. i look forward to more chocolate!
Sounds like you’ll have to take your little men back with you sometime! Beautiful photos…I too look forward to more
~Rose
Welcome back!! Japan sounds enchanting.
So glad to savor your trip as you see fit!
welcome home! i always need a while to let everything soak in before i talk about it. but, for now, the gorgeous images speak your thoughts precisely.
zippity do dah!
welcome home mama.
yes, the world waited for you here…how generous of a life to share your heart beyond home.
So happy that you’re home safe and sound.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about Japan. I’m loving your photo’s and I KNOW you have hundreds more to share with us.
Dont hold back!
Japan just gets under your skin like that doesn’t it? It’s been 12 years since I left, but it still feels like an itch I can’t quite scratch.
Welcome home. I can’t wait to read more!
So glad you are back with tales to tell. Your stories and pictures to come will be like an advent calender for us mommies; one little piece at a time.
welcome back! missed you! looking forward to crumbs of japan for months and months!
xoxo
welcome home, stefani! i can’t wait to hear all about it. if these photos are any indication, then the stories will be wonderful!
I’m glad to hear you’re home safe & sound with your family. Wow, I can only imagine your ambiguous feelings of coming home. What beautiful images you share here.
I have experienced just little snippets of Japan throughout my life: my husband’s upbringing amongst Japanese families & the sport of judo; a close friend who lived in Japan for a few years; my adoration for and study of Japanese food; my love of Japanese craft magazines and books; as well as my kids’ love of Japanese movies. However, they are all just little parts of the interesting puzzle of Japan (and all the countries of that area). I can’t wait to read your take on this part of our world.
Hey you!
I’m glad you’re back, safely, happy, full of this new experience.
“I have left a part of my heart …” so true. That is precisely how I felt after returning from two weeks in Italy. I am not the same person as before that trip and that trip was 5 years ago. Amazing how we can be so deeply touched by other people, sights, sounds and senses. Your photos and words are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them. – Molly
Welcome home
I’m already loving the pictures and your post on the food made my mouth water. I know I would love the food! Can’t wait to hear more…
So glad to read that you had a great trip and are now safely home with your boys. Can’t wait to read more about it and see more of your lovely photos.
I’m three posts behind on your blog but I’m only letting myself read them one at a time, so this is first. I am so glad you are home and I’m looking forward to the piece of chocolate that is ahead. (I like to suck on my chocolate, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy the time-release of your Japan memories). Funny how many times, while you were away,you came to my mind.
Glad you are home safe. Can’t wait to hear more.
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