I only had six entries for the month of June. The passage of time lately has been swift, but somehow languid.

It’s less than a month until I return back to America. I’ve got two jobs lined up and another one. That’ll hopefully pan out as well. But this return is different than I would expect. I can feel the changes that have occurred during my two years over here. I know that I won’t see the full extent of that until I’m back stateside, but I’m grateful.

Today was the last day at my elementary school down in the south. It was weird to leave the place one last time knowing I’ll probably never walk back into that building again.

I’m trying to get everyone in. My weekends are filled up. And the weekdays are stuffed with the final necessities required for a clean departure.

In the midst of all of this, I’m still trying to take the time to appreciate being there. It’s impossible to know how an experience is gonna change you. Even when you’re aware of the capacity for change. Even when you’ve intentionally set yourself in the path for it. You can’t know until you do it.

Today I colored posters for Tanabata. I watched my five students practice their school dance for sports day. And I looked out at the ocean from the classrooms for a final time. In the distance, the mist hung over the southern cape like a soggy blanket. I answered questions about returning to America and why I wasn’t already married. I ate lunch with the accompaniment of Jo’s inevitable hiccups.

And as the day wound down and I walked out of the door— I gave thanks for the memories.