I'm in Los Angeles now. Actually, Marina Del Rey. I don't have 'Net access at the apartment, so I'm writing this entry at Kinko's. I've minimized the window so the pictures of the naked people won't offend the old lady in the next kiosk.
Friday was my last full day in Toronto. I had lunch with my mom and my older sister. Afterwards, my sister and I hugged goodbye. My sister and I have never hugged before, so this was nice.
I spent Friday night having dinner with my Sensei and two of my friends from the dojo. Sensei presented me with a silver pin engraved with the kanji characters for kageyama ('hidden mountain'). That was the first gift I have ever received from a non-family member. True to character, Sensei gruffly joked that he would take the thing back if I started crying.
I had breakfast with my parents, my brother and my younger sister on Saturday morning. My mom made my favourite breakfast (scrambled eggs, longaniza sausage, and fried rice). I hugged my bro and my sis goodbye, the first time we've ever hugged each other. We were never touchy-feely types growing up, and we were frequently at odds. It is nice to know that there are genuine feelings of affection between us now.
My mom and my dad drove me to the airport. I said my goodbyes to them before I went through security. Funny, I didn't cry during all the goodbye dinners and hugs with my siblings and my friends, but when I hugged and kissed my mom at the security gate, it hit me that I would not be able to jump in the car and drive to see my parents for the next few years. I got choked up and had to fight hard to keep tears from welling up in my eyes, because I had to do an interview with the American customs agents before I boarded my plane.
I was able to put on a stoic face, and got through immigration without any trouble. As the plane was taxied to the runway, I put on the headphones provided by the flight attendent to listen to the in-flight music. The song 'Life in a Northern Town' by The Dream Academy came on, and the tears I had been holding back for 4 hours just flowed. I'm really gonna miss Toronto.
My life in California begins tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Friday was my last full day in Toronto. I had lunch with my mom and my older sister. Afterwards, my sister and I hugged goodbye. My sister and I have never hugged before, so this was nice.
I spent Friday night having dinner with my Sensei and two of my friends from the dojo. Sensei presented me with a silver pin engraved with the kanji characters for kageyama ('hidden mountain'). That was the first gift I have ever received from a non-family member. True to character, Sensei gruffly joked that he would take the thing back if I started crying.
I had breakfast with my parents, my brother and my younger sister on Saturday morning. My mom made my favourite breakfast (scrambled eggs, longaniza sausage, and fried rice). I hugged my bro and my sis goodbye, the first time we've ever hugged each other. We were never touchy-feely types growing up, and we were frequently at odds. It is nice to know that there are genuine feelings of affection between us now.
My mom and my dad drove me to the airport. I said my goodbyes to them before I went through security. Funny, I didn't cry during all the goodbye dinners and hugs with my siblings and my friends, but when I hugged and kissed my mom at the security gate, it hit me that I would not be able to jump in the car and drive to see my parents for the next few years. I got choked up and had to fight hard to keep tears from welling up in my eyes, because I had to do an interview with the American customs agents before I boarded my plane.
I was able to put on a stoic face, and got through immigration without any trouble. As the plane was taxied to the runway, I put on the headphones provided by the flight attendent to listen to the in-flight music. The song 'Life in a Northern Town' by The Dream Academy came on, and the tears I had been holding back for 4 hours just flowed. I'm really gonna miss Toronto.
My life in California begins tomorrow. Wish me luck!
oh...and i love that song.
i was thinking about you this morning, wondering how you were doing.
change is hard and i think you're brave as hell.
which martial arts discipline do you study?
xoxo