What is it with family members? I’m having problems with my entire family right now, and it’s really bothering me. So I’m writing up a set of well-argued emails which hopefully will help cut through some of this shit with the ones most important to me. Let’s see if this at least starts a reasonable, clear dialogue, instead of avoiding the important issues.

I’m done with Japan. Finished. Finito. Ready to go.

I learned a lot being here, and I’m so glad I came and developed my career and worldly understanding. This was perhaps one of the most important learning experiences of my life. A good friend of mine said she thought it was a mistake for me to come here . . . and while she might have meant that she knew I would eventually leave, perhaps she didn’t realize that I would learn so much . . .

But it’s time to move on.