Japan, How Do I Count the Ways?
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.
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.
Posted by:Eren | December 11, 2007 at 03:09 AM
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. :)
Posted by:meg | December 11, 2007 at 04:03 AM
Welcome back. It's good to have you back and the photos are amazing. Can't wait to see more.
Posted by:Millie | December 11, 2007 at 04:59 AM
so where did you visit in japan?
Posted by:cyndi | December 11, 2007 at 05:16 AM
Hurray! Welcome home again, I've missed your presence out here... can't wait to experience Japan vicariously!!
Posted by:Diane | December 11, 2007 at 05:40 AM
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!
Posted by:Bluebirdbaby | December 11, 2007 at 05:41 AM
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.
Posted by:Jade | December 11, 2007 at 06:31 AM
welcome home!
Posted by:Kelly | December 11, 2007 at 06:37 AM
Welcome home!
Posted by:Randi | December 11, 2007 at 06:44 AM
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.
Posted by:Sarah Jackson | December 11, 2007 at 07:09 AM
beautiful, stefani. so glad you're home safely. and that the trip moved you in this way. i look forward to more chocolate!
Posted by:emily | December 11, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Sounds like you'll have to take your little men back with you sometime! Beautiful photos...I too look forward to more :)
~Rose
Posted by:Rose | December 11, 2007 at 07:50 AM
Welcome back!! Japan sounds enchanting.
Posted by:Heather | December 11, 2007 at 08:04 AM
So glad to savor your trip as you see fit!
Posted by:Cheryl | December 11, 2007 at 08:05 AM
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.
Posted by:sarah | December 11, 2007 at 08:28 AM
zippity do dah!
welcome home mama.
Posted by:estea | December 11, 2007 at 08:41 AM
yes, the world waited for you here...how generous of a life to share your heart beyond home.
Posted by:kristin | December 11, 2007 at 09:30 AM
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!
Posted by:miguette | December 11, 2007 at 09:49 AM
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.
Posted by:Ali | December 11, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Welcome home. I can't wait to read more!
Posted by:Lynn | December 11, 2007 at 12:02 PM
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.
Posted by:molly | December 11, 2007 at 12:15 PM
welcome back! missed you! looking forward to crumbs of japan for months and months!
xoxo
Posted by:leslie | December 11, 2007 at 01:31 PM
welcome home, stefani! i can't wait to hear all about it. if these photos are any indication, then the stories will be wonderful!
Posted by:erin | December 11, 2007 at 01:48 PM
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.
Posted by:Amber | December 11, 2007 at 04:45 PM
Hey you!
Posted by:Molly Bridle | December 11, 2007 at 07:01 PM