Going back to California

When I was on a plane from LAX to Tokyo a few weeks ago, I wondered when I could come back to the US next time, and I hoped it would happen within a year. 

However, I got a job offer from a company in San Francisco just one week after that, and I actually decided to start working there next week. Can't believe this... There are still some Visa problems I have to deal with, but it's worth challenging, I guess.

Wondering how the life in SF would be like.

On the way back home

I'm at LAX now. My colorado life is officially done this morning, and now i'm feeling both relieved and sad, very complicated. 

This morning, when I showed up at a living room, my host dad, host mom and a new au pair were waiting for me there. The dad taking me to the airport said, "I will be waiting for you in a car. It might be emotional time for you girls, right? Crying and hugging...". So i said, "Nah, I'm not that kind of person..." looking back at my host mom and found her eyes filled with tears. She said smiling but crying, "Well, I am that kind of person..." and gave me a big hug. 

On the way to the airport, my host dad was more talkable than usual and repeated "We'll all miss you. You are always welcomed to come back". They didn't sound fake. 

The kids were still sleeping. 

During 1.5-year my au pair program, I actually lost something such as a career and a boyfriend whom I'd believed to marry with, but I gained much more important things for my life than them. I've never felt regret for coming to Colorado as an au pair, and I kind of appreciate my ex-bf breaking up with me. 

LAX-- several years ago, I felt comfy and "home" whenever I came to this airport, but now I feel myself stranger. I'm wondering how Tokyo would seem to me. 

Stronger

I don't like post something very private, emotional and negative, but I really wanna be stronger. I don't need anybody staying with me, but if I do, it's somebody making me stronger. I want to get a power to believe, to walk to what I believe and to never give up. 

It was the last night in Denver, and I'll be on a plane within 6 hours. 

Stronger

I don't like post something very private, emotional and negative, but I really wanna be stronger. I don't need anybody staying with me, but if I do, it's somebody making me stronger. I want to get a power to believe, to walk to what I believe and to never give up. Who would?

It was the last night in Denver, and I'll be on a plane within 6 hours. 

Niwot / Longmont

Went to Niwot to meet my friends and have ramen with the new nanny. There were some people I knew at the restaurant as always, and they all asked me when I would leave for Japan. It's a little surprising that I got to know such many local people, who cared about me here during a year and a half. Some of the friends who immigrated to the US seriously thought about my future career and gave me a lot of wonderful information and advice. Getting a working visa and a green card are not simple at all, and you cannot understand enough only with information from the Internet, so their experience is really appreciated. 

The friends of mine took us to some cute gift shops and a wonderful cheese store in Longmont, and we also went to see a Japanese tower and a torii. I wish I'd had enough time to see them, but it was pretty hard because of heavy snow. They were beautiful anyway, though. We chatted a lot at my friends' house. It was a typical Colorado weekend which was peaceful and fun.