This. Is. It.

This is it.  My last day in Taiwan.  I think I’m in denial that tomorrow I’ll be leaving and I won’t be coming back.  It just feels so strange.  There should be a feeling of closure, of finality, and there isn’t.  The only thing I can detect is that I have three more classes to teach and packing to finish.

It’s been a big year.  I’ve had more to deal with all at the same time than I can ever remember having to deal with before.  It’s been a year of gain and loss, of friendships forged, and of figuring out what was important to me and how I wanted to live my life.  It’s been an introspective year.  I’ve crossed off scores of potential careers on my list and perhaps found a direction to pursue.

I am thrilled beyond words at the prospect of going home, returning to the life I once deemed familiar.  I have a feeling, though, that everything will be different.  My old friends are scattered throughout the country, and they have new lives of their own.  I’ll have to start over yet again, for the umpteenth time.

To Fonda and my fellow ETAs: I raise my glass to you.  I could not have asked for a better group of people to spend a year in a foreign country with.  I hope we stay in touch and continue the friendships we spent so much time building and nurturing this year.

To the friends I’ve made in Taiwan: You are the heart and soul of what ties me to this country.  You will be missed.

To those of you at home: See you soon!