Well, it has ended. My home stay is over.

Believe it or not, I did not sleep until noon today, as has been my wont in the past. Today I got up early to pack my stuff so that'd I'd be ready for the trip back to the Center. After breakfast, not knowing what else to do, I helped Okaasan clean house (I guess they just couldn't wait to get the stink of gaijin out). Cleaning felt, I don't know, mildly cathartic(?) and made me stop feeling gloomy. We had lunch, and then all piled into the station wagon to make the trip to the Center.

That was rather heartening, since this time my host siblings were coming along too. No one was soppy eyed or anything, but they were willing to make the long round trip to see me off. After we offloaded my stuff in the dorm, we all went to Coco's for a farewell sundae.

Otousan and Okaasan will be coming back for the graduation ceremony, at which point I'll give them the thank you present that Mom and Dad sent (and is still in transit).

I'm cutting this one short. I'm feeling really run down, and just need some time to recuperate.