For the second consecutive night I went without any sleep because there were too many other things that needed finishing. I stayed up until around 2:00 a.m. chatting with Maki-san, presenting her with a photo album as a going-away present. The album was complete with chronological photos recounting our memories over the past year. Looking through the photos, which numbered nearly 200, was a strong reminder of just how many amazing experiences I have had, and so many of them were thanks to her. I have done everything I can to not think about leaving Japan because every time I think about it I feel a strong longing to stay. While I very much want to return home, at the same time I do not want to leave.

The remainder of the morning was spent packing and finishing up the remainder of my research presentation. By the time 5:30 a.m. rolled around Maki-san was awake, making me a Japanese breakfast downstairs. More than anything, I will miss the innocuous parts parts of my life in Tokyo that have become a part of daily life, and nothing comes to mind more than chatting with Maki-san over breakfast or dinner.

I arrived at Tokyo Tech 45 minutes before the presentations began so that I could chat with other professors and the other researchers on the YSEP program. It will be difficult saying goodbye to the the 30 or so people in the program, but that is a part of life to which I have, somewhat unfortunately, grown accustomed. My presentation was fairly uneventful, although I felt bad for Eric (Hong Kong) because his professor was a nightmare. All the horror stories he has shared with me throughout the semester came to life as he obviously had it out for people. One of the girls to present, Hilda (Indonesia), was put on the spot for 10 minutes after being asked to explain the meaning of some ridiculous term. (It kills me, but I have forgotten what the word was now!! It was something obvious like 'test' or experiment,' making everyone in the room wonder why it was such a big deal.)

I went out for OKONOMIYAKI with Julian (France) and Midory (Japan) at a small restaurant in O-OKAYAMA. I had to rush the meal because I had a bag that needed to be shipped home from a nearby postal service. No one at the office spoke any English, but this late in the year it was like fielding a fly-ball.

I headed back to the presentations, arriving a few minutes late, and sat through the remaining presentations. By 2:00 p.m. everyone had finished presenting their year's worth of work, and the awards ceremony began. My laboratory professor, Okuma-sensei and the President of Tokyo Tech hosted the event. Interestingly, I could not help smiling at the President's speech as I was recruited to write it for him (obviously being forced to stay quiet about it). Denton (Australia) later delivered a great speech dedicated to all the administrators and commemorating our year so that by the end of the event everyone was on their feet clapping and smiling. It was a great moment.

Later in the evening I met my friends from the laboratory and they hosted a final going away barbeque for me. I promised to see them all again the following summer and was presented with a fantastic gift: a Japanese national team soccer jersey. I really will miss them!

YSEP 2008: