When it’s time to leave.
Today’s word of the day is re-entry permit:
再入国許可書 (さいにゅうこくきょかしょ) sainyuukokukyokasho
Say that ten times fast.
I had to get one of these today because I’m going to Korea for three days (South, obviously). My cousins convinced me and to tell you the truth I’m not that excited. I sure am restless for some reason though. It will be great, and it’s one of those things where, why not, I’m close enough. So this permit is required to maintain your visa when you leave the country and come back. I’m only going to be coming back for about a week more, and I could have just had the student visa cancelled and continued with a tourist, but that would mean accepting that this is truly over. I don’t want to admit it, but the weeks went by like days, days like hours, so on and so forth. And now there are signs everywhere around Tokyo telling me to leave.
You know it’s time to go when you start worrying about normal stuff like how much you got paid. You know it’s time to go when you dread the evening rush hour commute home. You know it’s time to go when you’re caught up with the American prime time drama season. You know it’s time to go when you’re having conversations with your neighborhood convenience store clerk.
So you hold someone’s hand just a little bit lighter than you used to, walk down the streets a little slower, let your eyes linger on leaves and things. You zip your coat up to the hood and suck in your breath when he stands there in front of you,” なにする？”みたいな, because you know it will be the last time.
Open your eyes but glaze your heart as your lips form the word that starts with a g.
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