Three years ago I was spending my final year in college. I was wrapping up my second year of Japanese study and was an applicant on a teaching exchange program to Japan. My friend, Sissie, applied at the same time.

Neither of us were accepted into the program that year.

This month, Sissie came to visit from her time abroad. It was a brief visit, but she and I spent a couple of nights talking face to face about what happened in the past year or two. I shared with her my troubles of this year (and of the months prior) while she told me about how her life was going overseas. We talked for hours.

I've been out of the loop more so with work. I have my projects and I have people I write to. But I've not sat down just to chill and chat with anyone for quite a bit. Sissie's visit home was wonderful to have.

Two years ago Sissie and I applied again to the Japan Exchange and Teaching program. We were both accepted that year. While I returned after one year of being on the program, she stayed. She's now on her third and possibly final year.