I never really expected to be as effected as I was by a single Japanese exchange student.

When encountering another human- one who, as mine, hardly speaks English- yet finding yourself bonding, is priceless. It is as if, in some ways, you transcend conventional methods of communication, such as speech. Since I am limited in Japanese, and she in English, we found different ways to communicate. Ways that were simple, but fun.

Through simple actions we found ourselves rolling on the floor with laughter, or awing at the other about a talent, or something from their culture. Either way, I found myself attached to her in ways I hadn't expected. I also found myself spurred to learn Japanese fluently.

It was even in simple things- such as me taping a big origami dog head onto a fox's body, or eating cookie dough (something that apparently is unheard of in japan, which is strange because I absolutely adore it!) even consecutively falling at the skating rink.

It was amazing, those 18 days, and I can't wait until I go on the trip in a year and get to see her again. It was just a short time that she was here, but I was moved to tears when she left.

I can't help but realize how lonely it is in the morning now that she's left.

There is something though, something nearly unconscious, that created a bond between us, and that's amazing. Had someone said a random Japanese girl would of come into my life and touched me so, I would of laughed, but I get it now. I only wish she could of stayed longer :(