Cold, empty halls on warm summer nights...

My beautiful Ga, having her pre-flight lunch at Narita yesterday...

It's still a bit too early to believe it was yesterday that my Pangga left Japan for Cebu, leaving her alien registration card behind - that chapter of her life has ended, and a new one is about to begin. I hope to have her near me again as soon as possible, but we both know that a little patience is required that respect. Although I gave her a short ring this evening while she was having dinner with some of her friends in Cebu, but you know it's not the same as walking down to SD2-414 or making a call to Yokohama. No, for now we'll be apart for a while, and the pain and longing will be harsh and definite, but it is something that has to be endured. I love my Ga, and nothing gives me greater joy than to see her smile before me or to hold her tightly within my arms, but I'll just have to wait a little longer. We'll be meeting again for a short while in Malaysia, but as much joy as that will bring to me, I'm already taking stock of the sorrow that will follow after. Sigh.

I have so many things to do, actually. The start of my new life in Tokyo is coming up soon, which is going to be a bit of a shock after lazily sauntering through the tranquility of Urasa. It's going to be harder for me still, since most of the people I know have left the scene, back to their own countries to jump-start their lives back into order, while I'm the only one left behind. I have to find a new place, make new friends, and get used to city life again come the end of September. And all this with the South China Sea standing between me and my Ga. Sigh. Did I mention that I love my Ga? I miss our dinners together, waiting to call on Boris for one thing or the other. I miss the walks we use to take through the different seasons, enjoying the natural beauty that readily embraces the campus of IUJ. I miss our drive to Ikazawa to teach the kids English, of coming up crazy lesson plans just to get through the hour, and the mysterious air of tension that surrounded those Friday nights. I miss our outings with our classmates, with Samantha, Trang, Valerie, Yulia, Eiei, among others, as well as hanging out with the Pinoys for gatherings and such. I miss our life together in IUJ. IUJ is still here, but it is cold, empty, and not the IUJ that I remembered, the IUJ with my Ga. I love my Ga!

In any case, the heat of the summer is starting to bare its teeth - it's getting harder to sleep now, my room temperature sweltering the life out of me as I stare outside into the empty darkness of my window. But I have to get things into order soon. Once everything is under way, I'll be way too busy spending my time on research to mope about. But, I guess, for now, a little moping is acceptable... nay, actually called for, so soon after the parting. Mope about for a while, and then get to work. Yes, to work, for there is much to be done...