Being already passed the mid point of my second semester, my thoughts about returning back home have now started popping up in my mind. My shopping for personal care and cleaning products, such as shampoo, laundry detergent, etc. has to now be well thought out. I have to now prepare my goodbyes to most people. I have to start letting go of this world of magic and mystery of which I was a part of for the last year.

When I look back at everything, I have gone through so many emotions here. I have had to take so many responsibilities on my own, most of which were for the first time, which really made what I want to do, what I like to do, and those things I don't find important stand out in my mind. At this point, everything is going too fast and I'm getting mixed up in it all, but I think one of the best things of this trip is just that. It has forced me to put an order to my thoughts, and really decide what I want to do.

Right now, I'm pushing through for my class, taking a small break off judo. I going to try to give it quite some thought, consider everything, and really get to the bottom of my own thoughts.

So at the beginning of this semester, I caught a cold and it's been on and off ever since, but my voice just doesn't seem to come back. Up to this point, I've downed over 250 pills, been to 3 different hospitals 8 times, and reduced my talking enormously. This has really taken a hard hit on me because I'm someone who enjoys talking to everyone and making them smile. That's also one of my methods of learning.

Now, another problem has emerged. The next speech contest is coming up, and if my voice is not strong by that time, I won't be able to perform well.

I'm really trying not to talk, but it's almost impossible. I'm going to have to start really ignoring some people in order to not talk. Not a fun experience, but I guess I'm supposed to learn something from this.