Japan Bound

As I prepare for my trip to Japan, many thoughts cross my mind. I often find myself wondering if this is the best time to take this year long trip.... My girlfriend is graduating this semester, my beloved great-grandmother continues her rapid decent into poorer health, and I am fighting both of my schools to go. In addition I will miss all of the holiday stuff my family is so proud of doing every year. I'm still not sure how I feel about missing Christmas, but I know it would be more work to set it up when I am in Japan than I would like. I guess I should just worry about enjoying my time in Japan.
My last trip was a particularly humbling experience. My days spent with my host family were particularly difficult. I could understand almost everything they said, but I could not make them understand me. I felt like I was being treated like a three year old. But this time will be better, I'm sure it will.