Translations

Sakura (Sa-ku-ra): Cherry blossom

Hanami (Ha-na-me): Viewing flowers

Obaasan (O-ba-a-san): Grandmother

Otousan (O-to-u-san): Father

Okaasan (O-ka-a-san): Mother

Otouto (O-to-u-to): Younger brother

Maruyama (Mar-u-ya-ma): A park in Kyoto, Japan

My name is Naomi Higashi and I'm going to tell you the story of one of my most saddest and happiest memories. The day that I moved from my home country to where I live now.   

You see I was born in a pretty city in Japan called Kyoto, but when I was 8 years old my okaasan told my otouto and me that we were moving to America because my otousan got a job in Washington DC. 

I was so sad when she told us that and I tried my best to make sure each day went by slowly but sadly the day came.  

(Me)

Okaasan

Otousan

Otouto

My Family

It was a nice spring morning, I remember waking up to the sun shining on my face and the nice cool breeze coming through my window. It was so nice and peaceful but that feeling quickly went away when I remembered that in a couple of hours I was going to be on an airplane heading to Washington DC.

I sat up and looked around my room. It was a small room and the only things that were in my room were my futon and my alarm clock, everything else I had my parents either sold or gave it away. I looked down at my alarm clock and saw the time.

"9:00 AM! I overslept!

I jumped out of my futon, changed my clothes and ran downstairs to the kitchen where my family was eating. 

“Ohayou,” I said 

“Ohayou!” everyone said back

“Did you sleep well?” my okaasan asked as she got up to get me my breakfast.

"No...I had a hard time falling asleep,” I said as I sat in a chair in between my otouto and my obaasan.

“Were you nervous for today?" my obaasan asked.

I nodded.

“Oh, Naomi" my mother said as set my food down in front of me and gave me a hug. 

"We know you're sad about moving but trust us when we say that you're going to love it living in Washington DC."

I didn't say anything to her and for the rest of breakfast I stayed quiet and listened to my parents and obaasan talk about a "farewell dinner" we were going to have tonight. All of our friends and family were going to come to spend the time with us before we left.

After we all finished eating and helping clean the kitchen my mother asked me if I wanted to go with her to the grocery store to get a couple of things for the dinner.

I said yes I didn't have anything else to do and I really did want to see Kyoto and the cherry blossoms one last time.

The sakura's were almost in full bloom which meant that Hanami was coming up and it got me sad that I was not going to be able to go to the festival this year.

I loved Hanami, I had so many happy memories of my family and friends dressing up in our kimonos or even in our normal clothes and going to Maruyama Park where we would just sit and eat under the sakura trees.

We took our time buying the food and when we were done we walked back home. When we got back I helped my okaasan put away the groceries but my she let me go when my best friend, Mei and her parents came over.

We both went upstairs to my room and started playing with some of my most precious toys that i was able to bring. We played for a while but then we started talking about Washington DC and we both promised to write letters to each other.

After that, more and more people started coming over and soon the house was filled with all of our friends and family members. Some of the adults were helping out in the kitchen and some were just sitting and talking to each other while all the kids (my cousins, Emiko, my brother, and me) were outside playing.

We played until our parents called us inside to eat and when they did we all ran inside and sat down next to our parents. I looked around the table there was so much yummy looking food, most of it were made by my obaasan and okaasan and the rest were brought by other people. I couldn't wait until we said our thanks and

started eating!

While we were all eating I looked around at all of our guests. Seeing everyone together eating, talking and laughing reminded me of Hanami. I started getting sad but I shook it away and continued eating.

Soon we were all done eating and people slowly started leaving until the only ones left were my family, Mei and her parents. They stayed to help us clean and Mei's father wanted to drive us all to the airport. We were very thankful for their help because we were able to clean my obaasan's house, finish packing our bags and make it to

the airport just in time.

When we got to the airport we all said our goodbyes and gave each other hugs. As we walked to the gates I heard Mei shout "Remember our promise!" from behind.

"Don't worry I'll write to you as soon as I get the chance!" I shouted back.

We got on the plane and got comfortable in our seats. In a couple minutes the plane took off and when we were pretty high up I looked out the window and whispered "goodbye Kyoto."