bittersweet

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::: describes not just a flavor...it's a part of sharing life in community...our church family is so happy and proud to see izumi go to college -- not an easy feat in competitive japan! -- and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse...but we're sad to see her leave us...

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...congratulations, izumi!

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...

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...(below) in case you're wondering what a japanese high school diploma looks like...

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...japanese ceremonies, such as today's, are grounded in group representation and symbolic rites...but from my vantage point, these dynamics seemed to facilitate, rather than preclude, a deep level of participatory emotion and reflection...

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:::

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