Mono no Aware

I know this may sound silly, but sometimes I wish I could have stayed at Wellesley for one more year to perform with Aiko. But alas, all things must come to an end. I am reminded of the Japanese concept of "mono no aware." There is beauty in the transient. Even though this chapter in my life has ended, I will cherish the memories I made with my fellow Aiko members: walking back to our dorms in the snow at 11:30pm after a energizing practice at the gym, taping the heads of our gomikan and then subsequently naming them, the excitement before our first public performance at yuki matsuri....fun times. I look forward to the day I can return to Wellesley to see Aiko perform.