Leave was over far too quickly and yes, going back in was tricky. They'd all warned me and I was prepared to find it as hard as packing up and moving to Japan the first time around. Only… it wasn't that bad. After all, I knew what I was stepping back into. I even knew my schedule for Friday, so there were few surprises.

Though I think I get now why some of the guys trudge through the gate as if they're bearing the weight of the world on their shoulders when they come back. Restrictions. That's what most people can't handle once they're settled here. Not being able to go home for their parents' birthdays, not being able to rush out and help should help be needed. Getting news when it's old and cold. What it really all comes down to is not being able to decide for yourself.

Maybe the training I've had and the life I've lived has prepared me a little better for handling this. Living in dorms isn't so much different from living in barracks. Living to tight schedules of practice, appearances and training isn't that far different from army duty. Being away from your family and under a manager's thumb isn't any different from being ordered around as part of a unit.

We've lived like that for so many years I'm used to it. Maybe it's time to pass on some of the tricks I've learned to the clueless kids to make it easier on them.