It was a rocky and unsettling time.
Going through the most intense break up to date, my future in Tokyo was looking uncertain. Even though there were no longer emotional times, the thought of returning to Australia was daunting.
Packing up and leaving behind seven years of my life in Japan would be too overwhelming. Too much change.
Despite the crowded subways and endless karaoke bars, I found myself miserable and alone in a huge city of 13 million.
“Hey, maybe you should hang out with my wife and her friends…” my American boss suggested one day.
I knew he had married a Japanese lady who was super smart and super fluent in English. She had to be because his Japanese was super terrible.
It took me weeks to finally agree to meet her.
Having been burnt and backstabbed by bitchy high school girls, I tended to stay clear from “girl groups”. One on one friendships was fine. Anything more than a five-girl posse brought back horrible, nasty memories. And it stayed that way right up until my early 30’s. (That’s bullying for you…)
Nonetheless, Nozomi and her friends turned out to be lovely.
Lively, opinionated, mostly multilingual, take-no-shiz-from-no-man , we were a new breed of foreign career women in male dominated Tokyo.
Somehow, at some point, we were dubbed “Girl Nation”
Cheesy perhaps but it had a fearless ring to it.
I remember one male friend asking me, “So, do all your new girlfriends kinda like, you know, hate men???”
To which I replied, “Whaaaa???”
We were teachers, lawyers, bankers, HR managers and sales executives. We loved our jobs. We were good at our jobs. Above all, we were independent and self-sufficient.
If that made us man-haters, well…
These gals grabbed me into their group at a time I was ready to fall and crash.
They took me snowboarding, diving, hiking and reminding me how to live life to the fullest.
They helped me forget the pain of my heartbreak. They taught me the importance of sisterhood.
Then, when I was ready to finally go back home to Australia, they supported me throughout the whole scary transition.
In a couple of weeks, I get to see them all again.
Admittedly, I have been terrible at keeping in touch with them.
Yet, the excited messages going back and forth about when and where we’ll meet while I’m in town proves that I’ve been forgiven.
And isn’t that what real friendship is all about?
Got your own “Girl Nation” happening? What’s the biggest lesson have your girlfriends taught you? Ever felt lonely in a crowded room?
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Emily says
What a lovely group! And I think when you have the right group and the right friends, staying in touch isn’t as important as finding the right people for you in the first place. (Thanks for starring in today’s post! HULKSMASH!)
Emily recently posted..We didn’t start the mummy wars
Amy @ handbagmafia says
Why do women get labelled man haters if they exist successfully and happily independent of them?!
Glad you’re catching up with your mates!
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Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I have a posse of female friends (who all started work together just over 20 years ago now!) and we have a ball whenever we get together. There have been some very interesting times along the way but we’ve stuck together and have only made our bond stronger over the years. I hope you enjoy your trip and your catch up with Girl Nation!
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Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
That is so awesome that you found a group of women who were true friends that you could connect with – even better that you get to see them again.
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Martine@themodernparent says
Sounds like you will have a fabulous time! I am actually catching up with some old work friends today (from 16 years ago work) and I am so looking forward to it. Enjoy my friend xx
Martine@themodernparent recently posted..Here’s why I cant take Kate Winslet’s advice to ban social media
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life says
The best thing about true girlfriends is that it doesn’t matter how long the gap is since you last saw each other or spoke when you do see each other again you just immediately pick up where you left off! Enjoy your reunion with this lovely group of ladies!
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Nikki@Wonderfully Women says
A big yay for gal pal’s picking you up when you are down. I am thankful for mine! xx N
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Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
It’s great to have a group of girl friends like that. When I lived in London, there were 5 of us and we were like Sex and the City plus one more. We’re all living all over the world and haven’t all been together in the same place since I got married in 2007 – but never say never, right? I reckon you girls, are going to have a lot of catching up to do – are you sure one night is enough?!
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Desire Empire says
There are no friends like old friends and I agree with your theory on groups of girls. Have a great reunion
Carolyn
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Erika @ Ever-changing life of a mUm says
They sound like the best kind of friends and how exciting that you are catching up again. Some of my best friends are those who I may only see every now and again but when we do catch up we just pick up from where we left of.
Mumma McD says
I’ve got a core group of girlfriends from school – we don’t see each other often but when we do we pick up like it was yesterday. Enjoy reconnecting! X
Mumma McD recently posted..The Docket Diaries â Week Three â That clean house feeling!
Natalie @ our parallel connection says
Isn’t it interesting that when you are s confident , assertive and positive woman you must hate men… I love men and I want my boys to love a woman who is confident to be herself.. And will love my boys as I do. Things have changed but not as much as you think
Natalie @ our parallel connection recently posted..Oops – think I just wet my pants
Ai Sakura says
Yay how amazing it is to have a reliable group of friends to support you through hard times! 🙂 are you going back to Japan?? have a great trip!!!
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Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
How exciting to catch up with your old girlfriends. To me real friendships are the ones that aren’t hard work and you get to pick back up where you left off no matter how long since you last spoke.
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Julie @ OFF TO THE PARK says
What a lovely group of friends. Enjoy your catchup! x
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Robyna | The Mummy and the MInX says
Sounds like the best kind of friends – the ones that have your back. I have a few really close girlfriends that fit that bill – and I am so thankful to have them.
Robyna | The Mummy and the MInX recently posted..Shop What You Got – the story so far
Bec Senyard says
What a lovely post and how exciting to be able to catch up with your friends again. Isn’t it amazing how friendship can get you through rough seasons of life. X
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Zoe Meunier says
Ooh, how exciting for you, I love a reunion! When you’ve had those kind of special memories with a group, it always feels like no time has passed at all. Enjoy!
Zoe Meunier recently posted..8 things that would make parenthood a lot easier
Mary Denman says
Have a wonderful time reconnecting! They sound like a great group of friends. Going skydiving maybe??
Have a great weekend!
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sarah@tomfo says
How exciting, I think if you find the right group of girls it doesn’t matter if you don’t keep in touch,
you’ll always pick up right where you left off.
I caught up with a few great friends in Sydney a few weeks back, and it was just like we’d never left.
Yay for girl catch ups… so needed and we so deserve them.
Have a fab weekend lovely x
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Raych aka Mystery Case says
What a wonderful group. I’m envious. After 22 moves which now has us living across the country, it’s hard to keep up or catch up with my old friends. I’m always the new kid on the block doing double time to fit in.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..Life’s Little Treasures… World Prematurity Day
Angie @ The Little Mumma says
I love when the universe provides like this! A solid group of girlfriends is magic.
Angie @ The Little Mumma recently posted..Motherhood and PND: you are not alone.
Bronnie - Maid In Australia says
YES! I love this post! I have felt lonely in a crowded room. And I have also felt so loved and supported, sometimes by the people you least expect to be there. And then, somehow, they become your greatest friends. Doesn’t matter if oceans or distance divide you, but you are still there for each other. That sisterhood is so important. It’s not about man-hating, it’s about being their for your girlfriends. And yeah, I have encountered a few nasty girls (and guys) but it’s the ones who are there for you and who make a difference who rock.
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Melissa {Suger} says
Friends like that, who elevate you and pick you up when you’re down are the best kind. It’s also why time or distance doesn’t matter. They will always be there.
Melissa {Suger} recently posted..To be happy you have to be investing in yourself
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
I guess our mothers group is kind of like a girl nation. I’ve never really had a group of girlfriends {even in highschool} until I met them. I have heaps of female friends but none who hang out in a group until mothers group. Its been great though to have a bunch of friends who are all at the same life stage {regardless of our ages}. And I hang out with most of them each week.
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Denyse says
How great is that story and soon you will meet up again. Exciting times! D x
Denyse recently posted..Love This Tree! 323/365.
Maria @ Pastels & Macarons says
Sounds like a great group of friends! And how exciting for you to be going to Tokiyo!!! I hope you have a fabulous catch up with all your friends 🙂
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Lisa Wood says
Oh what fun you are going to have!
Love the friendships that can last the lifetime 🙂
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