Today I celebrate my one year anniversary of moving to Japan. It is amazing how much can change in one year, and what also stays the same. With that, I would like to reflect a bit on these differences. In the past 365 days, I have not: - Seen my Mother, Father, Family, or Friends - Enjoyed many of the foods I had grown accustom to over the years - This includes, crappy fast food pizza, crappy fast food burgers, steak, homemade pies, and most upsettingly; Latino foods, and lasagna (Lord, how I miss lasagna) - I have not consumed any form of cannabis - I have not seen my Tukwila - Visited my Seattle - Or walked down to South Center (though I cant say I miss that one too terribly) - I have not been able to eavesdrop on people on the bus - Or understand much of what is being said on television This all being said, in the last year, Ive been lucky enough too: - Make over 300 new friends, some of which I consider to be family - Learned to cook my own crappy cheeseburgers, and crappy pizza. Ive learned to bake bread, dumplings, and many of both Japanese and American recipes which I can bring home with me - I learned I dont really mind being without cannabis - Had to chance to visit many new cities, such as Beppu, Oita, Fukokua, Osaka, Kyoto, and many others. - I was lucky enough to spend six months in a happy relationship, where I learned much about myself - Been to two amazing firework shows comparable to 4th of July celebrations back home - I found employment at an English School, and learned that children are demons no matter where they come from - (Jokes aside theyre actually sweethearts) - Got to go to an amazing Hard Rock Japanese concert with a good friend - And learned they mostly listen to shitty American mainstream in Japanese clubs, so there really isnt any point of going - I learned that Squid can be pretty yummy, and that Natto is absolutely the worst thing in existence. Dont let them fool you - There is also more deep-fried food in Japan than America, believe it or not - Ive seen plenty of new insects, and animals. Many of the former are loud, big, and very annoying. Including Wild Boars, who most certainly do not want to be friends - I constructed a large penis made from snow And most importantly, I have developed a strong basis in the Japanese language. When I arrived, I only when the alphabet, Konichiwa, and Saiyonara, give or take a few Kanji. While my listening abilities are still poor, I can generally say most things I need to, and am getting better every day. I plan to take this skill to my future occupation, and build on it for the rest of my life. In conclusion, there is much I miss about home, but so very much I love in this new home. I have no idea what my future holds beyond my next year here, but I certainly plan on frequent travel between the two. I must really thank my parents for supporting me over the last year, theyve sacrificed so much for this opportunity, and I feel the deepest gratitude for their love, as well as all of yours. Thank you friends, new and old, for everything you have done.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 09:42:56 +0000
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