Dear Kayla
I miss you. I remember hanging out with you in the days before I left, and I remember the slobbery kiss you gave me on Saturday morning when I left. I gave you a big hug. My bags told you I was going away for awhile, but I’m not sure they explained how long I would be gone.
You were the first dog I ever had, and you were the best dog anyone could ever ask for. You were smart- you would stay and come when you were told, and you didn’t wander far or into streets. You were protective, and if someone didn’t come home, you’d stay by the downstairs window until they did come home. Watching you play tug-of-war with kids was funny because you’d always let them win. I can’t say you were fond of water, but you could swim, and if Dad went into the water you’d follow him. In your later years, you became quite serious- but would still play with Daisy sometimes (but sometimes it was just a ploy to get her bone).
You were a big part of our family. You never barked much, but you were a good listener, and if one of us had a bad day you’d sit there and listen to us (as long as we scratched that favorite spot on your back). I will remember the smell and feel of your fur; the curve of your tail; the feel of your cold, wet nose when you wanted me to pet you; the sound of your dog tags going to the kitchen when Mom or Dad came home; you scratching at the door to be let in; and you comically refusing a treat because it wasn’t the one you wanted.
We will always remember and love you, Kayla. We miss you.
-Michael
Kayla and Dad at the beach.
August Lessons
Here are the 3 most important things I learned in August:
3. The things you need the most are also things that don’t need translation. Food, water, a place to sleep. If you don’t know how to reach out to someone, try a cup of coffee or a cookie- it has meaning beyond translation.
2. When you are frustrated, take a breather and let go. Don’t pull it together- let go. Every minute of your life you have the choice of how to feel, and you can choose to be miserable all day because you got on the wrong bus or forgot a USB drive, or you can let it go and have a good day.
1. You don’t know when someone you love will be gone forever. So treasure the mundane, the everyday things you do with that person. In the end, you may have a stray family vacation or an occasional funny story- but you will look back on the mundane with a fondness you never anticipated.
Expectations
Today you get a blog and a video log. I have also updated the FAQ section of the site.
Video Log 8-17-2011 Kumano Beach Fireworks (LINK).
Before I came to Japan, I imagined a certain kind of place. You know how when you’re really looking forward to something, you imagine how it’s going to be? A date, Christmas morning, a vacation… Moving to Japan.
I imagined a place where people lived in tiny apartments or these special houses. You know the kind- the kind you see in movies. With the slanted roofs, the tiles, tatami matts, the doors that slide instead of being hinged. I imagined a place where community was very important people bowed to each other ALL the TIME. I thought people would walk the street in traditional wear- kimonos or yukatas, complete with the funny socks and sandals. I thought of a place where, in true Harvest Moon fashion, shops were opened or closed on the strangest days. The type of place where you could feel that the neighborhood was connected- and everyone had awesome gardens. They took pride in their special pruning of trees. Bonsai, they called it.
I imagined a place where weather was different and people appreciated nature more- where mountains added dramatic rain and fog, and the natural beauty of the landscape was inextricably tied to the experience.
But as time got closer to my departure date, I had a lot of reality checks. I had packing to do. Papers to complete. I had to critically think about my responsibilities and what I would need to complete my tasks at hand. I critically examined my expectations about Japan- if the shoe were on the other foot, and I were coming to America for the first time, what would I expect? And is that what I would find when I arrived?
So I convinced myself that this Japan in my mind, it wasn’t accurate. Probably no one wore the traditional outfits anymore- it would be like an American wearing something from the Revolutionary War. And sure, some older people probably practiced Bonsai, but it was one of those things that no one really did that often. Sort of a nice conversation piece. And the houses- surely they didn’t make houses like that anymore.
Yes, I convinced myself that all of my preconceptions were entirely wrong. I was trying to prepare myself, you see. What if I expected all of those things, only to find that Japan is none of those things. I mean, they’re so old, ancient even- surely no one has those things anymore, right?
… Right?
But then I did arrive. And then I did move to Nabari. And I quickly discovered-
THEY HAVE ALL OF THOSE THINGS. PEOPLE DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
YES- IT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK IT IS.
And it’s crazy. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning and temporarily forget where I am. I forget that I am in Japan, and that when I walk to work, I will pass beautiful bonsai gardens, several rice paddies, and see morning fog disappearing into the warm air as sun comes above the mountains.
But then I walk outside, and I’m instantly reminded that it’s all real. It’s all real.
Don’t get me wrong- I’m not trying to say that Japan is some of kind perfect place, or that in comparison the United States isn’t. That’s not true at all. Japan has many problems- and the United States has plenty of beauty.
But the point is, in modern Japan, the old has merged with the new- and yesterday isn’t far away.
Keitai
I got my cell phone yesterday. They call it a keitai.
It’s pink.
My Cell Phone
Yup, pink.
I wanted a cheap phone, and the next step up was like $100 more. I said, no thanks- I’ll take that model. The only color available was pink.
To be honest, I kind of liked this shade of pink. But I was wary- what would other people think? Well now I have an excuse. “Oh, yeah, well it was the only color they had and I needed a new phone so-”
The experience made me think about the things we want, or the things we like, that we’re afraid other people won’t like. “What will other people think?” we ask ourselves. This phone taught me an important lesson:
Forget it.
Like what you like. That’s all there is to it. We waste so much time and energy trying to be someone for others- maybe you should just be what you are.
Earthquake Simulator
Check out my latest video log- I was in an earthquake simulator.
On another note, an earthquake struck Nabari around 8:15 this morning (we were not at the epicenter). I didn’t feel it because I was on the bus.
I’ve also added more pics.
Video: Earthquake Simulator (LINK).
