A bit late, but happy new year!!!
I have been meaning to update this in 2017 with all the things that happened to me in Japan. But somehow I haven't gotten around to it. I will attempt to summarize, though, in the list below.
10 things I'm grateful for in 2017
1. The year-long adventure in Japan. 🇯🇵
2. The experience of working in Japan. Taking the train to work, taking a deep breath to say おはようございます out loud, getting used to all the日本語 expressions they use when officemates talk to you, and participating in after-work parties (カンパイ!).
3. Meeting new friends (part 1). These are the fellow assignees I was able to share stuff with. May it be in the morning commute, the daily 4th floor lunch-ins, the random スシロー or pizza 食べ放題 dinners, or the weekend trips to central Tokyo, I was able to really get to know some of them.
4. Going to places with Alvin. The seven months that we shared was an opportunity to see more of Japan. Izu, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Hikone, Himeji, to name some. But this particular place deserves a separate number:
5. Sapporo. We went primarily for the Snow Festival and for the fresh seafood. It turns out Sapporo, particularly in Mt. Moiwa, will be a very special place. It's where I said yes. ❤️
6. Fulfilled promises, sort of. Donna and I have been wanting to visit and explore Tokyo together ever since we became Arashi fans. There were many twists and turns, and it wasn't exactly what we've dreamt of before but we finally made it happen.
7. Fangirling goals achieved (part 1). I hit for last minute tickets to Arashi's ワクワク学校 in Tokyo Dome.
8. Fangirling goals achieved (part 2). I hit for Tokyo Dome tickets to Arashi's 「untitled」tour. This can also be filed under #6 since Donna was also able to watch the concert with us.
9. Independence, sort of. Living alone, taking care of household stuff on my own, waking up on my own, doing things I want to do, going to places I've never been to, etc.
10. Meeting new friends (part 2). In the final months of my assignment, I somehow have gotten close to another set of friends. These are the people who accompanied me in achieving my "two-month list." Also, late night movie/kdrama binge watching became our thing. (We were able to finish watching While you were Sleeping)
Now that my assignment is over and I'm back home, it actually feels like waking up from a really good dream. You long to go back to sleep but you can't. You just have to get up, stretch and get ready to face the new day ahead.
I already know that there are many challenges ahead this year. I would have to juggle work and wedding preps and deal with pressures from different factors. I would just have to be hopeful and positive that I will make it through.
がんばります！
Fighting!
10 things I'm grateful for in 2017
1. The year-long adventure in Japan. 🇯🇵
2. The experience of working in Japan. Taking the train to work, taking a deep breath to say おはようございます out loud, getting used to all the日本語 expressions they use when officemates talk to you, and participating in after-work parties (カンパイ!).
3. Meeting new friends (part 1). These are the fellow assignees I was able to share stuff with. May it be in the morning commute, the daily 4th floor lunch-ins, the random スシロー or pizza 食べ放題 dinners, or the weekend trips to central Tokyo, I was able to really get to know some of them.
4. Going to places with Alvin. The seven months that we shared was an opportunity to see more of Japan. Izu, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Hikone, Himeji, to name some. But this particular place deserves a separate number:
5. Sapporo. We went primarily for the Snow Festival and for the fresh seafood. It turns out Sapporo, particularly in Mt. Moiwa, will be a very special place. It's where I said yes. ❤️
6. Fulfilled promises, sort of. Donna and I have been wanting to visit and explore Tokyo together ever since we became Arashi fans. There were many twists and turns, and it wasn't exactly what we've dreamt of before but we finally made it happen.
7. Fangirling goals achieved (part 1). I hit for last minute tickets to Arashi's ワクワク学校 in Tokyo Dome.
8. Fangirling goals achieved (part 2). I hit for Tokyo Dome tickets to Arashi's 「untitled」tour. This can also be filed under #6 since Donna was also able to watch the concert with us.
9. Independence, sort of. Living alone, taking care of household stuff on my own, waking up on my own, doing things I want to do, going to places I've never been to, etc.
10. Meeting new friends (part 2). In the final months of my assignment, I somehow have gotten close to another set of friends. These are the people who accompanied me in achieving my "two-month list." Also, late night movie/kdrama binge watching became our thing. (We were able to finish watching While you were Sleeping)
Now that my assignment is over and I'm back home, it actually feels like waking up from a really good dream. You long to go back to sleep but you can't. You just have to get up, stretch and get ready to face the new day ahead.
I already know that there are many challenges ahead this year. I would have to juggle work and wedding preps and deal with pressures from different factors. I would just have to be hopeful and positive that I will make it through.
がんばります！
Fighting!