Toshi

[nillion]

Today, about an hour and a half ago, Toshi left for her trip to Japan. She drove over to the Santa Barbara Airport, where I suppose she is right now. From there, she will fly to San Franciso. In San Francisco, she's take part in Youth For Understanding's orientation for the weekend, and then, she'll leave for Japan

Comments

Japan

[warozaka]

I'm glad you have such an optimistic take on it; she told me she was very happy to go to Japan but sooo upset she wouldn't see you for so many months. But it is true she always wanted to go there, and she would have been quite disappointed if she hadn't been chosen and if she hadn't been allowed to go.
She should indeed have a wonderful time, immersing herself in their culture, and learning Japanese language.

I just hope you wil be able to communicate enough. She will probably email you less often, but she won't forget you, I am sure.

Congratulations on being so selfless about it -- and drawing pleasure from her joy.

Re: Japan

[nillion]

She was upset. It's one of the things I worry about - that she won't enjoy Japan as much as she could, because she was thinking of me. She's promised me otherwise, but, while I trust in her resolve, I still worry. I worry that she's get hurt, too. Or that her dreams will be broken because Japan is not what she thinks it is(I hope that it's closer to her view than what I saw while there

Re: Japan

[warozaka]

I didn't know you had ever been in Japan? you didn't like it? why?

I can reasure myself thinking that everything is constructed so that students do not feel lost and come to no harm. Her host family must be reliable.
They will probably manage for students not seeing only drawbacks to Japan -- they want satisfied students and statisfied parents ...

that she won't enjoy Japan as much as she could, because she was thinking of me. She's promised me otherwise, but, while I trust in her resolve, I still worry.

She said so often that Japan was going to be awesome; she was glad to go, despite leaving her family, lover, and friends.

Or that her dreams will be broken because Japan is not what she thinks it is
I think that even if Japan isn't better than America, she should enjoy it, because she will discover something different from her homeland, and it is always interesting to discover something new.
And Warozaka, people's happiness always brings me joy. That in this case it is someone close to me, makes it all the sweeter. I am sad,

Re: Japan

[nillion]

I was in Japan with my father for about a month. He was teaching Arts Managment(how to manage orchestras and such) at Showa University. I didn't really do much touristy stuff, but rather a lot of mundane stuff. Everything struck me as rigid, uniform, and dull, alternating with the extreme opposite. Not what I like very much. I'm very much a nail that sticks up, you know.

I'm curious as to what you meant in your last response. 'Happiness isn't possible among unhappy people?'

As for the other two, I agree.

...So.

[faile88]

Hey Nil!

So glad that you are taking this situation so well! If it was me, I'd be worried sick and probably spend every minute of my day thinking of nothing but whoever it was. Which would probably mess up my life incredibly. Keep that happiness! I hate it when people are sad...

Faile

[nekelele_one]

You know, you almost put me in tears in the community center reading this entry. I haven`t read anybody`s LJ since I left, so now I came to read yours and the first one I haven`t read is all about me.

I suppose that having you on my mind all the time, Nil, makes me focus less on the culture and what I am learning to a degree, but it also gives me strength and tenacity and hope and happiness without which your fears might be utterly compounded.

Thank you, love. *hugs*