Hello world! So this is my (close to) last video! In this video, I took some of my favorite memories along with the last couple of weeks and put them all together.
During my last few weeks, it was extremely hard; most of my friends were leaving every single day while I was trying to enjoy my last days in Japan. But it wasn't all that bad.
In one of exciting trips in Japan, a few friends and I went to a city near Osaka called Kobe. This city is very popular and many people bring dates here to spend time with them and take them out to a restaurant. Well the time we went is no exception. We caught the Illumination Lights (Christmas Lights is what I guess Westerners would call it). The city of Kobe puts up lights down one of their streets for everyone to see, and the street leads to a park where even more lights are placed. It was beautiful! It really gave that holiday spirit to Japan and I was happy to share that moment with my friends.
Another great moment was the Sayonara Party we had at my Seminar House (Dorm). First, one of the residents in my seminar house decided for us all to stand in a line, and shake hands with everyone in the house, even if you had never met the person before. It was touching, and a great way for me to say hello to the 4 or 5 people that always hide in their room. Then, our RAs rewarded all the residents who came to their kitchen cleaning duty (it was a tough job, but I wen to all of mine!). The next activity was a small talent show for anyone that wanted to entertain the other residents. The first performance was one of the RAs, Satoko. She sang a song in Japanese, and even with her voice being a little sore, she sounded amazing! The next performer sang as well-which caught me by surprise because of her strong English accent!
Our next performer was Yu-ki, who did a special Osaka stand up act (I'm probably wrong, but I think it's called manzai). The act is pretty much two comedians having a funny conversation without using any props ( except for a fan). Yu-Ki did it alone this time, and did a stand up of a monkey and a family that got into a car accident, which is actually funnier than it seems.
A group of my friends and I decided to do a small comedy performance (of course). We learned the dance to a popular J-Pop (Japanese Pop) group called E-Girls on the song "Follow Me." It was fun, and hilarious. I am sad to say I will forever know this song AND dance...
I also decided to share some of my exciting footage of my trip in Tokyo. Tokyo was such an amazing place to go again in my life, because I was able to experience it as an older man. Their holiday lights and treats (delicious snowman doughnut!) were what made me homesick, and yet so welcomed.
Another pretty fun event happened in one of the nights before I left the Seminar House. Just when I thought not leaving early was punishment (it was very sad seeing all my friends off!) one day EVERYONE decides to bake desserts!!! It was amazing: cookies, brownies, a cake... unbelievable people I've encountered, seriously. When the last bit of people started baking, they turned it into a BAKE OFF. Luckily I was in the other room to get a look at the competition and even sample some of the treats. It was a nice moment to share with everyone in our last few days, and something I'll never forget.
Some of the other clips I put in show some of the great and life changing friends I've made over the course of four months. I never know when I'm going to see all of them, but the memories I shared with them will be with me for a lifetime.
I've had such a great time in Japan, and it's almost impossible not to be sad (if you can't tell how I look in the video). I can honestly say that my journey in Japan has changed the the way I see the world, and what I want to become of in the future of my life.
Words can never express how great it was to have met and experienced everything throughout these past four months in Japan. I've built friendships, a family, and most importantly a dream. Don't ever let anyone or anything hold you back from what you want to do in life. And most importantly never believe that something is impossible. In one of the saddest moments of my life "I chose to be happy," because I know I will return to this land. Thank you everyone I've ever met in Japan, I try not to break promises. We'll meet again.
And also, thank you for taking you time to watch my journey in Japan. I hope I've encourage someone who's ever had the thought of studying abroad to do so. Follow your dreams.
Benjamin A. Gilman Award International Scholarship:
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The University of South Florida Education Abroad
(this site has a list of programs for USF students, and a tab for Scholarships and Funding):
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Song:
Rihanna. "Diamonds." Unapologetic. Def Jam Records, 2012
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of the music played, it was only for entertainment purposes.
