The Top 5 Moments in Japan

Sitting in The Dark Room - a cool local rock bar with two of my bestest friends, Chihiro and Roger, on the eve of my 33rd birthday, I was asked to name the top 5 moments in Japan. I suddenly reflected on my students with the same question being asked by me without warning in class. It's overwhelming at first but luckily, I got to answer it with my adopted native language. So albeit it took a little warming up, it came out quite naturally.

5.
I am grateful and elated by all the people who had traveled far to visit me last year - Tom and Osamu from Tokyo, Vickie from San Francisco, Camilla from Copenhagen, Joe from Santa Barbara. I had a wonderful time and created some really precious memories with all of them. They had really made my first year special.

4.
The beautiful and breathetaking places I got to visit in Japan. Kyoto, Kumamoto, Itoshima, Iki, Okinawa to name a few. I am most grateful for the opportunities and ability to travel.

3.
The sense of safety and cleaniness wherever I go. I never hesitated on walking home at 2am other than the fact that I was too tired or drunk. And I have not yet encountered a bathroom so digusting that I couldn't go.

2.
The ongoing learning experiences. There are so much to do and see in Japan. So many hobbies to cultivate and so much information to consume. Only if I can be more selective and if I ever have the time to do them all!

1.
My friends in Japan. If I ever have to count my blessings, I will count each friend I made here. From traveling, eating, chatting over coffee, learning Japanese, exchanging languages and cultures, work talks, girl talks, boy talks, parties, drinking, clubbing - they have enhanced every aspect of my life here. And they share so many important moments with me as well.

I feel very very lucky!!