Two Birds Soaring on the Wind of Love

Life throws curve balls, and from each curve ball, one must determine how to swing. I was dealt a curve ball recently, as I didn't bargain to meet such an awesome person while living in Chicago. Please pause, now, to read the title of my blog: Ever Upward - A Quest for Daily Inspiration. How do you suppose I could find inspiration in leaving Chicago, and physically leaving someone whom I have fallen for so deeply? That's another curve ball at which I must determine how to swing. I have an understanding, though, from doing this before, that it's not as much of an ordeal as most make it to be.

On the same topic, let me inform you that until there is absolutely nothing left, I will fight to have the opportunity to love, and to love someone who is so beautiful and rare. I cannot measure such beauty in the physical things that I have been dealt, but rather the quality of the person with whom this beauty is associated. The quality of the character of this person is steps above others that I have known in the past. The quality of the person's heart, smile, laugh, and sense of humor shines like the sun. The quality of the person's embrace and kiss, warmth and passion for simple things in life is more than I believed could fit into one being.

The idea of not having the opportunity to watch you grow and nurture our love is tough to fathom. Still, I don't ponder such terrible ideas, as they're not in the cards. One question has lingered in my mind for a time: Why let go of something that is so good? There's no sense in doing that, but the concept of doing such a thing is the bane of so many people. It's a serious question worth serious consideration.

Two birds soaring on the wind of love.

Wake up and return to Earth, please. Life is not over.

がんばれ東北、がんばれ日本。私たちはために祈る。

On Friday, 11 March 2011 at approximately 14:46 Japan Standard Time, a magnitude 9.0Mw megathrust earthquake rocked the Northeast prefectures of Honshu (本州), the main island of Japan. Shortly thereafter, a large tsunami (津波) exceeding 10 meters in height crashed ashore along Japan's northeastern coast. Coastal sections of Sendai-shi (仙台市), a city in Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県) with a population exceeding 1 million, and surrounding areas, were completely devastated by the earthquake and inundated by ensuing tsunami. As it stands now, over 2,400 people have been confirmed dead in the main area of destruction, with numbers likely to exceed 10,000 at final count.

The images of fallen buildings and cars, boats, and other large objects being tossed about like toys are heartbreaking. After living in Japan for several months, the task of processing the extent of the devastation each day is surreal and taxing. Japan is the world's most prepared country for large earthquakes and destructive tsunamis. Advanced technology and strict building codes protect its citizens from these unpredictable disasters caused by our unforgiving, dynamic planet. The scenes of devastation flooding the visual airwaves these past few days have stirred fear worldwide in areas prone to large earthquakes.

The Pacific Northwest of the United States and adjacent southwest Canada are susceptible to earthquakes identical to the one that struck Japan on Friday. The aforementioned geographical region lies adjacent to a subduction zone; that is, a location where one tectonic plate is forced under another into Earth's mantle. The Cascadia subduction zone is a region where the Juan de Fuca plate is subducting under the North American plate at approximately 40 mm per year. This subduction zone threatens cities like Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, British Columbia, with earthquakes that can reach and exceed 9.0, as well as tsunamis comparable to the one witnessed in Japan. To the south of this region lies the San Andreas fault, a right-lateral strike-slip fault zone. While earthquakes are common in this region, is it not likely for a magnitude 9.0 earthquake to occur in association with its movement.

The issue across the Pacific Northwest is that, compared to Japan, it is highly unprepared for a destructive earthquake. Many old, unreinforced masonry buildings exist in abundance in major urban centers. They would collapse under the stresses imposed by a significant earthquake. Roadways and bridges would also likely crumble and fall. The Alaskan Way, of portion of which is a major viaduct in Seattle, Washington, would likely pancake in a large earthquake, flattening hundreds, if not thousands, of cars on its lower level. Large skyscrapers would likely sway back and forth, but remain upright. Low-lying areas near large bodies of water, like residential areas adjacent to the Puget Sound near Seattle and the Straight of Georgia near Vancouver, to name a couple, would likely be inundated by fast-flowing water. The scene over the past few days in Japan would likely be magnified with the occurrence of a similar event across the Pacific Northwest.

Please keep this in mind as you continue about your daily lives. Earthquakes of this magnitude occur on average once a year worldwide, but this does not mean that it cannot occur again within a 365 day time period, nor does it mean that it will occur again in the next couple of years. A consequence of living on a dynamic planet is that disasters like these do happen, and the best we can do is prepare and educated ourselves.

In the aftermath of this disaster, the generosity of humankind has once again proven outstanding. Search and rescue/recovery teams have assembled from at least fifty nations to aid in the relief efforts in Japan. The spirit of Japan has also stood salient in the face of tragedy. Strangers are helping one another by providing food, water, and other essentials to those living in the hardest-hit areas. Surprisingly (though I can understand this), looting and violence have been at a minimum, or perhaps non-existent. This is how I remember Japan - a nation that thrives off of kindness, honesty, and peace. Its remarkable that this remains true following a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and significant tsunami. This is a lesson to take home.

Please keep the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers this week and beyond as they continue to rebuild their lives. Donations can be made to legitimate agencies, like the American Red Cross or the Japanese Red Cross via Google.com, among others.

Finally, as you prepare to sleep this evening, think of the people that have been affected by this tragedy, and remember how fortunate you are.

がんばれ東北、がんばれ日本。私たちはために祈る。Ganbare Touhoku, Ganbare Nihon. Watashitachi wa tame ni inoru. Hang in there Northeast, hang in there Japan. We are praying for you.

A Path Less-Traveled

In recent months, I have questioned the paths in which I have taken and have viewed the future with a skeptical (albeit optimistic) eye. The sun has set on certain past goals of mine, and as one chapter ends, so a new chapter begins.

Please take a moment to view the photo above. This spectacular sunset was captured by my camera as it lit up the sky over the Puget Sound adjacent to downtown Seattle, Washington. We can leave it to nature to remind us that, by the memories of so many witnesses, a day gone by will not be forgotten. This goes for those moments of transition in life - the moments that afford us the opportunity to take a leap of faith and take a path less-traveled. If we ponder this notion for a moment, we'll realize that to reach this less-traveled path, we most likely had to travel a well-beaten path to get there.

I recall my days as an undergraduate to be structured by both well-beaten and less-traveled paths. The truth is, every time I stumbled upon a well-beaten path, I quickly returned to a less-traveled path. I always felt more comfortable doing things that nobody else dared to attempt. I wasn't trying to prove myself to anyone, but rather inspire others to take a less-traveled path and dare to attempt what they had believed they could only dream.

In these next few months, I will be making some significant decisions regarding my future. I ask you kindly to please follow me as I ponder the paths that stretch before me, and I ask you for your input on the decisions in which I will be making. I have already considered each path from multiple view points, but I hesitate at this moment to divulge any details regarding these paths, and the implications in which each holds for my future.

The great news is that this is a new adventure. I do not feel helpless; instead, I feel that this is a great opportunity to open many new doors. As the sun sets on one day, so the sun begins to rise on another. Life continues on, and I will embrace this notion.

I will continue ever upward, on a quest for daily inspiration.

Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Part V: Two Years Gone By

I sit at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, WA, writing this post and reflecting on the past two years of my life. It was two years ago today that I left Albany for Japan, where I would live for four months and undergo rapid mental and emotional growth. Seattle is located a little less than half-way between Albany and Osaka, determined by the shortest distance between those two cities. I am currently looking over the Puget Sound toward the Olympic Mountains, which are shrouded in a low, dense overcast. Beyond the Olympic Mountains lies the Pacific Ocean. My gaze is set toward Japan.

Some of the greatest memories I have from my time in Japan include the many travel opportunities I had. My first travel experience outside of the Kansai Region of Japan took me to Nagano, home of the 1998 Winter Olympics. There are so many details to be recalled from these experiences and others, but as I think more about it, I feel that certain details are better left secret to most, only to be shared with a few close friends and loved ones. Perhaps this is disappointing to some of you, but please understand that patience is a virtue, as the saying goes, and that the details will be shared in time.

The memories I possess of Kansai Gaidai, Hirakata, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Nagano, Nikko, and many more places will not fade from my memory. Like the sun, they will shine every day in my mind as permanently etched photos. As I ponder some of my life's greatest experiences, including my time in Japan, here's a question for you - which experiences do you consider life-changing? Try to recall the details, big and small, from these experiences. Try to draw strength and inspiration from your memories. Growth is coupled with experience. Please continue on your quest for daily inspiration and understand that with inspiration will come determination, with determination will come experience, and with experience will come growth.

From time to time, I will continue publishing posts about my experiences in Japan. At this moment, I would like to take time to share my experiences with loved ones. I'd like to draw inspiration from them and inspire them to achieve their greatest goals. It's from inspiration that we can undergo a transformation from great to magnificent.

One last thought - the sun is casting a dull glow over the city of Seattle through the climatologically-favored low winter overcast. The Puget Sound appears undisturbed to the west as the dense, southward-moving traffic races by on Interstate-5, directly below where I am seated. Great buildings with stoic statures reach skyward in every quadrant of my plane of vision. This is the scientist in me sitting calmly and quietly, observing the world turn and life move by out my window. As I sit, I ponder the stories that each passer-by has to share. It's a spectacular, humbling thought.

Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Part IV: Life in Harmony

Memores Acti Prudentes Furturi will, hereafter, possess a different tone. I will focus on experiences in which I believe influenced my growth as I studied in Japan. There is no better way to grow than to step out of one's familiar surroundings and assimilate new experiences in an unfamiliar environment. This stands as my primary motivation to share my stories with you.

New Friends, New City, New Life

I boarded a bus sitting adjacent to the main entrance of the Kansai International Airport terminal as the last rays of sunlight reached Osaka Bay. Already on-board were a number of sleepy students, each hailing from a different part of the United States. I recognized several faces as many of them had been on Northwest Airlines flight 69. Unsure of how to introduce myself, I sat quietly in a window seat on the left side of the bus.

With my eyelids heavy from sleep deprivation, I fought hard to focus on the conversations behind me. One girl introduced herself as Stephanie. She had traveled from Ohio, where she had studied International Studies and Japanese language. I hardly know Japanese. What will these people think of me? I was an Atmospheric Science major at a university in upstate New York, and prior to the summer of 2008, had not spoken a word of Japanese. In fact, it was during that summer that I had started teaching myself written and spoken Japanese. Perhaps it was risky to study in a country with such an unfamiliar language, but I never felt threatened or defeated by such risks. It was, after all, a great adventure and an opportune time for self-discovery.

I turned to face the crowd behind me. I began to introduce myself and was quickly embraced by warm welcomes. One male student named Rory, a Management Information Systems major, had traveled from Connecticut and was also new to the Japanese language. Emma, who had traveled from Kansas, was studying Pre-Veterinary Medicine and had previously taken one Japanese language course. Chelsey was another Connecticut-native who had been focusing on East-Asian Studies prior to traveling to Japan. Marcus came from New Orleans, where he majored in English at Tulane University. Finally, Skyler, a young woman from Kentucky, had decided to apply her background in East-Asian Studies by living and studying in Japan.

In an instant, my anxieties wore away. My comfort came in discovering our differences - something that so many fear. We were all in this journey together, and we would all help each other through our triumphs and tribulations.

The bus pulled away from the curb and drove across the access bridge that connected the airport to the mainland. I focused intently on my surroundings. The night sky, illuminated by millions of city lights, appeared to be on fire. We snaked through a maze of highway ramps before reaching the main highway. I noticed well-lit neighborhood streets and cozy homes tucked against the hillsides lining the bay. Outside the bus, everything seemed so quiet and still. Inside the bus, the only noise heard over the engine's hum was an occasional snore. I can't sleep! I'll miss everything!

I'll never forget the moment I first saw the Osaka skyline. Skyscrapers with hundreds of windows and red flashing lights stood in great contrast with the moonless night sky. A large, multi-colored Ferris wheel spun in the foreground. Despite the sleepy neighborhoods, the city was alive. What a humbling sight. It marked the the pinnacle of achievements by the people of Japan - the harmonious coexistence of nature, traditional culture, and modern-day life. During my time in Japan, I would come to realize that such harmony was significant in every facet of Japanese life.

I am home.

Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Interlude: Osaka Time Lapse Courtesy of Paul Hillier

Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Part III: Dreaming of the Osaka Sun

Friday, 23 January 2009 - As Northwest Airlines flight 69 continued to climb skyward, I turned my attention to the television monitor several rows forward of where I was seated. I noticed the planned flight route drawn out on the monitor. We were heading north-northwest toward Hudson Bay. I looked out the window and watched the high clouds streak by. The sky was clear but showed evidence of a sunset only a few hours away.

We continued northwestward, gliding through the skies over the western shore of Hudson Bay. Three hours down, eleven to go. The cabin was quiet as most passengers seized the opportunity to take a long nap. While most window shades were drawn, the shade attached to the window at my right remained open, affording me the chance to watch the sky transition from brilliant blue to yellow and orange. As the sun continued to set, a thin line of orange, red, and pink appeared on the horizon. Stars became visible as we continued our northwestward trajectory toward the northern Canadian provinces. My tired eyes could not stay open any longer, and as one of the flight attendants paced up and down the aisle next to me, I drifted to sleep.

I awoke to a jolt as the aircraft encountered some turbulence. A movie played on the forward monitor, and passengers on either side of me were sound asleep. A flight attendant wearing a dark blue uniform offered me some 緑茶 (ryoku-cha; green tea). I willingly accepted her offer and turned my gaze back to the window as she moved by. There was but a hint of daylight on the horizon as Northwest Airlines flight 69 traversed the skies of northern Alaska.

I decided to stand up and peer out the aft starboard exit on the right side of the aircraft. I noticed rugged, snow-covered mountains below. There was not a hint of life. What a beautiful planet. At what other time could I appreciate such beauty? I quietly returned to seat 54G and fastened my seatbelt. I looked at my watch. Eight hours down, six to go. I drifted back to sleep.

Saturday, 24 January 2009 - I awoke to brilliant sunshine peaking through the window to my right. Three hours had already passed, and it was an entirely different day as the aircraft had crossed the International Date Line. I stood up and made my way back to the window at the aft starboard exit. A thick overcast obscured the water below. I turned my attention to the forward monitor to note the position of the aircraft. We were over the Northwest Pacific, not far from the coast of Siberia's Kamchatka Peninsula. I returned to my seat and watched as the aircraft drew closer to 北海道 (Hokkaido). With a little over an hour left to go, I felt great excitement well up in my core. I'm almost there!

The aircraft began to descend through the broken clouds over the main island of 本州(Honshu). For the first time in hours, I caught site of land. I CAN SEE JAPAN! I could not wrap my mind around the thought of reaching the Sun Origin Country. The aircraft banked left as the flight attendants requested the return of all passengers to their assigned seats. I observed the rolling hills and mountains below, the tall power lines that stretched to seemingly nowhere, and the occasional small city that appeared in the middle of vast, open fields.

As Northwest Airlines flight 69 continued to descend, I noticed a large body of water lined with high-rise structures. I looked at the monitor and realized that I was seeing Osaka Bay and the cities of Kobe and Osaka. The sun reflected off the bay as the aircraft banked right and lined up with Kansai International Airport's runway 24L. I paid attention to the breaking waves in Osaka Bay as the engines roared and the aircraft briefly ascended. The Osaka Sun sat low on the horizon, shining its rays through the cabin windows and illuminating the interior of the aircraft. It appeared that all passengers had shifted their attention to the nearest windows as the aircraft gradually descended.

After a few bumps and jolts, the airport was visible. I held my breath as we glided over the runway 24L threshold. THUD - the aircraft touched down around 5:30pm local time, and with its spoilers deployed and engine thrust in reverse, slowed to a crawl. I looked out the window as my eyes filled with tears. I've made it.

Eight months ago, I had a dream that I would one day travel to this island nation. My dream drew closer to reality with each passing day as I fought hard to convince my family, friends, and professors that I could handle this journey. My dream is NOW a reality. What is the point of dreaming if one is not willing to take risks to transform his or her dreams into realities?

As I conclude this post, I am reliving the raw emotions that accompanied my arrival in Japan. I feel as if I am sitting on the aircraft as it is pulling into the gate. I feel as if my life in Japan is about to begin.

The next few posts will not go day-by-day, but rather will detail the many great experiences I had while studying at 関西外国語大学 and traveling in 日本国. To the audience, both domestic and international, thank you for your support. I would undoubtedly write this for myself regardless of viewership, but your commitment to reading my posts has made this experience incredibly fulfilling. I hope that my memories have inspired or will inspire you to dare to dream and strive to achieve.

夢 - Yume - Dream - Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.

Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Part II: Climbing Skyward

Friday, 23 January 2009 - The aircraft broke free of the overcast over upstate New York with still no sign of daylight on the horizon. Outside, only the strobe lights at the end of each wing were visible. Inside the aircraft, the Pratt & Whitney engines hummed loudly over the occasional conversation.

My eyes were very heavy, yet I could not sleep. The back of the aircraft was sparsely occupied, so I decided to move to seat 21E (a window seat) on the same side of the aircraft. I looked across the aisle and out the window. I noticed the first hints of daylight on the horizon behind the aircraft. As I turned my head to focus my gaze out of the window next to me, I noticed a few city lights below. My journey was already well underway as many upstate New York residents still slept.

As the sun continued to rise, I noticed the snow cover blanketing the frozen ground. There was Rochester. I see Buffalo. That must be Lake Erie, and that must be southern Ontario. I tried to pick out as many landmarks as possible to estimate the distance I had yet to travel. As I did so, I began to feel the aircraft descending through the broken clouds. Everything possessed a dull shade of grey. The engines began to vibrate as aircraft slowed and the pilots prepared to land.

I focused on the ground below as we flew over the snow-covered farm fields of southern Ontario and a frozen Lake Saint Clair (Lac Sainte-Claire). There is Downtown Detroit. The neighborhoods below looked so quiet and sleepy. Now and then, a car could be seen pulling out of a driveway. Interstate-94 was already jammed with rush hour traffic as the aircraft lined up with runway 21L in preparation to land. I noticed another aircraft lining up for a parallel runway, and both aircraft touched down at approximately the same time.

We pulled up to the gate around 7:15am, and as I deplaned, I remembered that I had a five hour layover. I walked through the waiting area and into the main part of the terminal, turning my head both left and right to peer down the seemingly endless terminal corridor. I remembered reading that Detroit's main terminal was the second-longest on the planet. The longest? The terminal at Kansai International Airport, my final destination. What a coincidence.

I found a McDonald's and decided to have breakfast. It had been years since I had a meal at a McDonald's restaurant. The young woman at the ticket counter - she was African American with a beautiful, calming smile and soothing voice - asked me where I was going. I told her that I was going to Japan, and that I'd be studying there for four months. Her reaction made me believe that she was more excited than I was. It was great to share such a moment of excitement with a total stranger, and I felt it was a shame to bid her farewell as I gathered my food and walked out of the restaurant.

I walked across the corridor and sat by a window that overlooked the main aircraft ramp. I was sitting in the middle of the terminal with a great view of all the aircraft activity. There were so many jet aircraft - large and small - with red tails and winglets, and the logo "NWA" painted in big black letters on both sides of each silver fuselage. I sat and watched the aircraft come and go, and wondered about the destination of each traveler. It was a great moment to observe and appreciate the planet on which we live.

I checked the flight information on a nearby monitor. My flight to Kansai International Airport was on time, and was to leave around 12:30pm. My watch told me it was shortly after 9:00am. I decided to walk the length of the terminal, which was over a mile long. At its far end, I stopped and sat down in a waiting area with black leather seats that were slightly better upholstered. I pulled out my lap top - the one on which I am writing this post - and began checking my emails. I emailed a few friends who were back in Albany and noticed that I had an email from a speaking partner to which I had been assigned. Her name was Sayuri - Lily in Japanese. What a beautiful name. Her email was warm and inviting.

After spending some time writing emails, I noticed that I still had two hours before I was to board my flight to 大阪 (Osaka). I looked up and to my left, and noticed a red train with a logo that read "NWA" in small white letters. I watched it travel from one end of the terminal to the other, and decided that I wanted to take a ride. It was approaching its terminus as I finished climbing the stairs. I stepped on the train with several business travelers as the wide doors swung open. I remember a young woman with short, highlighted hair and glasses with thin black frames. She was wearing a business suit and holding a suitcase in her right hand. She stepped off the train two stops before me and disappeared into an elevator. I thought about where she was going and realized that I'd likely never see her again. I appreciated this thought, for it was random chance that allowed us to briefly cross paths.

As the train reached its other terminus, I stepped off and into a glass elevator. I was the only one in the elevator as the doors closed. I took a moment to notice my surroundings. Domestic and foreign travelers, some traveling solo and others toting children, were moving at different paces, trying to locate the gates at which to board their next flights. I followed suit and found mine. My flight was parked at a gate adjacent to a flight bound for Nagoya. I gazed at the large Boeing 747-400 on the opposite side of the window. I found it humbling that the next fourteen hours of my life would be spent on this aircraft.

The gate agent began calling each zone for boarding. I grabbed my ticket and waited in line. I now seem to remember that this flight was registered as Northwest Airlines flight 69. As my zone was called for boarding, I walked through the gate and down the long jet bridge, following a sea of other passengers. I entered the aircraft through a door forward of the port (left) wing and walked toward the back of the aircraft to find my seat. I was assigned seat 54G, which was located on the inside of the right aisle of the aircraft. Fortunately, the seat to my left remained unoccupied, allowing for extra leg room.

I met two young Japanese women who were sitting in seats 54D and 54E. They were from 神戸 (Kobe), and were returning from a vacation in New York City. Across the aisle to my right, a man sat down next to the window. I recognized him; he had been on the flight from Albany. I turned to my carry-on luggage and reached for my phone. I texted my friends and wished them luck with the new semester - it was the last time they would receive a text message from me for four months.

I turned off my phone and stored it in my luggage as the cabin doors closed and the flight crew prepared for departure. Northwest Airlines flight 69 pushed back from the gate, ahead of its sister flight to Nagoya, shortly after 12:30pm on Friday, 23 January 2009. It began taxiing a few minutes later as a flight attend informed all passengers that our flight was to continue on to Taipei following our arrival in Osaka. Nearly ten minutes after push back, we met the runway 22L threshold. I looked out the window to my right and noticed an unusual paint scheme on a large aircraft parked at the North Terminal. I tried to catch a glimpse of its titles. After a few seconds, I was able to read the name of the airline - Royal Jordanian.

I continued to stare out the window to my right as Northwest Airlines flight 69 turned onto runway 22L and, with its engines roaring, accelerated down the runway. I watched as the scenery flashed by at an unusual angle only attributed to the g-forces associated with such a rapid acceleration. With a thump of the main landing gear and rattling of the airframe, the aircraft became airborne and gracefully climbed skyward. It banked gently to the right as it flew away from the airfield. I looked down and saw a snow-covered ground. I looked up and saw a beautiful, blue sky with widely scattered clouds. The sight was liberating in every sense of the word.

Goodbye USA. Hello Japan.

Memores Acti Prudentes Futuri - Part I: The Journey Begins

Sunday, 23 January 2011 will mark the two year anniversary of the day I physically embarked on my journey to Japan. As the date draws closer, I have found myself in deep thought over the great experiences I had in 日本国 (Nihon-koku or Nippon-koku, the official name for Japan). I have been told by some that my memories will fade, and that I should expect to lose track of my experiences as time progresses. Nonsense, I say! To the skeptics: I will be mindful of what has been done, aware of what will be. I will strive to record as much as possible from memory over the next week, so that each one of you will understand what I experienced in my time overseas. Each one of you will be able to live vicariously through memories of my life in 枚方市 (Hirakata-shi) and my studies at 関西外国語大学 (Kansai Gaikokugo Daigaku). You and I will be able to reflect on what has been done, and use these memories to develop what will be.

The Story Begins

Thursday, 22 January 2009 - I scrambled to fit as much as possible into two suitcases. Moving to the opposite side of the planet meant having to bring much of my life along with me. Excitement burned in my core and coursed through my veins as I made sure all of my paperwork was in order. The plethora of conflicting emotions I was feeling is difficult to describe, but I recall feeling both great excitement and incredible fear as I was about to travel over 7,000 miles (over 11,000 km) from home and reside in a foreign country for four months. I later came to realize that four months was but a hiccup in the course of life.

Friday, 23 January 2009 - I dressed the night before my departure - H&M jeans, white button-down shirt, black and grey-striped sweater vest from Express. I laid in bed, too excited to sleep and too worried that if I slept, I would oversleep. I spent the better part of my night on YouTube watching a variety of different videos, including the music video for "Single Ladies". At 1:09am, I sent an email to my program advisor, Danielle Leonard, regarding my excitement and anticipation for my upcoming life in Japan. Around 2:00am, I fell asleep with "Single Ladies" still playing in the background. At 3:00am, I awoke and jumped out of bed, grabbed my suitcases, and descended the stairs to meet my family.

At 3:45am, with the car packed up, my father, my mother and I pulled out of the driveway and made our way to Albany International Airport. We arrived shortly after 4:00am, meeting the morning rush of business travelers at the ticket counters. I was booked on Northwest Airlines (now Delta Air Lines), with flights from Albany International Airport (KALB) to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (KDTW), and from KDTW to Kansai International Airport (RJBB). Much to my disappointment, I have misplaced my flight tickets, and I cannot remember the flight numbers of each flight on which I was booked.

After checking in and receiving my boarding passes, Yujiro Tawara, Tomoya Kisabe, and Megumi Kidoguchi, my classmates from Japan, greeted me in front of the security line. Our picture is in the top-right corner of this post. We said our farewells and see you soons before I stepped into the security line and was cleared through the TSA security checkpoint. I waved to my parents and friends before making my way over to the A concourse, where my flight awaited. As I sat down in the dark brown, thinly upholstered leather chairs in front of gate A4, I texted my friends and parents, letting them know that I was about to board my first flight, that I loved them, and that I would see them soon. As my flight began boarding about 20 minutes before 6:00am, I grabbed my carry-on luggage and passed through the door of gate A4, walked down the jet bridge, and stepped onto the DC-9-40 aircraft that would carry me to Detroit.

I sat in seat 22C, on the starboard (right) side of the aircraft. Another man was sitting in seat 22E, leaving an empty seat between us. Across the aisle, a group of sales representatives from a Fuccillo car dealership spoke excitedly about their cruise to Mexico. I overheard them and began striking up a conversation. A woman in the group with short, blonde hair and a warm, welcoming smile asked me where I was going. "Japan", I stated. The whole group paused in awe, before remarking on the great experience that awaited my arrival.

At 6:05am, the Northwest Airlines DC-9-40 pushed back from gate A4 and began taxiing to runway 19 a few minutes later. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold, I looked back at the terminal where I had last seen my parents and friends. The Pratt & Whitney engines began to whine as it turned off of taxiway A (alpha) and accelerated down runway 19. There was no sign of daylight as it lifted off the runway and began its ascent over the sleepy suburbs of Albany. Streetlights dotted the landscape below, and I quickly glimpsed the University at Albany uptown campus as the aircraft banked right and broke into the overcast. The first leg of my journey, a mere one hour and five minutes in length, was underway.

Goodbye Albany.

Life's Many Inspirations - A Story of Struggle and Appreciation

It's no secret that life is not always easy. Struggle often precedes appreciation, and appreciation for everything that life offers is sometimes washed out by the struggles we endure. Perhaps I haven't stated the mission of this blog, but I think the title explains it well. The purpose of my writing is to draw inspiration out of daily life. Inspiration does not have to accompany significant, world-changing events; rather, the smallest details of life often inspire people to do better for themselves and others.

While I've always considered myself an optimist, it's not easy to find a silver lining in every dark cloud. My blogging days began in September 2008 as a means of chronicling my life in Japan. My goal was to remark on my significant experiences and subsequent growth. Above all else, I wanted to stay connected with my loved ones in upstate New York as I lived nearly 7,000 miles away. I hoped that my writing would inspire others to do what I was doing, and gather the strength and courage to step outside of their comfort zones and follow the road less traveled.

I am regretful to admit that, upon my return from Japan in May 2009, I lost a lot much of my inspiration. I recall experiencing reverse culture shock that knocked me off my feet. I remember reassimilating into my major of study and feeling that I had lost my focus and desire to move forward. My memories sound bad, but my life was not all bad. I remained as optimistic as possible and befriended many wonderful people following my return. I kept seeking new inspiration and remained confident that I would return to Japan (and Asia in general) in the future.

In the summer of 2010, one year after my return, I stumbled upon a rough and rocky road. I found myself in a demanding unpaid internship that required my presence at odd hours. To make a small income, I worked as a maintenance director at a decrepit community swimming pool, where I made minimum wage for my hard work that went unappreciated by my boss. I felt that I was floundering at a dead end.

In August 2010, I found myself rapidly transitioning between my summer routine and a demanding academic semester. With little time to catch my breath, I was quickly overwhelmed by more responsibilities than I had ever previously handled at one time. My energy quickly drained from my being, and with it went my happiness. I kept on top of my studies by sacrificing most of my time, but I came to realize that I was lacking in most other areas of my life. It was easy to fall into a pessimistic mindset - one that was very difficult to leave behind. I felt that my mental and emotional strength was non-existent.

On an evening in November, I revealed to my mother all of the struggles I was facing. It was during our discussion that I realized I had created my own nightmare by feeding on so much negativity. This was an epiphany - a turning point on this rough and rocky road. I felt, for the first time in months, inspired.

I began to draw inspiration from life's minor details as I pulled myself out of my pessimistic mindset. It was time, I realized, to return to my optimistic approach to life. It was time to embark on a quest for daily inspiration. I worked hard to improve my mindset and salvage the remainder of my semester. In fact, as I see it now, those several months of struggle were not wasteful, but rather a necessary evil for a period of rapid growth. For this, I am very appreciative.

Recently, I have drawn a great deal of inspiration from my loving partner. His approach to life and its many unforeseen hardships has demonstrated to me the importance of keeping a strong emotional core and remaining optimistic in all circumstances. While I've always understood this, it's sometimes easy to forget. I'm fortunate that I have such a person to look to and learn from. I've grown quite a bit in the time I've known him, and will undoubtedly continue to grow as I pay him my respect and admiration.

My writing will continue as I seek daily inspiration. I will reminisce about my life in Japan as nearly two years has passed since I left upstate New York for the Sun Origin Country. Thank you for paying attention to my views of life - your time is greatly appreciated. I'd love to hear your views as well, and above all, I hope that I can provide you, the reader, with some inspiration.

鼓舞 - Kobu - Inspiration, encouragement.

A Great Loss and A Positive Spin on Subsequent Hardships

Recently, a relative of mine lost a loved one to cancer. This came on the heels of many months of various medical treatments and unyielding hope for recovery. Instead, much like a fragile piece of glass knocked to the floor, everything shattered in an instant. The shock wave rippled through both my immediate and extended family. Everyone scrambled to lend a hand and give their support. For many, life had to be put on hold to secure a failing dam.

From this post, there are lessons to be learned and new perspective to be gained. Every cloud, no matter how ominous and grey, has a silver lining. My relative is reeling from her loss, which is further amplified by drama surrounding an estate. The hardships associated with this loss, coupled with said drama, are taking their toll. It's tough to watch a loved one deal with such a difficult situation. The best we can do as a family is give our collective love and support.

So, what lessons can be learned from this? It's tough to decide at first, but perhaps we can use situations like these to reaffirm the importance of family. This, after all, should come first and foremost. It is in family that one can find strength to overcome the toughest obstacles, the greatest hardships, and regain happiness.

As human beings, most of us are aware that life is very short. On a planet that is approximately 4.5 billion years old, a lifespan of one hundred years or less does not leave a mark with respect to time. What we choose to do while we're alive, however, can leave a lasting impact on small groups of people or a much larger population. Each of us is in control of our own lives. We can only control ourselves, and we can only decide for ourselves what type of impact(s) we'd like to have on this planet. No matter what we choose to do, however, not everything will come with ease.

During our most trying times, we should all strive to view the bigger picture - the grand scheme of life. Which paths brought us to our present position? What contributions have we made, and what contributions do we hope to make? Even with the hardships that we experience, are they really that bad? Surely they are not if, from every experience and every hardship, we are able to gain new perspective and learn more about the realities of life. It's important to grieve. This cannot be ignored with certain situations. It's also important to heal and grow, and from this, leave a lasting impact. That's the silver lining in this ominous, grey cloud.

Life is too short to wallow in misery and face defeat by unnecessary drama.

In Memoriam

We're here for you, and we love you very much. Please stay strong.

おみ籤

The title of this post, おみ籤 (Omikuji - literally "written oracle"), was decided after I spent the better part of the morning looking for my おみ籤 from my days in Japan. I have a photo of my おみ籤 posted at right.

For the proficient Japanese reader, you will be able to understand my good fortune after randomly choosing this おみ籤. For the non-proficient reader, allow me to briefly describe what is stated in writing. My fortune tells me that my life will continue to improve. It tells me that I should be honest, and it tells me to work hard and keep on top of my work.

The more separated I become from my days in Japan, the more I miss life in the sun origin country. In fact, Japan, and Asia in general, has a firm grip of my very being. It is without doubt that I will move back to Asia in the future, search for a job, and live there for perhaps a couple of years or more. This has been my dream, and it comes closer to reality each day. Much to the surprise of my classmates and professors, I am not afraid to live this dream. What is the point of dreaming unless you attempt to make each dream a reality?

What are your dreams? More importantly, are you willing to work at achieving these dreams, or are you afraid that your efforts will go in vain? By all means, for your sake and mine, do not give up on your dreams. Strive to achieve your dreams, no matter how big or small they are. If you really want to achieve your dreams, then you will find a way to achieve them. Years from now, as I continue to write these posts, I hope you will realize that I have achieved my dreams, and I hope that you will be motivated to do the same.

After all, dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.

I wonder where that おみ籤 went? I'll have to keep looking.

A Quick Thought

Earlier this afternoon, I was struggling to shovel the snowbanks left by the plows at the end of my driveway. As I was breaking up the snow with my shovel to make the job easier, a man and his son pulled up in a truck with attached plow and pushed the heavy snow out of the way.

Little, thoughtful acts like these greatly enhance life. To the man and his son - thank you for your help. It was greatly appreciated.

A Fresh Snow

Much to my surprise, the 2010-2011 winter season has been active in upstate New York. This is a change from the past few, inactive winter seasons. This morning, I awoke to a fresh snow covering the landscape. This marks the third significant snowfall since Christmas Day.

Above is a photo of the snowfall this morning, taken shortly before 10:00am. Take a look at the photo for a moment. Notice how everything is covered in a fresh, crisp blanket of white. Notice the stillness in the photo. Nothing is moving; it's as if the pause button has been hit on the remote control of life.

After growing up in upstate New York, I am used to seeing these winter scenes. There is nothing like a fresh snowfall to lift one's spirits. Nature has a way of casting beauty across the dullest landscapes. Nature also has a way of proving its supremacy. It is governed by universal laws of physics, which we cannot control. If that sounds intimidating, I want you to walk outside and notice the world around you. Whether or not a fresh blanket of snow covers the landscape, understand that it is nature, governed by these universal laws, that created the beauty surrounding you. Nature is the highest power to which we succumb. Do not fear nature; rather, learn to live in harmony with nature and give it due respect.

One more thought, before concluding - I ask you to take a look at the night sky on the next clear, starry night. Notice the stars above you. Think about the vast, turbulent universe that lies before you. Then think about the blue and green miracle planet on which we live. We've found our existence in a quiet corner of this universe. We're very fortunate. In this vast universe, other life forms likely exist in less fortunate locations. Embrace this and appreciate life! There is no time to lose.

Of Love and New Beginnings

It has been said time and again that the best things present themselves when least expected. I am a firm believer in this notion. Recently, I was surprised by a handsome man who crossed my path. He swept me off my feet and with him took hold of my heart. Quickly, we developed a strong bond that the greatest forces of the universe could not break. Just as quickly, we both realized what we had found in one another - great comfort in realizing our compatibility - something sought after by so many but achieved by very few.

I learned from my mother that, in order to develop and maintain a strong relationship, it is important to respect someone for his or her individuality and unique character traits. At first, I didn't understand what she implied by this advice. The first few romantic relationships I had were filled with desires to achieve the unachievable and become a reflection of what someone else was looking for. After many failed attempts to fit an unsuitable mold, I started to understand the implications of my mother's words.

When I met him, I was caught off guard by his big heart and beautiful emotional core. He was stunningly handsome. I quickly came to admire him for his strength, confidence, and beauty. I knew that I had found a rare gem, and that my life was quickly taking a great turn.

It was natural for us to develop a significant emotional bond. We felt a mutual, natural emotional connection. I quickly and naturally fell in love, and let it be know to him. He returned that love to me.

Yesterday, he left Bangkok for London, England. Today, he arrived safe and sound. Hours after his arrival, I heard from him, and felt a great deal of relief. It's a new beginning for the two of us, and we're both very excited to embark on this adventure together. We've discussed many aspects of our relationship, and we're both on the same page when it comes to what we're hoping to achieve together.

We are aware that we'll have to remain physically distant much of the time for a couple of years. What is a couple of years in the grand scheme of life? In this case, I will be 24 going on 25, instead of 22. He will be 27, instead of 24 going on 25. Think about this - the average male adult in the U.S. lives to be in his 70s. In Thailand, an average adult male lives until his mid 60s. If that is the case, we are comparing about two years to between 40 and 50 years. In 40 years, I will be 62. He will be 64. In 50 years, I will be 72, and he'll be 74. In the grand scheme of life, a couple of years is but a drop in the bucket, and for a man who possesses such confidence, strength, maturity, and beauty, two years is an easy wait.

Life throws curve balls when you least expect them. C'est la vie. Our plans might undergo some revisions, but one thing will not falter - my love for him. I've found a wonderful, beautiful human being, and am forever grateful. I am never alone, nor is he. We're in this together, and will move forward as both individuals and a unit. My strength, confidence, and love for him will hold firm.

Good night and good luck, as you begin your new adventure in London! I will always be with you.

Hisashiburi

The title says it all: it has been a while. A couple of years ago, a viewer commented on one of my posts. He told me that I was quite the writer, and that I should "keep writing, until the very end". Shortly thereafter, I took a nearly two-year-long hiatus. To the viewer - I regret my decision to have taken said hiatus. Now for good news - as of 1.11.11, I have returned to blogging, and would like to take a post to reflect on the past two years, and on life.

Since I last blogged nearly two years ago, a lot has changed. Several weeks ago, I reflected on the changes that took place in this short time span. I am an advocate for change, and would not be happy if change did not occur in my life, but for goodness sake, the past two years have brought a whirlwind of change.

As the new semester approaches, I am fully aware that my undergraduate career is near completion. Forty two months ago, I entered the University at Albany as an immature freshman. Forty two months later, as I peer back at the days of relentless partying, short-lived romances, and great exploration, it's hard to recognize the young man who once dreamed of a career in television meteorology, who held no interest in Asian culture, and who could not have foreseen his life as it stands on 1.11.11.

Aside - it's purely a coincidence that I write this post on such a famed date.

Since I always do this, let's put everything into perspective.

I was born on 22 October, 1988. This fell on a Saturday, and stood as the 296th day of the year 1988. Saturday, 22 October marked the end to the 42nd week of 1988. As of 1.11.11, I was born 22 years and 20 days ago, which can also be stated as 266 months and 20 days ago. More precisely, I was born 8,116 days ago, or 8,117 days ago if you include today's date. While my birth occurred shortly after midnight, for the sake of argument, I'll say I was born at midnight on 22 October, 1988. In that case, I was born 194,784 hours ago, which is equivalent to 11,687,040 minutes, or 701,222,400 seconds (all rounded to the nearest hour, minute, and second, respectively).

At this point, you might be rolling your eyes and considering clicking the "x" on the top right-hand corner of your browser. Before doing so, I challenge you to figure out your lifespan as of today's date, and reflect on the events, big and small, that brought you to this point. I challenge you to put your life into perspective. That's what this blog is about - placing a spotlight on life and developing new perspective. Growth is coupled with perspective, much like our atmosphere is coupled with the vast oceans that cover our planet. They don't work independent of one another, but rather together. Such is the coupling of love and happiness, two of the greatest elements of life one can achieve.

Enjoy each moment - aim for the stars - soar ever upward and embrace the open sky - you're on a lifelong journey.

親友よ

親友よ- Shinyuuyo - Best Friend

I've been thinking a great deal about my loved ones recently. It's apparent to me that the longer one spends away from his or her loved ones, the more he or she begins to realize the importance of these people. The more I spend time away from my friends and family, the more I think how unbearable it would be for me to not have these people exist in my life. Certainly you could argue about the "what if's," like "what if you hadn't met them in the first place?" or, "what if you went your own separate ways?" I would counter those arguments by stating that all of those what if's are legitimate possibilities, but not realities.

With four weeks remaining in Japan, time is flying and remaining stagnant at the same time. Some days go too fast, and some days seem to never end. With the thought of returning home in four weeks on my mind, I can't shake this wild mixture of emotions. With the thought of seeing my best friend, my 親友よ, again in three weeks, some days are excrutiating. It's being able to see it, and being able to reach out and almost touch it, but knowing that there are still 21 days standing in between points A and B, that make these excrutiating days seem like the hardest days I've ever lived.

In the thirteen weeks I've spent away from my family (家族), my friends (友達), and my best friend (親友よ), I have come to understand the importance of these people in my life. So, in this case, there are no "what if's," because this is reality. You, and you, and you, and you, too, are important. Thank you for standing by me this entire time. I am grateful for your presence right now in my life. It may be unclear right now, but in time, whatever sediment remains suspended, clouding up an otherwise clear view, will settle, and my love and gratitude will be realized to their fullest extents.

I'll take this for what it's worth and use all that crosses my criss-crossing paths to strengthen myself and grow. I love my family, I love my friends, and I love you, so much. I am a fortunate person.

旅- Tabi - Journey - As it is, the journey continues moving forward, onward and upward...

Solitary

In the course of a significant journey, it can be expected that there will be many legs that are traveled in solitude. For if this was not the case, then there would be no time to reflect upon the foundation of the journey: growth, experience, learning, acceptance, tolerance, and so on. What if, however, each leg traveled becomes more solitary, and each significant person seems to become more distant? How should one account for all of the conflicting emotions that arise?

I have decided that growth cannot be experienced without conflict, and at times, great conflict signifies a growth spurt. My conflict arises right now from the thought of my future, which is more or less terrifying to me. The thing that scares me most is returning home to significant change, which I am not sure I will be able to handle after experiencing a sensory overload, so to speak, while living in another country--another world.

In the past three months, I have watched from a great distance so many people undergo significant change. I am pleased to see this taking place, as change is one of the greatest essences of life. I have undergone a great deal of change as well, particularly within my own personal realm. It comes at the thought of all of this change that I wish I could have remained with all of you to experience it. It is a frightening prospect to think that I do not know what I will return to in five weeks. I am struggling with this right now, because for the first time I get to view it from this side of the glass. I find this to be a solitary conflict right now.

I am not sad, as I understand that I am in the middle of growth. I feel that in five weeks time, my view on this subject will have changed considerably. I need you all to remain with me right now, through the rest of this journey, and beyond. Please don't doubt my strength and love.

Now the home-stretch begins. In five weeks, this experience will wash up on shore and dry up, but the memories will never fade, and the lessons learned will never disappear. Knowing full-well to make each passing day count, let's continue to aim onward and upward. Life is a two-way street, so let's continue to keep it flowing both ways.

As the journey draws closer to the end, so a new journey begins.

桜

...And with great expectations, I faced a new day and felt the wonderful sensations of living. Was it ironic that on this day, the sky turned grey and the city of Osaka was ensconced by a torrent of rain? Perhaps the answer lay in the 桜 that traversed the landscape and stole attention from every perceivable corner of the mind.

Is it ironic that beauty is enhanced by gloom? Today, the 桜 was the sunshine that warmed the earth. It softened the harsh chill that gripped every inch of flesh and bone.

It was the guardian of inconceivable wisdom.

I let the 桜 take hold of my spirit. I'll be damned if it ever lets go.

We enter into a new chapter of this journey. Let it continue to flow down an undetermined course into an unforeseeable future. Gather wisdom from its path, and stand with pride in times of shame and sorrow, humility in times of great achievement, and honor each and every day.

We'll grow and love.

With love in my heart, my journey continues on...

三月

じゃあ、ごめんなさい。三月、僕は忙しい人でした。四月、僕は暇です。元気な人ですよ。

March was a busy month for me. In addition to midterms rounding out the month, and traveling to 長野 and 広島 at the beginning, there was 春休み and various other expeditions to contend with. March was a month of growth. March was a month of adventure. March was a month to enjoy the company of friends, and March was a month of loneliness. At times, it seemed like it was flashing by, and at times it seemed like it was moving at a snail's pace. I look forward to seeing what April will bring. At the very least, I am hoping for warm, sunny days ahead.

春休みはよっかたですよ。東京に行って、日光に行きました。東京は迚も大きいでした、でも日光は奇麗でした！！There were so many sights in Nikko that I wished I could bring back home, as I was humbled by everything that surrounded me. Nature did not miss a beat with natural beauty. I particularly enjoyed the sight of large mountains sloping down into a beautiful, blue lake. Countless waterfalls rushed down every mountainside. I could have jumped into a fast-flowing stream and followed it all the way to the great Pacific Ocean.

In Tokyo, I was awed by the nighttime view atop Tokyo Tower (東京タワー). Never had I seen such a vast, sprawling display of lights and roads, twisting and turning in every direction, reaching beyond the horizon. How could an inspring display of man and an inspiring display of nature coexist? That is what I thought. How could they be located within such close proximity (within 75 miles) of one another? That, too, is what I thought.

And how, in the span of four weeks time, had I done so much? How had I traversed so much of 日本? I'll leave all of that for you to decide.

It's the home-stretch now. Ten down, seven to go. What possibilities exist for the future?

April promises to be good. April promises to flash by and move at a snail's pace. Let's ride the wings of April and see where we can go.

Let's continue this journey together, ne? We've only grown stronger.

The journey continues on...