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.