"Work with what’s been given
-aarthans"
-aarthans"
taeyeoni love taeng’s current hair color~ *rushes to dye her hair*
My First Trip Abroad
Who would have known that one’s first trip abroad would be by an exchange student program? Definitely not any usual person. You may have been told by your parents to study hard and strive to finish your studies so that in the future, perhaps you can go abroad by your own well-earned money. The so-called “rich kids”, on the other hand, get to go abroad through vacations and leisure trips with their families.
The first step to my unusual trip abroad- to Japan in particular, was to submit an awfully strange letter about why I would want to study there and my perspectives and thoughts on the country. After an intimidating interview with a strict panel of teachers who questioned regarding bizarre things such as crossing the street and riding a bicycle while using an umbrella, I got accepted. I was oh so happy then.
When the euphoria caused by having been accepted as an exchange student subsided, then came the crappy requirements and things we couldn’t go without doing. Lucky I was still alive after having three consecutive blood tests for the medical examination. We were even tested for AIDS. Acquiring and submitting needed documents also required me to make immediate and untimely travels. All of these paid off however, when THE DAY came.
It was May 12, a Monday. Who knew that on that Monday was a life-changing experience?
From the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I boarded Japan Airlines Flight JL 746 together with my two other companions, both of whom are my friends and fellow exchange students. The plane ride turned out quite fun probably because I was with two friends whom I am at ease being with. The three of us fancied the stewardess who patrolled our seat rows and handed beverages, so we agreed on each of us having the isle seat for an hour in order to get direct contact with the pretty miss. Kids we were then.
Clean, green, modern, and COLD! We entered a 14.5°C-cold Japan: the coldest air temperature ever to touch my Filipino skin. From then on, we became subjects to Japanese hospitality and kindness. They were such good people: modest, kind, and respectful. The Japanese hold strict abidance to the law and careful observance of values expected of them.
I and my two friends learned little by little the very famed language of Japan. We learned and got used to call Japan as Nihon, the language as Nihongo. We outshined the exchange students from other countries in Japanese proficiency. At the same time, ingenious and modern agricultural techniques were taught to us at Japanese schools as a part of the exchange program. We realized how Japan has gone so far in upbringing agriculture and how the Japanese value the agricultural sector very much.
Striving yet enjoying, Japanese customs which were once hostile and unusual to us became natural and easy. We became close and attached to our own host families who were ever so patient and loving. The three of us made friends in each of our respective schools. Envied by Japanese fans worldwide, we got to wear and take home genuine Japanese high school uniforms. We also did things which not many have the chance to do. We skied on snow, drove tractors, went to Disneyland and Disney Sea, and rode the bullet train.
So much had my first trip abroad given me. A once-in-a-lifetime experience which molded me to be a new person. A better person. It made me more aware of things outside my home country. It blessed me with many new friends and acquaintances, of people who may someday lend a helping hand. Full of regret and a desire to stay longer, I and my two friends left Japan, teary-eyed, but as more matured and more knowledgeable individuals.
I shall post pictures on my next blogs. So please wait for that. :D
Find me at:
I ain’t Japanese. I’m Filipino. ^^
A devastating scene from one of many areas affected by the flood caused by tropical storm Ketsana. Metropolitan Manila and its neighboring regions experienced floods caused by a month’s worth of rainfall pouring in just six hours.
If I had continued my way to Manila that day, I may have been one of those people struggling in that photograph.
Nicely shot though. ^^
初めに。。
‘Hajime ni..’ is the title of my first blog post here at tumblr. It means ‘firstly’ or ‘to begin’ and is a very common japanese phrase.
It has been a long time since I last attempted on a making a blog. Note: ‘attempted’. I have had a lot of trials on blog-making sites prevalent on the internet. Some of them turned out to be too limited and inadequate for my blogging needs. Not that I’ve blogged that much, but as a mode of expression and sharing, I think that blog-sites should at least be complete yet simple, feature-packed yet convenient to use and easily accessible yet secured. As I have said, I have tried many but have not been satisfied. Thus, I come to this site.
Like in choosing a restaurant to eat in, the number of costumers or shall we say users is one factor in choosing or deciding to join a site. One would hesitate joining a site with no one of his friends or acquaintances being a member of it. Yes, you could share and express yourself to any other random people out there but it’s only half of the fun of having your real friends as members. Thankfully, some of my friends and classmates use tumblr. That means I get to enjoy the whole part of fun this site offers, hopefully.
I do hope that I find more of my friends and a lot of other interesting people here in tumblr. Although I may not have much the talent of a writer, believe me or not, I write sensible things. You only need a dab of common sense in you. If you have not any, sorry if I may not provide you. ^^
Hajime ni, is a brief overview of myself.
I am 16 years old, is single, and is still a high school student.
I have interests in everything related to Japan like anime, drama and culture. I also like photography (my hobby) and calligraphy.
I like telling and listening to stories. I like joyrides and strolls. I like traveling and exploring.
I love food and friends. I love Friday night getaways. I like school wash days.
And I really like it when the teacher’s out. \m/ It’s always a signal to party!
Ijou. Done.
There. My first tumblr blog post. I’d like to end it with a photo I took in Japan, enjoy:
aarthans
Find me at:
I ain’t Japanese. I’m Filipino. ^^
