October 2004
It was eleven years ago today that I, the most intelligent and mature 16 year old that I was, got into a terrible car accident on the way to a Friday night football game (Antioch vs. De La Salle - oh what a game that would've been!). Luckily, my two passengers, Karen and Linda (it was also Karen's birthday - nice gift, eh?) and I were not hurt in the least, but not so lucky was the motorcyclist that collided into me. Yes, he survived, but apparently suffered a lot. I don't recall at all what happened in the seconds before the accident, but I will always remember being scared to death that I caused so much pain in another person and that, if he were to die, I would never be able to forgive myself - esp since I was sure I would go to jail for the rest of my life. (I tended the think the worst at times during those teen years.) So, as I reflect back on that day now (as I usually do on this day every year) I am reminded how quickly our lives can completely change forever. Not that mine really did, as I continued to go on making mistakes and mishaps like any other 16 year old, but that day did have a huge impact on me and I hope I will never forget the lessons that I believe I learned as a result. Live each day to the fullest. Tell my loved ones how much I adore them on a regular basis. Have no regrets. And look very carefully before making left hand turns into Taco Bells where the cute high school boy you want to flirt with is working.
October 6, 2004
In case I haven't mentioned it lately, Mother Nature has got it in for Japan. This past week has included floods, typhoons, feirce winds, earthquakes, volcano eruptions and a buncha black bears running around the country. I have been lucky enough to experience all of the above except the volcano or the bears. And hopefully it'll stay that way. The flooding was the most interesting for me lately, as I've never really experienced that before. Barefoot businessmen had their pants rolled up to their knees as they drudged through the waters. I was driving from my other kindergarten back home during the flood. It's maybe a 10-15 km trip - usually takes me 30-35 minutes. It took me 3 and half hours.
Other than all that fun... the country had huge reason to celebrate (although it doesnt take much usually) - when Ichiro Suzuki broke the MLB hits record this week. We had been tracking his progress towards the goal very closely and it was really cool to see him do it. I experienced even further prove of my love and dedication to this country when I actually cried during the highlights of the big feat. I'm a sentimental sap, I know.
October 14, 2004
I have possibly made a very sad discovery. I went to Tokyo this past weekend to spend some good quality time with my dear friend Sonal and also to take a trip down drunkin-karaoke-memory lane with Hiroyuki, Emi and Jason and I realized something rather scary for me. I was overwhelmed by the city. I tell people all the time that I am a big city girl. I thrive off of it. That's why I feel the need to go to Nagoya on a fairly regular basis, from my little town of Tsu. But - this was weird - Tokyo made me feel so small. I think living in Tsu for the past eleven months (it was one year ago today that I came to visit Tsu for thefirst time!) has changed me. Ahhhh! Scary! Have I become a small town girl? Or maybe I am just getting old and the young crazy kids in the city are too much for me? Actually, I think part of it is that I like attention. In my community now, everyone knows me - I'm kinda like a local celebrity. (well, at least with the resident 2-6 year olds) And in the city, I blend in - there's even other foreigners there - oh my! I don't know what I am rambling about now... I still love the city (I mean, whats better than a Starbucks on every corner?) - I guess I just have a whole new appreciation for the country. I love my little Tsu.
