The road less traveled by
Nine years ago today, I landed at Narita Airport for the first time. I had no idea it was the first day of the rest of my life. I was originally supposed to be here for a year-long language program and then return to grad school in New York. Plans change!
congratulations
Twenty two years ago, I landed in the States with much the same expectation. Today, I have trouble imagining what my life would have been like, hadn’t I come here. And stayed.
Here’s to a future world where each person can find his/her place and be happy there.
I have a dream…
P.
caltechgirl, thanks!
Portia, that really is it. The place just suits my personality, maddening as it can be. (Or maybe it just suits my maddening personality. Anyway….) I’m very fortunate, because I certainly didn’t start studying Japanese in college with any intention of relocating here permanently.
The part that throws me sometimes, actually, isn’t the real number so much as the percentage. I’ll turn 33 in March, so I’m passed the point where I’d lived here for exactly one-quarter of my life. And Atsushi and I have been together just over 4.5 years, so soon we’ll have been a couple for more than half my time in Japan.