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Excerpts from an entry in my blog 7 years ago.
…I was thinking today a
lot about my life here in Japan. I just feel full of appreciation and
love for these people. I am treated with such respect and warmth here.
It is quite refreshing to walk on the streets and not come across any
rude people. Even teens don’t mumble, stare or ogle or cuss. Everyone
is just *nice*. To some people ‘nice’ might seem bland. But to me, nice
is good. They are self-controlled, kind, generous, and fun. (And no,
they are not perfect… there are a lot of things that are annoying too,
but I sure do love them!)
…And these are exciting times in the lives of some of my
Japanese friends. I am so happy for them! Every day I sit in here
talking to students and friends, almost all of them young women around
my age. I want to encourage them as much as possible. So many of them
give up on their dreams because they think they are not smart enough,
brave enough, young enough, old enough … whatever. I guess getting
people to quit their jobs might not be something to feel good about for
most people… but if they are not happy, I enjoy watching them quit and
decide to make changes or take some risks.
… Asking me not to saturate those around me with my passion for
other countries and cultures is like asking me not to breathe. I have
had such positive and stimulating experiences by living in, working in
and travelling through different countries, and tasting all these
beautiful cultures… I just long for my friends to experience the same.
Of course some are not interested at all, and it brings me no pleasure
to blather on to them. I need not try to inspire those that are not
hungry for it. But most of my friends, especially here, are those that
long to see and do and learn and grow… 04/16/2001
