Arashiyama, Meditation Techniques, and a few weeks left in Japan
"Remember, these are entries from my journal from a year ago including my thoughts and feelings I want to add now."

11/9/2009

I went to Arashiyama to a Zen monastery for a field trip in my Zen Buddhism class. The town it was in was absolutely beautiful! The buildings out in the country side still posses the "traditional" theme that make a person feel like they've stepped back in time. There are people selling things outside on the streets and a beautiful mountain next the town. What's even more breath taking is the Kyoto River ( I think) up the main road. It has a really interesting walk over bridge that goes into a more of traditional style Japan.

I was fortunate and blessed to listen to an American Zen Buddhist monk talk about meditation. He taught us a technique on how to meditate. He brings up a good point that our minds are not designed to be completely silent. If you think "Be quiet, no thoughts" those are indeed thoughts going through one's mental space. He said that it's getting more difficult to filter out information since we live in an easier information accessible (sometimes involuntary thrown at us) society. Sometimes (and I agree) that this can overwhelm our "mental space."

The technique he taught was to sit down, cross-leg style (lotus style I believe), and count 1-10 without thinking of anything else. Breathe deep, Don't speed through it, just focus on each number. When I first did this, thoughts popped up like crazy. He said that you just let them go before they develop into more thoughts. He also said after some practice, you'll be able to let thoughts go as they start to "surface." Eventually though (after quite awhile), I was able to do what he said and got to 3 without a thought coming in.

It's a great technique to relax, focus, and let go.

Unfortunately I have about four weeks left and my feelings are about as mixed as vegis in a bowl of soup. I feel like I'm a tornado of emotion (still haven't got the meditation down yet, though I'm trying) on what I want to do. I've enjoyed my time here, making new lifelong friendships, learning Japanese, and discovering more about myself. One thing I've realized is that without my family, I wouldn't be at this point in my life.
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Himeji Castle, I was born in the wrong time period, and looking at the future
"Remember, these are entries from my journal from a year ago including my thoughts and feelings I want to add now."

10/20/2009

I went to Himeji castle with my friends. My friend's homestay family went with us and I'm pretty sure we were all glad about that. It was a good experience but it was really far away. We had to switch many trains and make quite a few stops. It's safe to say that I would have gotten lost because I am somewhat directionally challenged.

The castle was not rebuilt so it felt great to step into more "old" Japan. When I saw Arashiyama, Himeji Castle, and old parts of Kyoto, I felt as if I was born in the wrong time period. But then when I think back of what I've learned about those eras, there is no way I'd switch back if I could. It would be neat to visit though..

So Japanese is becoming very difficult for me. I know it takes time to learn but deciding on which particles to use can be so confusing. Just when I think I understand the reason of why I use に、で、or が, I learn a usage that seems to go against what I've learned. I need to keep in mind that I've only been studying for 2 months. I should look at the progress I've made from knowing absolutely nothing. Like I said before, I need to keep in mind that learning a language takes time, make small steps each day.

Since I've been at Kansai Gaidai, I've been thinking of my major and what I want to do with my life. I know I want to continue studying, learning, and practicing Japanese. Since UCM doesn't have Japanese, I've considered moving to another state once I complete my CIS degree so I can get another degree. I also want to go to Fall, River MA to visit the Portuguese community. My great grandma is from that town and I'd like to learn more about my Portuguese heritage. Someday I will. I have the family history that Uncle Dale has researched to start from.

These are ideas floating around in my mind, but I am not sure if I will do anything with them yet. I'm not sure what the next year holds. I may get accepted for an internship and go that route, or maybe I'll get involved in a relationship. I don't have a fear of working after college, I just want it to be something that engages me, not just something I do each day. I look forward to possibly developing a career in IT or whatever engages me. I put my trust in God to help me figure that out.

Will I study abroad again? I'm not sure but I know I want to. I hope to come back to Japan again before I graduate.
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Studying, Spa World, and learning a little about Portugal
"Remember, these are entries from my journal from a year ago including my thoughts and feelings I want to add now."

10/13/2009

This past weekend was filled with studying. So, after all our brains were fried, we decided to go to Spa World on Sunday. Alaina, Emma, Guilherme, and many other of our friends went, as well as Misaki and Tatsuya. The guy's floor was stylized with countries from Europe. It was my first time being to a spa like that. I've been to onsen before, but never a spa that large. It was very relaxing.

My friend Guilhereme and I talked a lot. He's from Portugal so I was really curious what Portugal was like, Portuguese culture, and anything else. He told me a lot about his university and later showed me pictures at the seminar house. He told me that if I come visit, I'll end up gaining weight because his family will cook so much. O_o!!! His university sounds really engaging! He told me what he does in his major (Computer Science with an emphasis in AI if I'm correct) and I thought that was really cool. We also discussed our futures, possible dreams, and what we want in life.

He taught me a phrase in Portuguese, "Hoje Um Grande Dia" which means "Today is a good day." (Sorry if I misspelled that)

This was one of the moments where I got to experience a everlasting memory in Japan that was not related with Japan at all. A friendship that I hope to keep for a lifetime.

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