Aishiteru Nippon :3

Sometimes, there are those moments that are so great you just can't satisfy yourself by expressing them in 140 characters or less. Moments that make me appreciate just how liberating writing in Blogger is. Moments like my trip to Japan.

I've been pretty quiet on the blogging front lately haven't I? I'd apologize for my disappearance but since there are no readers that are actually following these little tidbits of my life, then I think I'll suffice with my own self-apology. Sorry self. There.

So, Japan. The land of falling cherry blossoms, of leaves in their radiantly full 'koyo' phase, of schoolkids with bouncing square backpacks, of raw fish and vegetables as daily morsels, of chillingly cold beauty, and of warm bonds newly formed..

It was here that I saw for the first time rows of Edo-style houses more elegantly constructed than I had ever dreamed of. It was here that I realized just how bland real Japanese food tasted, although the health factor was far beyond what I'd expected. And it was here that I forged the bonds of an unexpectedly strong friendship with 9 other amazing people from 3 different countries (this last part is my favorite). I miss all of our laughter and tense negotiations, snide remarks and witty jokes, taking photographs with the widest smiles our mouths could manage and our two forefingers raised in the 'peace' sign, symbolizing our team number.

And then there's the Indonesian delegation. Probably the rowdiest group of kids I've ever had the immense pleasure of knowing. 24 of the most insane picture loving, boisterous, kind, incredibly smart, and immensely loving people all gathered under one banner. Not a night ever went by without our coming together to practice for our farewell party performance. Tiring of course, considering our extremely tight schedules during the day, and yet even with all this I never really felt tired being among them. Yanti, Male, Brata, Ka Wiwid, Caca, Erwan, Yusuf, Iam, Rista, Ema, Inas, Shila, Fiska, Zahra, Ojan, Haykal, Ibnu, Arry, Irma, Ully, Ange, Ncan, and Mba Bunga, I really really hope we can meet again someday, all 25 of us :)

I came to Japan leaving my family, yet I returned with two new families :)

I really don't know how I can thank God enough for this incredible opportunity that I've been given. For all of the incredible opportunities I've been allowed to enjoy in the past. All I know is that I'll never give up, InsyaAllah, in trying to repay God's grace to me in this world :)