Stop. Look. Listen.: Forgetting the days...

A view of the river in Toshimaen at the Sakura Festival.

I have officially been in Japan for one week now.

The back of the Chapel on the campus of Meiji Gakuin Univ.

Now that everything seems to be settling into a routine, the days are going by so quickly. It seems that soon after I leave the dorm to head off to school, I am then returning to end my day and retire to my room. I am excited to be here in Japan, but I am also excited to return home to share these stories and adventures that I am having and am soon to have. I think that this is going to be a great experience and that this will play well into my schedule for next semester. I just hope that I am able to figure something out as to what I will be doing after graduation in December. Right now, I have no idea. Maybe the JET Program? Maybe something in the states?

It seems that every time I am faced with decisions like this, I choose the wrong one. Hopefully I choose something that I am happy with and that I can live with. It is my life after all.

My feet are tired from walking everywhere. I do so much walking. 15 minutes here. 20 there. It all adds up and at the end of the day, my legs feel it. It only makes me sleep better.

Sunset over Sakura in Ookayama.

Entering the Meiji Shrine outside of Harajuku.

Toshimaen Park Sakura Festival.

Today was my first full day on campus. I thought that we were going to be late this morning but, instead, we were about ten minutes ahead of schedule. We went right into taking the placement test. I feel as though I performed poorly. But then again, one of the students that has been here for a semester already said that I was taking the test with the group of individuals who were in either the #1 or #2 class. Honestly, I wouldn't mind being in the #2 or #3 class. I don't know if I could keep up with the higher level classes at this point.

Simply put, I want to learn. And if that means that I learn the best in a lower level course, then I can deal.

Everyday that I am here, I am more and more amazed at these people. The efficiency of Japanese society is amazing. From forming lines at the train station to the architectural design of skyscrapers, everything is done in the most efficient manner.

One thing that I have also noticed is that Japanese culture and society seems to be very segregated. From old to young and foreigner to native, Japanese recognize these differences and do not interfere with "the order of things." At times, I see the older generation and dislike the way that everything seems to be the same (or at least portrayed to be the same). There are no expressions. Everything is so stoic and formal. There is no diversity. There is no color.

And in the same breath, I appreciate the tradition. And it is because of this tradition and simpleness that I admire the older generation of Japan. I am one of the minority in the youth of this nation that do, in fact, admire them. So many times I have seen an elderly woman need an extended hand from a youth nearby and that hand is not given. So many times I have seen elderly men smile and wave to the small children and their parents just pass him by. No smile. No acknowledgment. Nothing but neglect. I find it so sad.

As much as I admire this beautiful city and kind people, I have a bitter taste in my mouth. Life is too fast here. There is no time for reminiscing. There is no time to wind down. There is no time to admire a falling cherry blossom. There is no time to watch the sun set over the Tokyo skyline. There is no time to enjoy. No time to love.

Walking around in Shibuya. Love and Cherry Blossoms.

I love all that this city has to offer, but I do not think that I could live in a city as fast as this. A city, yes. But not this fast. I would grow too old, too quickly. I am not ready for that.

The other day, I sat in the famous Starbucks in Shibuya and watched the bustling intersection, one minute full of bicycles, cars, and buses, the next minute full of pedestrians, rushing to work. As I was watching, I saw a couple. They were young and obviously in love. The look on their face spoke of their admiration for one another. They seemed so happy. It was the first couple that I had seen in Japan, actually. It was so lovely to see that kind of happiness. Especially in a society that doesn't always know how to show it. I feel the same way about America at times. I only wish that more people would express that kind of happiness, love, and commitment.

Cherry blossoms (Sakura) are everywhere. Beauty is all around Tokyo. And I am so happy that I have had the opportunity to see some of it. Enjoy the pictures! Email me if you have any requests for pictures or certain news.

Love. Peace. Happiness.

平和。