“Life is like a box of chocolates, you will never know what you’ll get”. “Love comes from the most unexpected places.” These two sayings remind me of the love story of my friend who thought will never find someone to love and to love her, but when she came to Japan, her black and white love story came to life in a colorful surprise.
The Princess
My friend’s photo
My friend, let me call her Princess (as she is the princess of her own love story), was my closest buddy during my student life in Japan. We met on the first day when we came to Japan. We were under the same scholarship program, studied in the same university and lived in the same apartment building ( we lived next door to each other). Upon meeting her on the first day, I felt close to her right away even though we were totally strangers and came from different countries. She have this calming feature, very kind and calm appearance. She has long black hair and a natural tanned skin. A very simple thirty-year old lady. She is a high school teacher in her country, the youngest and the only daughter among three children. In her country, she told me that her routine was school and home, home and school and that she never had a boyfriend ever since. She focused her attention on her career and came to Japan to study for professional advancement. One time, she told me that she might not marry at all because she finds herself unattractive and no man will love her for real. …But she was definitely wrong.
The Prince
my friend’s photo
The Prince in this story, is a 27 year-old guy from the same country where my friend comes from. A scholar like us, he studied in the same university and also lived in the same apartment compound where we lived, but in a different building. This guy, like my friend, had never had a girlfriend ever before. He is tall and has a slim body type. He seldom talks and always have this shy look in his eyes. But when my friend gets in trouble, like that one time when she needed a laptop for our presentation, he was always there to help. Small things like how to use the (Japanese) washing machine, air conditioner, etc, he was always the hero. That’s how they get closer and closer.
How they met
Author’s photo
Our Kaikan (international students’ dormitory) was huge. There were seven buildings named A to G. About a hundred international students were housed in that dormitory. In our Kaikan, it was common for the residents (usually people from the same country) to get together and have cooking parties on weekends. It is hard when you live abroad by yourself and there are times you really get homesick so having friends around who speak your language and eat the same food is a great relief. That is how they first met. They never met in their own country but they met in Japan. It was an instant attraction like two searching souls who have finally found their mates. But it was hard at first, because both of them are kinda shy and no experience. But when love moves, it moves mountains. They started first as friends sharing experiences, to close friends helping each other and then after a few months, to first-time lovers.
The Present
My friend’s photo
To make the long story short, after a year and a half of studying and dating in Japan, they’re now both back in their country. They had finished their scholarships. They did not only get the educational advancement they came for in the first place in Japan but they also have found the love they’ve been waiting for. At present, they just celebrated their first wedding anniversary . the Princess and Prince living happily ever after.
April 14, 2016, Thursday evening, I was on our living room sitting on the floor playing with my laptop on the low center table. I was all alone that night since my husband was at his part-time work. I was updating my iPhone, surfing the net and chatting with some friends and my family online (multi-tasking lol), when suddenly at 9:26, I got an alarm on my phone. I looked at the message on the screen but it was written in Japanese. I was wondering what it was. I thought it was some kind of an error because I just got my phone that afternoon, a new replacement phone for my broken phone and I was still updating it. Before I could ever comprehend the message on the screen, I heard my phone saying “Jishin desu.” repeatedly and jishin, as far as my Japanese vocabulary can go, means an earthquake. Earthquake! I was like ‘What? Earthquake?’ What earthquake?’ What are you talking about? Is this new phone broken, too?’ But the events that followed stopped me from thinking what was going on and answered all the questions in my head. Just seconds after the alarm, the walls started shaking and that made me realize there was really an earthquake. Not a phone malfunction. The shaking got me panicking. I did not know what to do. At first, I thought that maybe it’s just an easy shake and it will stop right away, but, it didn’t. It kept going stronger. Scary thoughts were playing in my head. What if this is a strong one like the March 11th earthquake. What if the walls will break. What if the ceiling crushes down upon me. What if…what if..what if..I was scared. Then, I remembered our earthquake drill in school. We were told to “duck, cover and hold” during an earthquake. That instant, I covered my head, but with only my left hand since my right hand was holding the phone. That was crazy now that I think of it. I looked around to find a place to cover me but there was nothing I could fit myself into. The table in front of me was too low, only my legs could fit in there. I was not able to think of the table in the kitchen. That would be perfect! I was stuck on where I was sitting just covering my head with one hand. That moment that you want to do something better but time is faster than you could ever think and move.
After less than a minute, the shaking stopped. Thanks goodness, I thought. I messaged my husband and tried to call him but I couldn’t connect. I thought again that the new phone is broken, lol. But, it’s just that the phone network got crammed, that’s why. I was able to talk to him after several attempts and learned that he will be late because the trains has stopped operating for a while. I turned on the TV for updates. I gave updates to my family and friends telling them what’s going on. And the funny thing about it, was, even during the shaking, with my right hand holding the phone, I was still able to chat with my Filipina friends and family telling them there is an earthquake. It is kind of hilarious that even in a calamity, I am still “connected”. I also messaged my co-teachers living in my neighborhood who just moved to Japan from their countries checking on them if everything was alright. That made the chatting loooong, since many of them are not used to experiencing earthquakes in their homeland.
During a calamity, it is really scary. You could think that it is the end of the world. But, when it is over and you see that the damage around you is not really that much or nothing at all, the situation becomes funny. I laughed thinking of myself during the earthquake sitting on the floor with one hand on my head and the other one holding the phone messaging. A friend whose Japanese language ability is more or less than a beginner said that he thought the alarm was just a kind of cellphone virus and when it started shaking, he did not know what to do. Another friend said that she was just wearing an underwear and when it started shaking she grabbed her pajama and thought that she could never let herself die in an earthquake just wearing a panty. Lol! That really filled my stomach with air. One friend who was eating rice and bulad, a Filipino favorite dried fish, with just her hands, as we call it nagkinamot, said she accidentally swallowed the whole bulad when the shaking started. Poor bulad, I mean, poor friend. Lol. Two other friends sent us their picture hiding under the kitchen table which seems that they’re scared and laughing at the same time. It is hilarious, but no, it is serious. Especially at the epicenter.
The center of the earthquake is in Kumamoto. It was a 6.5 magnitude earthquake with a maximum of 7 according to news reports. It was only 4 in our area. There were about 103-106 aftershocks. I couldn’t sleep well that night because the aftershocks kept coming. Nine people have been confirmed dead, some even said 10. Hundreds of people are treated for injuries and thousands have evacuated for safety. The news in the morning the next day (which is today) made me really sad. Many people were on the streets wrapped in blankets gathered in open spaces for fear of after effects. Parents held their kids. A woman was interviewed and she cried while retelling her experience. News reports showed damaged houses and roads specifically in Mashiki Town. Even the Kumamoto Castle, the most famous castle in Kyushu, is not spared. A part of its huge walls crumbled to the ground. Its topmost roof is broken, too. It is a sad scene. It is a sad news.
And today, Friday, the earthquake that occurred last night is the talk of the town. It’s all over the TV news reports, my Facebook timeline , and News Agencies. Some say the “Big One” is coming. Scary. It reminds me that life is really unpredictable. We may live today, we may die tomorrow. Nobody knows. The world is ever-changing. Everything is. What is beautiful today may end up a wreck anytime beyond our comprehension.
Japan is such a wonderful country. Most of whom I know, Japanese and foreigners alike express their fondness of the many aspects of the country: its people, food, celebration and culture in general. Most of them, when they leave the country, they wish they could go back and experience again the many things that they like about Japan. For those who are not in Japan anymore or are planning to leave Japan soon, let’s see how many of these random things below will make you long to be back or stay longer.
Automatic toilet.
antalainen.wordpress.com
One of the many surprises (if not confusion) that a foreigner can experience in Japan is the automatic toilet. All you need to do is sit, relax and press the right button. Be careful which button to press though, otherwise you’ll end up in a mess or an emergency call.
On-time trains and buses.
japanvisitor.com
When it comes to transportation, I can say that Japan is world’s number one. Trains and buses are always on-time and are very reliable. The technology is so superb that in some areas, you can check in a monitor how many more stops away the bus is.
Food
princehotels.com
Wherever we go, wherever we are from, it’s normal to miss the food in the country we stayed. Japan is not an exemption. Japanese food is great and will surely make you crave for more when you leave. How can you not miss sushi, ramen, yakiniku, yakitori, onigiri, miso soup, and the list goes on.
Onsen.
lipstickalley.com
A great stress-reliever in Japanle is going to the onsen or hot springs. Japan is blessed with many natural hot springs and it is part of their customs to go to hot springs, all year round, most especially in winter. I like going to onsen and when I leave Japan, I always wish I could go back right away and soak myself in Japanese onsens.
Ofuro.
kabuchon.com
In Japan, all bathrooms have bathtub and the Japanese people take a bath (ofuro) at night. Bath time is a great bonding time for parents and kids when they do it together and it is a good time to relax when done alone. Well, in my country, we rarely have bathtubs in the house. We take a shower in the morning instead.
Nomikai.
sudy.co.hu
Nomikai means drinking party. Yes, we do have drinking parties in our country but the experience in Japan is different. The party is started with a message from the group leader. Then, everyone holds their glasses up and says the word ‘kampai”. And the drinking and talking goes on. I miss having my glass filled by my friends. In Japan drinking parties, one should fill each other’s glasses instead of just pouring your own, as what we are used to in our country.
Nomihoudai tabehoudai.
japanistas.com
Houdai means as much as you can, which translates nomihoudai as drink-all-you can and tabehoudai as eat-all—you can. I think, it’s only in Japan where you can eat really good food and drink assorted alcohol like there’s no tomorrow.
Sakura viewing
Author’s photo
When I think of Japan in spring, there’s no other thing that comes into my mind but sakura or cherry blossoms. People all over Japan celebrate the coming of spring by watching the bloom of this amazingly beautiful pinkish-white flower through an activity called hanami or sakura viewing.
Purikura
deviantart.com
Purikura is a booth where you take your pictures and edit them with different designs. With purikura, you can look like a celebrity. It is so much fun to do especially when done with your friends. The pictures are pocket-size. I did purikura once with my friend and I almost couldn’t believe that was me in the picture.
10. Fruit-picking
Author’s photo
One thing I always miss about Japan is the fruit-picking activity. Orange-picking, strawberry-picking, blue-berry picking, grape-picking. Fruit picking depends upon what season but usually it is in autumn and winter.
11. Konbini
supercheap.japan.com
Konbini or convenience stores are everywhere in Japan. There are lots of them but the big ones are Family Mart, Lawson, Mini-stop and 7-Eleven. These stores open 24-hours and sell a wide range of product more than enough to make our lives easy and convenient.
12.Anime and Manga
atelier801.com
The anime and manga enthusiast are sure to wish they’re in Japan to watch more anime and read more manga (comics) right here in the country where these originated. Although you can watch them in YouTube or buy the book online, there is nothing compared when you have it here, fresh and updated.
I know that there are still many things I haven’t mentioned here which makes people miss Japan when they leave the country. Some of you may be juggling thoughts in your mind recalling all those good things you have experienced in Japan when you were here. After all, those things are just a thought away. Feel free to remember and never forget. For if you keep thinking of those memories, those will never fade. Keep the memories in your heart.
It’s already September. The cold autumn breeze starts to kiss our sun-drenched skin in the long hot summer months. What a relief! Goodbye scorching (more…)
Being a Filipino living in Japan for a while, I have experienced how birthdays are being celebrated in a different manner in my homeland Philippines and in my current country, Japan. There are a number of differences worth noting, for the love of knowledge about cultural differences.
(Photo from en.wikipedia.org)
Celebrating birthdays, I bet, is universal. Whatever race we are, wherever we are born, it is a fact that a birth of a person calls for celebration. It is done every year to commemorate one’s existence and life on earth. Like in most countries, birthdays are also celebrated in Japan and the Philippines. How is it celebrated? That’s the question I will try to answer.
Most Celebrated Birthdays
In the Philippines, the most celebrated birthday of a child is the first birthday. Expect balloons and party hats, souvenirs and cake, food and music. And expect all your invited and uninvited neighbours to come and celebrate. When a girl turns eighteen and if the parents can afford, a Debut Party is to be expected. It is the grandest birthday celebration of a young woman.
The Debut is the Philippine’s traditional coming-of-age birthday celebration. For the woman, it is celebrated with the traditional 18 roses, 18 candles, 18 tokens, the debutante’s pretty gown in a wedding-like celebration. For the man, the coming-of-age is at the age of 21, but with less formal or no grand celebration at all. The next grand celebration is at the age of retirement, which is 60 (voluntary retirement) or 65 (compulsory retirement). Filipinos life span is shorter compared with the Japanese, so expect big celebrations at old age (70, 75, 80 so on).
In Japan, where uniformity is an important aspect of the society, birthdays are somewhat celebrated on a nationwide level. For children aged seven, five and three, families celebrate on a national festival called “Shichi-go-san”, which literally means seven-five-three. Girls of age three and seven and boys of age three and five are celebrated, and parents pray for their children’s good health and growth. Children are dressed in their traditional clothes – the very expensive and fine kimono, and parents take them to the shrine to pray. Shichigosan is nationally celebrated every 15th of November.
For the coming-of-age celebration, men and women aged twenty, gather in the city or town hall and celebrate “seijinnohi” or the Coming of Age Day. Women wear their finest and very expensive kimono called furisode with matching make-up, while men wear their finest suit or their traditional dress called hakama.
(Photo from minamishinshu.jp)
Simple or Grand?
In the Philippines, birthdays are big events. It is highly celebrated within the family and relatives and the circle of friends. Sometimes, weeks or even months before the big day, everyone looks forward and prepares for the big celebration. Of course, not every year is a big celebration. It depends on the individual family’s financial capacity. If you have the gold, celebrate like a star. But, if you just have a dime, settle for a simpler celebration. Rich or poor, may it be a hotel celebration with a hundred guests or pansit (noodles) celebration with the family, birthdays are hailed in the Philippines.
In Japan, birthday celebrations are usually celebrated in a simple manner. No extravagance, no big celebrations. Parents usually celebrate their kid’s birthday by simply preparing a small and family-exclusive party. Adults may go out with their intimate friends and celebrate.
Give or take?
One thing I observed about celebrating birthdays in Japan is that the celebrant is exempted to pay part of the bill. On my first birthday in Japan, my Japanese friend set up a dinner party with our other international friends and at the end she did not allow me to pay since it is my birthday. It is the complete opposite of my experience in the Philippines. When I celebrate my birthday, my friends and co-workers expect me to give them a treat. Take them out to a nice restaurant and pay for their meal or invite them in your house and prepare food for everybody to feast. In the Philippines, generally, the celebrant is the one who spends.
Feast or meal?
Big birthday celebration in the Philippines is like having a feast. Filipinos love to cook and eat and love to entertain guests. Expect lechon (whole roasted pig) on the table which everybody loves, and a lot more food, including pansit, lumpia and adobo. Not to mention the drinking session that will follow after. There are also games and karaoke singing.
