As far as I am concerned, the best traditions are the personal ones, the quirky little holidays and habits that you observe by yourself, or, at most, with your near and dear family who understand the symbolism of the event. I sometimes wonder how many other people mark out time in this manner, or look forward to a certain time of year, the significance of which is meaningless to everyone else. One of the holidays I have I call “Going to Japan Day,” which I celebrated today by going to St. Marks and eating okonomiyaki lunch in the sunshine, and stopping at the river park on my bike home. Ten years ago to the day I landed at Narita and began my life as a high school exchange student, and again, six years ago on the same date I entered the country once again, this time to study at a Japanese University. I happily celebrate this day every year.
The decision to spend my last year of high school in a foreign country was a momentous one, and one that caused the path of my life to change irrevocably. Although I was 17 at the time, I consider this day to be the unofficial beginning of my life as an adult, my nest-leaving. As I was suddenly catapulted to independence, I found myself without all the things was accustomed to relying on, my family, my friends, even the ability to communicate properly. That first year was so hard, but simultaneously so satisfying, full of ups and downs. It made me stronger, as though my emotional state was a muscle, that, through regular exertion, became hard and strong. I met so many wonderful people and made so many memories, it is no wonder that to this day the exchange student experience continues to shape who I am, and the Japanese language continues to be a part of my every day life.
After my homecoming I entered NYU film school to study animation, and found myself surrounded by a community of fellow artists. I met my first darling boyfriend, Rym, who I live with to this day. When I came back to Japan, it was as a more mature, more competent individual who had found her calling. The term spent at Nagoya was one of the happiest that I can recall, living in my little room in the international dorms. I was so free and every day there was something to learn. All good things must come to an end, though, and my four years of college came to a successful conclusion. Luckily, I chanced upon a fortuitous opportunity that led to my swift employment 3D animator and modeler, and I have been working at that very same studio ever since. Like anything else, you have the requisite ups and downs, but all in all, I feel pretty satisfied with my current life. And, of course, whenever I am blue, there are always two little rabbits right there to cheer me up.
Now the era that began with my airport landing has reached a decade, and I wonder where I will go from here. I wonder what the next holiday I remember will be, and hope that not only will Japan, New York, and animation continue to be a part of my life but other things will start to add to the mix, changing and growing into a full and enjoyable life. May the future be a happy one for Rym and me and our bunny-boys.
My Holiday
