Japan in Autumn

In April this year, I'd have been to Japan twice now. Two vacations that resulted from unexpected events. My interest in anime and all things Japan were not exactly deep. But I did spend a fair amount of time gawking at 2D drawings and falling in love with 2D characters. In fact, it was only last year that I started liking dramas and such. When the opportunity came to visit a country where everything I've read about can be found, I had to take that chance. (Europe and America will have to wait, hahaha.)

What started as a mere pastime became a dream that turned into an obsession, and finally, a reality. I had always wanted to pursue a PhD but it wasn't an option at the time I graduated. Then, inspired by a Japanese TV show, I started looking up this university. Turns out there was a private scholarship open for application. The likelihood of me looking this up and watching that TV show was close to zero before last year. So I was convinced to some extent that something else was at work here.

I prayed about it and decided to apply for the scholarship and the university at the same time. I didn't get the scholarship but the university accepted me and nominated me for an even better scholarship! How could I not be convinced that this was something meant for me? And now... after months of waiting and filling of forms...

I'm going to Japan this September!

It'll be a different experience. Something very different for me. I'll be all on my own for the first time in my whole life. I don't know if I'll like it or if I can cope, but I know I'll enjoy every moment of it.

I've never been entirely on my own before. I've never gotten the opportunity and I regret never fighting for it. Now that I know I will be on my own, I can't say I'm not worried or anxious or scared out of my wits. But I know I want to do this. Perhaps this post is about me trying to convince myself I want to.

All I know though is that this is something I must do. I'll regret it if I don't.