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.
