It's just about the time for me to go back the place where I was when I was NOBODY... My summer trip of this year is a sort of an Odyssay to review my life until now, especially when I started studying in the U.S., being apart from my family in Tokyo
アメリカを離れて２０年の節目の年に、懐かしい人々に会いに北カリフォルニアを旅しました。
東京（羽田）からサンフランシスコまでは９時間のフライト。
サンフランシスコからI-80→I-50を北上し、オレゴン州境までは、渋滞＆休憩も含めて８時間のドライブとなりましたが、忘れていた多くの事を思い出させてくれた素晴らしい旅になりました。
This year, my 20th anniversary of college graduation(!), I decided go back to my origin –where and when I was NOBODY. When I entered at a small junior college in the mountain area in Northern California and then moved down to the Bay Area to finish my bachelor degree at the CAL, I was just a lonely & poor student from an Asian country who was nobody, not knowing what to do and what I can be like in the future.
It has been two decades since I left California. Working 12-14 hours every day as a journalist at a daily newspaper in Japan, I never thought of taking a rest to look back my past and reminisce about good old days. Yet, I finally recognized the importance to appreciate people’s kindness – I wouldn’t be able to survive without many helps done by my dearest people, not only my family back home, but friends and teachers whom I met in California and even the people who happened to pass by when was lost directions. People were always nice to an Asian girl who came to the states alone and I really enjoyed living in the U.S. after I got many friends in the country.
However, it is also easy to forget those precious experiences. I became somehow arrogant – I was able to meet anybody, even the Prime Minister of my country or presidents/CEOs from major companies all over the world. Not because of me, but thanks to a business card printed with my newspaper name and my title as a staff writer enabled me to do so. But a silly girl like me may feel that I could do anything if I wish by myself. I thought I could organize and control things ahead of me… but time has come to know the reality.
Since the East Japan Great Earthquake and Tsunami on March 11 this year, things have been changed. Because of the damages caused by the quake/tsunami and the troubled nuclear power plants in Fukushima, our life and society were forced to change. People feel regret for having pursed everything they desired for convenience, by using sufficient amount of electricity while wasting many foods, clothes and daily necessaries.
And we finally recognized to appreciate the importance of having their most beloved people. All we need is to live with them while sharing cheers and sadness, even difficulties to overcome the heartbroken damages from the tragic natural disaster.
I, too, appreciate that all of my family were safe and totally fine after the quake. And I received many calls and e-mails from my friends, especially ones from California. I was encouraged by them a lot and got to know how much I relied on them when I was there as a lonely student from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. I remember their heart-warming kindness which enabled me to survive my challenging school days in California.
So, this year, I have to come to northern California to see these people who do care about me, instead of having vacation in Europe for my paintings. Besides, I couldn’t help but seeing the beautiful shape of the Mt. Shasta, a holly mountain in up north, near the Oregon border.
So, my journey starts from San Francisco this time. I will drive up north more than 600 km, or 6 hours drive, to go back to my origin.
==August 19, Friday==It has been two decades since I left California. Working 12-14 hours every day as a journalist at a daily newspaper in Japan, I never thought of taking a rest to look back my past and reminisce about good old days. Yet, I finally recognized the importance to appreciate people’s kindness – I wouldn’t be able to survive without many helps done by my dearest people, not only my family back home, but friends and teachers whom I met in California and even the people who happened to pass by when was lost directions. People were always nice to an Asian girl who came to the states alone and I really enjoyed living in the U.S. after I got many friends in the country.
However, it is also easy to forget those precious experiences. I became somehow arrogant – I was able to meet anybody, even the Prime Minister of my country or presidents/CEOs from major companies all over the world. Not because of me, but thanks to a business card printed with my newspaper name and my title as a staff writer enabled me to do so. But a silly girl like me may feel that I could do anything if I wish by myself. I thought I could organize and control things ahead of me… but time has come to know the reality.
Since the East Japan Great Earthquake and Tsunami on March 11 this year, things have been changed. Because of the damages caused by the quake/tsunami and the troubled nuclear power plants in Fukushima, our life and society were forced to change. People feel regret for having pursed everything they desired for convenience, by using sufficient amount of electricity while wasting many foods, clothes and daily necessaries.
And we finally recognized to appreciate the importance of having their most beloved people. All we need is to live with them while sharing cheers and sadness, even difficulties to overcome the heartbroken damages from the tragic natural disaster.
I, too, appreciate that all of my family were safe and totally fine after the quake. And I received many calls and e-mails from my friends, especially ones from California. I was encouraged by them a lot and got to know how much I relied on them when I was there as a lonely student from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. I remember their heart-warming kindness which enabled me to survive my challenging school days in California.
So, this year, I have to come to northern California to see these people who do care about me, instead of having vacation in Europe for my paintings. Besides, I couldn’t help but seeing the beautiful shape of the Mt. Shasta, a holly mountain in up north, near the Oregon border.
So, my journey starts from San Francisco this time. I will drive up north more than 600 km, or 6 hours drive, to go back to my origin.
24:05 Japan Airline 002 departing from Haneda
17:25 Arriving in San Francisco International Airport on time
17:45 Checking in Hilton San Francisco Union Square
20:00 Dinner with Ron and Amand at Kuleto’s Italian restaurant at the Villa Florence Hotel on Powell St.
17:25 Arriving in San Francisco International Airport on time
17:45 Checking in Hilton San Francisco Union Square
20:00 Dinner with Ron and Amand at Kuleto’s Italian restaurant at the Villa Florence Hotel on Powell St.
