But, I am. And, today helped me (to my surprise) realize that.
I have Japanese friends who take the same business classes as me (lots, actually! x) ), but it is actually quite often to just hang out with them at any random time. Because of their part-time jobs and crazy class loads (my one friend is taking FIFTEEN classes.... o.o), we usually schedule things in advance. So, today's shopping trip was scheduled awhile ago, and I was so excited to get to hang with my friends. ^^
We were to go on a clothes-shopping adventure. And, it was an adventure indeed! We started at Sannomiya at 6, and basically walked all over - Ikuta Road area, toward Motomachi, down toward the Harbor, and then back up to Sannomiya and more shopping below the station, where we ended 3 hours later - at 9pm, when the stores closed! (I wish I could show a map, hahaha)
My adventure was with 3 ladies that (I just realized!) I had the pleasure of meeting from my very first school day of the semester, and who have also all become group-mates of mine in various classes.
Shiwori: This girl is so cute, you want to just give her a hug every time she smiles. I kid you not! ^^ I have restrained myself thus far, but it's been hard. x) I haven't worked with her for very much yet - our group (with Sachi, in our business and debate case study class) was just formed last week - but when we found out we were to be group members, she was was so cute and said she was 「めっちゃ嬉しい！」(truly happy) and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. ^-^
Yumi: She is my business law group, and is the reason I'm in their group. She was adorable during our very first class, and when we were to form groups, she asked me to join them. I couldn't be happier that she did. :) I've been able to watch her in an English play her drama team did, and we have the same little habit (though hers is much less frequent, of course - lol) of pulling out a book and writing down new phrases or words in it. ^^
Sachi: She is in the same group that I'm in with Yumi, another business class, and a TA in our business debate and case class. However, she is now part of my team in that class, and I'm very happy. ^^ Starting after a random night where we were able to get dinner together early on in the semester where we really connected, she has been the one who has organized dinners and days for us to meet up. She's just the sweetest thing, and I count myself a lucky girl indeed that somehow she decided that we should do many things together, and is actually making sure that happens - no matter how busy she is. Also, she pushes me so much in my Japanese, and I feel like every single time I spend time with her, I can tangibly feel a change in me for the better. :)
Anyways, I had the pleasure of spending my evening with these three. And, it was so much fun.
Yet... I have not a single photo (from when we were all together) to mark the night.
This... is a bit distressing to me, of course. Being the picture-fanatic that I am, of course I want pictures!
But, I had my camera with me the entire time. And, I was constantly thinking "I want to take a picture of that" and had the urge to grab my camera out of my bag many, many times.
Yet, I never did. What happened?
Well, this is what happened:
- We laughed over super funny Japanese-English everywhere
- I kept track of all the new words I was learning
- I got told by a super fast-talking and very "Kansai"-ish shop 店員 (clerk) that if we got married, we he could move to Hawaii to be with me (hilarious story, if you can't tell already xD)
- We talked about our futures
- We explored vintage clothing shops and I saw a side of the more "local" shopping that I definitely haven't seen even though I've been here over 2 months
- I was complimented on my Japanese improving majorly since I first came - and they would know, seeing as they all saw me when I was really here for only one week (which, while I am aware that it is not nearly as good as they make it out to be, does make me feel good that my work is paying off)
- We talked about boys! x) Yes, Kobe business school boys - I now know which of you are かっこいい and 持てるそう and such. Muahaha! ;)
- I worked really hard to concentrate and understand what was being said
- They had fun laughing at my reactions to Japanese fashion, and confession that I simply don't understand it
- I had an awesome conversation about my beliefs on relationships (in Japanese, which I consider a huge accomplishment because I also feel that I expressed and got across exactly what I feel, which is so very important to me)
- We looked for a Japanesey-outfit for me (successfully - yay! ^^)
- We surprised another 店員 when Sachi and I switched to English, and she couldn't get over how amazing Sachi was at English. x)
And, we just were 4 friends, shopping.♥ No camera brought extra attention. No camera (blatantly, anyways) gave away the fact that I wasn't Japanese-from-Japan (I think this was also a little harder to see today than normal, maybe because my outfit was a lot more Japanese-mitai than usual ^^). No camera made people stop what they were doing to pose, no camera changed the mood to "oh, I'm having my picture taken". And, no camera distracted me from the moment, or the natural-ness of it all.
It was... amazing. And, while yes, I might wish I had a few pictures in there to increase my happiness of this night, I also am completely satisfied.
Because, I had an amazing night. Made amazing memories. And, while a picture might be worth a thousand words? Well, I already have written much more than that much here (lol, typical Ashley-fashion). And, this will help me remember the perfect memory I have of tonight: uncluttered and the most natural experience in the world - shopping with my Japanese friends in Japan, speaking in Japanese, and just "being" Japanese.
And, we'll totally hang out again and take a million pictures then, of course. Hahaha. x) But, as the photo-crazy girl that I am, I am very grateful for this very important lesson I've learned.
Sometimes, pictures aren't needed for memories. Being fully and utterly in the moment can eclipse anything a camera could try to capture.
No comments:
Post a Comment