Fly, Fly Away- to Japan.

     Whenever, I see a plane, high in the sky, I can't help but stop and stare. To me, planes are ugly for the amount of pollution they cause. However, there is this absolute beauty to seeing an airplane or jet soar high in the sky.

      It symbolizes so much to me: freedom, ambition, fulfillment, hope, and change.

     My dreams, ever since I have been young, about 6 or 7 years of age, have always been to just fly away. I remember reading Sailor Moon, the manga. When times were hard, I often turned to Sailor Moon. Yes, she was a fictional character, but I was still amazed that she kept going on, no matter how bad things got.

 I didn't read this part of Sailor Moon until I was in 6th grade. But for years, I kept coming back to this part whenever I felt so weak in life. I have always wanted to go to Japan-- but at first it was only because of Sailor Moon. This later led me to study Japan more. I knew Sailor Moon, alone, should not have been my reason for going. I had fallen in love with the traditions and ways of Japan. The people there respect hard work, teach trades with so much respect, most people value their elders and learn from them, they appreciate arts in a unique way from the rest of the world, I just couldn't help but love it.

The love of art in Japan had won me over. I grew up wanting to be a Mangaka, to be able to inspire other people to be happy and love themselves no matter what. I wanted to be able to give happiness to the world, to help everyone, no matter what. I still want to do that through writing and story telling.

     Aside from the art, Japan is this unique place that still has areas that try to coincide with nature. There is so much to gain when going to Japan to see nature. I want to see the leaves from tall leaves depart in the fall. I want to go to the snowy mountains that are unforgiving in the winter time, and see the animals relax in the natural hot springs in the wilderness, I want to go to that beach that looks like a desert, I want to see that man made forest, I want to see Mt. Fuji and all that ancient architecture, I want to see that small neighborhood where the river passes through, where bridges seem infinite- Oh, to get a ride by a boat maiden there! I want to see the rows of Cherry blossom trees which lovers meet under in the spring time, I want to swim in the oceans of Japan in the summer. I want to see it all. I want to experience the tradition not belonging to me-- how I would love, just once, to wear a Kimono. Just to see fall, winter, spring, and summer. To see simple country life and live in the Tokyo nights.

    Sometimes, I am scared that I will not be happy when I arrive to Japan. Will it be enough for my thirst of life? If not, what will end this thirst? I often wonder. Will I find a part of myself in Japan?
  
   There is just so much I don't even know about myself-- I still have so much more to learn and to love. I can't ever settle-- for now. 

     I want to find my place in this world, to bring happiness and help whoever-- even if not appreciated. That doesn't matter the slightest.  I feel like, in traveling-- I will learn much more about the world and myself.

There are many other places I want to see. But let's leave it at Japan today. ^.^

-Send me to Japan, Life!