April 3, 2008 was the day of the exchange student welcome party. I woke up and went about what is slowly, and reassuringly becoming my morning ritual. I make my bed, organize my things and go downstairs to have breakfast with my okaasan. After showering and getting ready for the day, I left roughly 5 hours before the party was scheduled because I had to take care of some business on campus. I had to set up my computer account with the school that day. While doing this I met two girls from California who seem to be really cool (if at some point they are reading this because a friendship has developed between the three of us, hey Holly and Alyssa!). When the time for the party was close I went to the building where it was being held and just sat outside for awhile. To my left, I heard 3 girls speaking in English. I walked over and introduced myself to them and we were all talking about why we had come to Sophia. There was a German girl, a Nepalese girl and a Japanese girl (sounds like the set up for some joke ne?). Now at some point an Indian (who I later found out to be American) girl walked by. The German girl and Nepalese girl started muttering to each other. Apparently the Nepalese girl wanted to introduce herself but was too shy to do it, the German girl kept encouraging her to. So I asked if they wanted me to do talk to the girl. They didn't really give an answer but I did it anyway because I was bored. So I spoke with the Indian-American girl and introduced her to the German and Nepalese girl. Here's the kicker, behind my back the German girl goes "he's awkward isn't he". Yeah, I think that's a little messed up. Just because I like meeting new people I'm awkward? No, awkward is staring at a girl and saying that this was the third chance you've had to introduce yourself and not do it! Don't get me wrong, the German, Nepalese and Japanese girls were really nice, and I stand by that. However I just think its...particularly distasteful for them to say what they said, or at least within earshot. But the odds of me seeing them again are nil so life goes on. The party was interesting. I met up with Henry and a few people he knew from his Japanese dorm. Foreman and I spoke with a plethora of Japanese and American people at this party. Most of them were really cool. I also reintroduced myself to a couple of people who had helped Pat and myself during the cursed ticket/receipt affair. I thanked them and just "chewed the fat" as Holden Caulfield would say. However, just as I did with that Japanese girl I met at the start of my adventure, I forgot to get e-mail addresses for the people I had met. A shame too because most of the people I met I would love to travel the country with. We're all from such scattered parts of the U.S. and the world that it would be fascinating to hear their thoughts on life. But I guess there's always tomorrow (bad philosophy I know, but considering that I'm really attempting to meet everyone I can this trip I think I'll be ok).Going back to the German girl calling me awkward. I've been thinking of a way to explain this that will make sense to the average reader who does not know me personally. I consider myself a very outgoing person, but by the same token a very reserved person. With people I'm comfortable with, I love having crazy adventures. But it is very hard for me to meet new people. I don't think that I'm a bad or overly weird person. I like things ranging from watching anime to playing sports. So, like Ferris Bueller I try to transcend social groups. But I AM a self conscious and shy person. So getting courage to speak to new people is not easy for me. As such, I consider friendship a very strong bond (however diluted the concept of friendship has become in this facebook world). So when I make friends it is similar to using a sniper rifle. You see, a sniper rifle is a weapon meant to shoot accurately for an immediate and strong kill. This is how it was for me for most of my life. I choose my true friends very carefully, and once I have you I'm fiercely loyal to you until the end. I don't care if I haven't seen you in months or years, if you are my friend you will always be (unless you really mess up, but that's yet to happen). As such, I'll do almost anything to protect and help my friends. However here in Japan I've decided that, in keeping with my "go big or go home" policy, I would attempt a different friend making philosophy. Here, its more like I'm shooting a buckshot. A buckshot spreads far and wide and tries to hit as many things as possible. Sometimes it will miss but just as often it should hit true. Is this wrong of me? Is it wrong that I like meeting new people? If it is maybe I should sit in my room and only go to class. If that's the case I shouldn't have left America in the first place! So I say to you critics out there, yeah I may not always be as socially adept as some ripped frat guy, but damn it I'm trying! Feel free to comment and voice your opinions on this matter, and other issues raised by this post.
Gambatte
-DPN
Today's Japanese word is Tomodachi (pronounced: toe-moe-da-chi). Used as a noun. This word means friend. Use and translation: Anata wa watashi no tomodachi desu English: You are my friend.
For the reasons listed above, I chose this word for today's post. However I have an extra challenge for you. As you contemplate the use of the word in Japanese think about your concept of friend. Is it a term you tend to throw around to everyone you know? Has the term "friend" replaced the word acquaintance in American English?
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