oh september!

exactly 8 years ago, i set foot on japanese shores for the very first time. i can't believe it's been that long, it seemed like only yesterday...

looking back, i do recall shedding some tears on the plane and trying unsuccessfully to hide it from the other passengers as it finally dawned on me that "this is it!" i was filled with mixed emotions then: sadness, excitement, uncertainty, gratitude, and pride. i cried as i thought about the life i left behind - my family, friends and all the comforts of home. yet at the same time, i was filled with so much excitement thinking about my new life in a foreign land, and what the future has in store for me. expectedly though, i couldn't help but felt unsure and wary whether i made the right choice. but despite my doubts, i was overwhelmed with gratitude for the great opportunity that came my way. and lastly, i was so proud of myself for making that one, big, bold move to venture into the unknowns thus living my dream.