So here I am again, after a LONG time. I've had so much going on with me that just thinking about blogging all of it was scary! So this post may turn out either extremely long or stupidly short!!!
1. I did the Landmark Forum three weeks ago. It was a very different experience than what I had expected. And I learnt a lot, but don't feel "transformed" yet. They have their own language for describing their mission and what you'll accomplish after the forum and I can't really explain what it was, expect that it could help you become extraordinary. I still feel very much ordinary of course! I do recommend you check out the centers near you (they're in many places) and attend an introduction session if you can.
2. I went to Japan last week! It happened without much planning beforehand but turned out to be one of the most amazing trips I've ever had. Nazly and I went to see Kyoto and Tokyo which were two completely different aspects of Japan. Kyoto was a peaceful place full of old temples and parks, while Tokyo was a metropolis like I'd never seen before (and I've been to New York city). We even stayed in a temple while in Kyoto which was an amazing experience.
Japan must be literally the most developed place in the world... including both technology, and the people. They had the perfect combination of old (and I mean OLD) traditions and history, and high-tech stuff. People were extremely polite, kind and helpful. We were amazed how many of them could understand the basic English words to understand us, even very old people. Strangers in the street would go out of their way to help you get to your destination. and everything was spotless and extra-clean. city streets were amazing, especially when you noticed the fact that there were no garbage cans in the street which meant you had to carry your garbage in your bag until you got home! every single person had a colorful cell phone with accessories hanging from it. I saw women as old as my grandmother texting in the subway! In general, I was shocked at how much more organized and efficient everything was compared to Canada (and the US, as far as I know). also, nothing felt fake, even the crazy Japanese fashion! Japan is like a different planet and Nazly and I concluded that: Japanese people are too good for this world! I know my respect for them has increased 100 times after seeing what they have accomplished in their country.
I can go on and on about how great Japan is, and still there would be more to say. So I just say this: save up your money and pick Japan for your next travel destination. you won't regret it.
Of course, we stayed in three different places in one week, and just moving our luggage without a cab was a major hassle. By the end of the trip I hated my suitcase, my camera case, my backpack, and even my fluffy jacket!
3. I turned 28 while in Japan! I didn't get a chance to feel sad or happy about it really. I wasn't sure when my actual birthday was because of the time difference so Nazly and I decided that it must have been somewhere around the time that a free park deer was eating our only map of Nara (a city near Kyoto)! no kidding! We were walking around admiring the beautiful animals and then decided we'd like some pictures of us with the deers. Of course we had no idea that they would find paper delicious, and this was how our map ended up as deer food. The coolest birthday memory ever, right?
Oh God, this is already too long, so I'll leave the Oscars out of it. there was nothing extraordinary about it anyway.
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