year one | year two | year three
when i first arrived in japan two years ago, i mailed a letter to myself. it said, congratulations. you fucking made it to tomorrow. yesterday was ROUGH eh? no matter how prepared you thought you were, no one prepared you for this. i dont know how you do it really but ALAS, WE PERSEVERE. you can and you will do the thing. i’m counting on you to reach your goals. we fucking need this and you wanted it so let’s get it. the bread awaits. everything you came to find is just ahead.
im actually not certain what i was looking for when i came here but i sure found a lot. ive elected to omit all negative findings as they often exceed the threshold of logic, even shocking locals when i tell them about the insane shit ive been through in this country but feel free to inquire for the latest.
amongst the many things that i’ve found in japan, here’s 12:
- an appreciation for the wisdom i’ve built and also the things i have yet to understand
- where the roots of my resilience originate
- adventure everywhere i turn because i am the creator of my own story n damn do i like a good story
- the best dollar store in the whole world
- where my heart wants to be
- the courage to heal from past trauma n assaults by learning how to trust other people again
- the importance of patience when learning to be patient
- magical healing powers of onsen and drinking milk after onsen
- the best version of myself
- vanilla ice cream scented candles that actually smell like ice cream- i cannot attest for taste tho
- the satisfaction of building a life i used to only dream about
- that nothin is stronger than family (yes itz me dominic toretto)
august 17 two years ago, i got on a plane by myself, giving up my home, my family, my language, my beloved cat, and all my comforts for the chance to be a dreamer. last year, i was getting ready to fly to tokyo n bring the dream car home. i spent this august 17th getting my 2nd shot of the vaccine after an epic weekend of hustle featuring some well deserved rest because i now know that if there’s no me, there’s no dreams.
i actually have no clue what im looking for but the most important thing i found, is my compass. no matter how few or many steps i take, the shortcuts i discover, or the detours and road closures that may set me back, every step is forward when i know which direction i’m going.
this year’s 12 photos. last year’s here.
here’s to another year,
A
anntanya 
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to another year of exploring wonders and personal growth. The beauty about life is that it’s not the one thing you achieve or the one destination you reach. It’s a journey, and the path is never direct, which may bring exciting (or horrid) adventures/experiences, but it’s the stuff that makes you alive. Keep calm and embrace it.
T
xo