I recently realized how beautiful the word “I” is. I think when we usually use it, we think of the letter, which kind of looks like a person, all uppercase, honorable, and standing, and we don’t notice how beautiful the sound is that we designate to mean “my self.” "Ai". The sound “ai” means “love” in Japanese. The word for “my self” is “watashi” or “boku” or “ore” depending on the situation. None of those are as elegant and beautiful and soft as the English “ai." Most of the time the Japanese don't use any pronoun, because the “I” is implied. “I love you” in Japanese is simply the verb “loving.” Aishiteru. The “I” and “you” are implied. However, sometimes they use their own names when speaking from their self's perspective--very "third person," which is kind of profound. In English, we use “I” all the time (which might say something about our culture.) It’s a beautiful sound though…Ai. Ai am going to miss Christmas in Kansas this year a lot.
A few of the things I will miss this year:
Fires. Sitting by the crackling fire, the smell, the warmth. No chimneys in Japan.
The smell of fires outside.
Snow.
Pies. Rhubarb and Pumpkin. With fresh whipped cream.
My snot freezing.
Movies with my cousins
Andre’s gingerbread and zopf. Oh my god, zopf.
Zopf and eggnog french toast.
Eggnog! It’s so gross, the idea, but so good.
My cat playing in wrapping paper.
Wearing pajamas around the house with all my sisters.
63rd street lights.
Working at Andres.
Singing Christmas songs with my uncles.
Listening to Handel’s messiah live with my dad.
Stopping by the Meers’s for coffee.
And many, many more.
However, some friends and I might go to Okinawa, which would be a blast. Spending Christmas on a nice, hot beach. Oh yeah.
1 comment:
David, I shall be spending Christmas and the new year in and around the Kansai region. If you are in the area, please let me know. It would be wonderful to meet up with you brother.
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