“Hello friends.

I’m back again with another story of love and joy. Yes, I was given a life without flaw. Valentines day, Japan, 2008. Girl of my dreams, incredible view, perfect meal.

For those that don’t know, the process of finding a career in Japan is one of the most stressful and difficult times for a Japanese person. 就職活動、Shuushokukatsudou, is the process of applying to as many as 40 companies and spending a grueling 6 months securing a future with a company you’re happy with. Nearly everyone who participates in 就職活動 makes it their number 1 priority; many students stop attending classes altogether and quit their part time jobs just to make more time for interviews. Yes, it is rery rough and 100% different than the way American students apply for work. Risa is currently going through 就職活動 and needless to say, is quite the busy bee these days. Thus, I wanted to make a relaxing evening for us on Valentines day to relieve some of her stress and put a smile on her face.

If you’ve been keeping up with my blog lately you know of the zoo in the clouds. If this is your first time here, scroll down until you see a ridiculous video blog entry with a weird guy talking about hanging around a goofy zoo in some random city. With that established, we all know how much I loved the animal peaked hill with it’s gorgeous view and soothing air of serenity. I knew it was a must for V-day. Now, how about dinner?

Here’s the extremely excellent bit – I’m a regular at the coffee shop / restaurant next door, which is delicious by the way, and know the owners fairly well. I talk to them on a regular basis about tricking, Risa, America, the fraternity, etc. It’s a cozy little restaurant with a just the right touch of light music and ambient lighting.

Did I mention the music? Oh yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. I had a conversation with the owners and they ever so kindly let me play a custom CD the length of our stay in the restaurant. So you know exactly what I had to do: I took all the songs Risa and I listen together, threw them on a CD, and gave a copy to the shop next door. I took it a bit farther and also chose the meals the day before.

That’s was plan, how did it go down? For whatever reason I’m blessed beyond words and things went off with a hitch.

Met and the station with flowers and a hug. Basked in the glow of a beautiful sunset. Without ordering had an immaculate dinner in the comfort of nostalgic music.

To make things even better, Risa gave me the most touching, personalized gift I’ve ever received that had me in tears within minutes of opening it. After all was said in done, I sat down at my computer, blinked my dry eyes at the blank screen for 10 minutes, put in my headphones, and began to think.

Why am I so lucky? I used to think, “”I just have a positive attitude. That’s why I can smile all the time.”" But the more I think about it, the more I realize, it’s not just the attitude. I literally have nothing in my life I can complain about. I’m in Japan, living my dream as an exchange student. I just finished my first semester with the highest grades in my class. I’m getting job offers for modeling by Asahi – $1,300 a day. I’m talking with my favorite bands since my early teens. I get e-mails on a daily basis from strangers, thanking me for this site. My best friend is a gorgeous, intelligent young woman who also happens to be my girlfriend and major source of inspiration. I’m healthy, have the will to work, was blessed with a uncommonly natural focus, and the capacity for quick learning. I honestly feel there is nothing I cant do. What is this?

Is this a stage in life? Do you get to the point where you wake up one day and everything is perfect? Does this end? Will I be this happy until the day I marry? The day I have kids? The day I die? When you’re 20 and half years old do sugar dumplings and strawberry lumpkins flow through the rivers and pulse through your heart? That’s what I’m in the midsts of experiencing. I can cry at any point of any day due to the ridiculous amount of joy I experience at any given moment.

By the way, I made up the word lumpkins and ate way too much spaghetti for dinner. Train hard!”

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