Country Roads

I just wrote about my trip to Cambridge, reflected on my past, and wrote about how I want to grow in the future.

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

I was supposed to meet up with my friend.
Actually, I needed plenty of courage.
I had taken many solo trip in Japan, so I was confident that I can do it.
Actually, I had done it.
However, I ran into a lot of trouble!!

Getting Lost in London

My first train.
My first underground.
I collected paper tickets, and I wasn’t sure how to use it.
I tried to pass through the ticket barrier in London.
But I couldn’t.

I tried asking the station attendant in my broken English.
His reply was a bit blunt, so I felt a little down.

The Courage to Be Alone

I arrived at King’s cross station.
I wanted to take my picture at platform 9 and 3/4.
But then, I realized I was alone.
I regretted coming here by myself for a moment and realize “she” had taken a picture here by herself.
At the same time, I realized that I don’t have the courage she had.

While thinking about such things, I got on the train to Cambridge.
I had been playing music randomly, then I realized I was listening to the Japanese version of “Country Roads.”

Country Roads

It seems they have completely opposite meanings while original version and Japanese version.
The lyrics of original version has the meaning of having desire to go to Hometown.
On the other hand, Japanese version has the meaning of leaving hometown behind and live alone with toughness.
This was translated by Mamiko Suzuki & Hayao Miyazaki regarding the production of Whisper of the Heart.

This is one of my favorite films.
I sincerely want to watch this film again.
In this story, Seiji Amasawa have gone to Italy to fulfill the dream of becoming a cellist.

Following My Heroes

I have come here following in the footsteps of the people I admire.
I suppose that Seiji is one of those people.

Actually, I have never watched the animated film.
However, I have watched live-action version with my sister.
Now, I was looking back through my albums, and I realized that that was approximately 4 years ago!!

I probably suppose that you think “Approximately? It’s weird”.
However, I am practicing academic writing.
I’m very grateful that you are reading such poor writing.

Anyway, I have to watch this film again.
I bloody want to watch the scene of singing “Wings to Fly” in a choir.
It was so amazing! I was deeply moved.

I think most Japanese people of our generation should feel a sense of nostalgia for this song as well as “Believe”.
I suppose that this is because we had been listening and singing these songs when we were in nursery school.
I think I heard “Wings to Fly” for the first time when I had been to a circus with my sister and cousin.

It is said that memories until 3 years old are completely forgotten.
For me, this experience is earliest memory.
I want to reminisce about those memories if I have time.
(Someone said me that you shouldn’t say “if” but I don’t always have time.)

I’ve changed the subject again!!
I am writing an essay about Cambridge.
Uhm… so, I was heading to Cambridge by train with loneliness.

Finding Peace in Cambridge

I finally arrived at Cambridge.
It goes without saying, there were very good place.

Loneliness or Solitude?

I enjoyed solitary time.
I suppose it is beautiful that English has two words “loneliness” and “solitude”.
Actually, I occasionally felt loneliness when I had been walking around there.

By the way, my return train was canceled, and I had to go back earlier.
I was completely confused because I was not good at British transportation.
But thanks to that, I enjoyed London and had good experiences.

Becoming More Resilient

I argue that it is not always bad to feel loneliness and pause on your journey.
You need time to consider your past and beliefs.
Then, you can walk your path again.

I need to become not only tougher but also more resilient.