Loved the pic of the elem. school hallway, probably because it looked inviting, cozy, and comfortable. I could see myself teaching there. Mine was all concrete. Hmm...Graduation ceremony ~ also known as Commencement (from the verb Commence, to begin), the transition to and the beginning of whatever's next. So, you're right, "graduation" is moving on from whatever accomplishment you have tried (school, weight loss, career, etc.) and hopefully completed to wherever the summation of one's experiences and character take you. I don't think there's any such thing as "finding oneself"; rather, I think it's finding one's way. While there are many similarities in all of our travels, each person's way is a combination of finding one's way and many subconscious variables (luck). Ex.: Newly stationed in Japan in the USAF, I was walking with a buddy who was showing me the city of Fukuoka. On the way to catch the bus back to base that evening, the crosswalk light was red, so we turned left instead and walked down the street to cross over at the next light. A young lady, with a friend in tow, stopped me and wanted to practice her English with us; her shy friend and I dated and later married. Changed my life and my life's path forever. FFT: what is happiness? The Japanese have two words for it; both mean "Happy", but in different contexts. Hmm . . .
Yes, commencement is a nice word to use, and I like how you phrase it as "finding one's way" -- for it's a winding path with lots of forks in the road. I love hearing about your own Japan stories, and the meet-cute you describe...how amazing and unexpected! Are the two Japanese words for "happiness" 嬉しい and 幸せ??
Yes, pretty much so. 嬉しい is like when someone gives you a really nice compliment or you find a 500 yen coin on the street or a blouse you've been eyeing goes on sale. 嬉しい
Hmmmm I think 嬉しい is used for immediate happiness. I am happy now, in this moment, for whatever reason. 幸せ is like a broader sense of happiness. I am happy in my life overall. Is that correct?
Beautifully written, Laura!! And with such a deep, personal sentimental note. Thanks for sharing your inner feelings with us.
Sharing my feelings is one thing I can be counted on o do haha! Thanks though, as always!
I'm sorry about the toilet cleaning but that school looks so beautiful!
It is beautiful! I love all of the hardwood and windows. The views of the mountains from the classrooms are beautiful too.
I wish my school had looked like this...
Loved the pic of the elem. school hallway, probably because it looked inviting, cozy, and comfortable. I could see myself teaching there. Mine was all concrete. Hmm...Graduation ceremony ~ also known as Commencement (from the verb Commence, to begin), the transition to and the beginning of whatever's next. So, you're right, "graduation" is moving on from whatever accomplishment you have tried (school, weight loss, career, etc.) and hopefully completed to wherever the summation of one's experiences and character take you. I don't think there's any such thing as "finding oneself"; rather, I think it's finding one's way. While there are many similarities in all of our travels, each person's way is a combination of finding one's way and many subconscious variables (luck). Ex.: Newly stationed in Japan in the USAF, I was walking with a buddy who was showing me the city of Fukuoka. On the way to catch the bus back to base that evening, the crosswalk light was red, so we turned left instead and walked down the street to cross over at the next light. A young lady, with a friend in tow, stopped me and wanted to practice her English with us; her shy friend and I dated and later married. Changed my life and my life's path forever. FFT: what is happiness? The Japanese have two words for it; both mean "Happy", but in different contexts. Hmm . . .
Yes, commencement is a nice word to use, and I like how you phrase it as "finding one's way" -- for it's a winding path with lots of forks in the road. I love hearing about your own Japan stories, and the meet-cute you describe...how amazing and unexpected! Are the two Japanese words for "happiness" 嬉しい and 幸せ??
This was fun to read! I also had a sixth grade graduation ceremony….no toilet cleaning but I rolled up some big heavy mats from the pe floor 😂
those mats ARE big and heavy! お疲れ様 !
Yes, pretty much so. 嬉しい is like when someone gives you a really nice compliment or you find a 500 yen coin on the street or a blouse you've been eyeing goes on sale. 嬉しい
幸せ is as you said. :)
If that crosswalk light at the intersection had been green and we had continued straight, yes, we would never have met.
Yessum, the two words for Happy in Japanese are: 嬉しい and 幸せ。Soooo ... what are the contexts? :)
Hmmmm I think 嬉しい is used for immediate happiness. I am happy now, in this moment, for whatever reason. 幸せ is like a broader sense of happiness. I am happy in my life overall. Is that correct?