Students at Embassy

The International Event "Global Getdown"

On November 21st, the day of the international event, I was in the hall called "The Cave" where the event would be held.  I was helping the host of the event, decorating the hall with countries' flags while I was waiting for my rehearsal time.  I was as nervous as if I were a runner before a race because I was going to sing a Japanese song as a Japanese representative in front of lots of people from around the world.

After the rehearsal, I got back to my house to eat and take a nap, but I could neither eat enough nor go to sleep because of being under pressure. Half of my mind, on the other hand, was secretly thinking that I wanted to make it fun for the audience some way. "Only singing a Japanese song is not really exciting", I thought, so I made funny T-shirts writing Japanese flags and some Japanese words on white shirts and prepared secret stuff too.

It was around seven thirty p.m. in "The Cave", that an audience started gathering, and a dance group, one of the performers was break-dancing.  In the silent darkness, "Global Getdown" started with the Korean anthem. People from around the world performed one after another and entertained and excited the audience. I was doubtful if my performance could win a burst of applause as other performers could.

When the event was almost ending, our turn came up. Thinking back on the time when I decided to join this event as a performer, I had same feeling as I felt at the time, "I want other countries people as many as possible know about Japan or start being interested in Japan as much as possible." Setting foot on the stage, although I got extremely tensed up, I thought "Now, I better just sing it."

After singing, the audience gave us a burst of applause. Even though most of them could not understand what we were singing about, I felt the Japanese music and our enthusiasm for people to know about Japan touched them. Also, things I prepared that T-shirts and "Shuriken", a weapon ninja use, made from paper cause to gather people's laughter and receive well response. I was glad I decided to perform in the night.

 

The Time Flew!

The time flew. Sometimes we think it’ll be impossible to pass through a bad situation, or that you won’t be able to survive in the storm. In bad times, the best to do is to look forward trying not to see the bad circumstances you are facing and remain focused on your primary goals. We must grow up every day thinking that it was made to provide you with what you need. It was made to give you the chance of overtaking the edge and get over all barriers that come into your life.

However it’s not easy and the process usually can be painful and sad.  But you shouldn’t give up because you’ll receive a much better reward that you have ever expected to receive, if you keep your mind on you objectives and aims.

Despite the fight we can win. Despite the problems we can grow. Despite losses we can live. Let’s come together helping each other to survive instead of creating more problems. If we have been dreaming about something we just shouldn’t leave our dreams for others to complete otherwise we can end like people who have never built anything in life which I do not desire to anyone.

In this Christmas time I wish you the best of the earth, but not wealth and power. Instead of that I wish you friendship, love and happiness. God bless us all today, tomorrow and forever.

Thanks Cambridge

Thanks Cambridge!

I waited for many and many years. Actually I’m not sure for how long I had waited for this magic day. As you know I’ve been living in Cambridge since September and I was really hopeful that I’d see, for the very first time in my life, snow falling from the sky.

Last Sunday, 23^rd November, this dream became true. At 7.30 in the morning I had just woken up and at that time was preparing my breakfast. It was a very cold and dark morning and I was tired because on the day before I went to visit York, in Yorkshire.

Suddenly I started hearing one soft noise coming outside the window. I thought that was a very bland rain because rain is quite common in Cambridge and also because the sky was cloudy. To my surprise, it wasn´t raining, IT WAS SNOWING!!

I couldn't believe what my eyes were contemplating and I stopped what I was doing and looked outside amazed and astonished. It didn’t take long. Soon the rain was back and the snow had gone. But I didn’t care about that because I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life. Once more, thanks God and Cambridge.

All the best,

Matt