At our SiJ orientation, we were encouraged to have a "Why not?" attitude. Instead of asking "Why would I do/eat/try that?" we should ask "Why wouldn't I do/eat/try that?" I think this is a good attitude to have in daily life, and especially for this summer.
Well, we have no ordinary team. In fact, our team is probably the most fantastic team that ever was. Our UFers have brought with them the phrase "YOLO," which means "You only live once." It is an attitude that encourages adventure and curiosity, because we only have one life to live. If someone says, "Let's hike a mountain and watch the sunrise!" a YOLO attitude responds with an enthusiastic YES!
Upon arriving in Japan, we decided to alter the phrase to YOJO, which means "You only Japan once!" Yes, we are using Japan as a verb. Everything here is new and fun and exciting! We are loving it!
Everyday is full of adventures. Riding bikes everywhere we go. Almost getting hit by passing cars. Driving on the opposite side of the road. Eating raw foods. Speaking Japanese. Taking off your shoes inside. Exploring a new city. Grocery shopping. Photos. Public transportation. No translators. Ordering food. Getting sick. Japanese hospitals. Sitting on the floor. Thin, sliding doors. Tea. Music. Rice for breakfast. Chopsticks. Notto. Takoyaki. Onsen. Communal showers. Karaoke until 2 a.m. Bowing. Earthquakes. Mochi. Calpis water. Yen. Kilograms. Nine different ways to sort trash. Sitting down to shower. Sleeping on futons on the floor. Cartoons, everywhere. Rice fields. Tatami mats. Trains. Small bowls. Small everything. Dragons. Square cars. Mirrors on street corners. Bamboo. Uneven roads. Line drying.
Life here requires a YOJO attitude, and I'm so thankful our team has one. Here's to many more adventures!
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