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Based on the events that took place earlier today, I have decided to dub it INTERNATIONAL-GOOD-BAHRAINI-DAY. Last night was another night in which I found it impossible to sleep. I didn’t sleep until sunrise and heard the birds outside sing. Weird. But, I woke up early, because I am in the routine of being awake by 7.00am for my language classes.

Today, after my weekly phone-chat with my parents in Bahrain, I went to Shinjuku (one of the more vibrant - and noisy - places in Tokyo) to meet Ahmed - a Bahraini friend of mine - who has been in Japan for a little over two years now, as a student. I forgot to carry my iPod with me, so, I had to be in the train for 40 minutes with no music to listen to - i was silently screaming the entire ride. It was a little unreal to meet a Bahraini here in Japan; when we started talking in BAHRAINI Arabic, I felt that everything around us was suddenly made so simple. It’s a really strange experience, to suddenly speak in BAHRAINI Arabic after ONLY speaking Japanese every day for over a month.

Some of the things we talked about were the differences in life between Japan and Bahrain. We talked about problems we face, as well as the really interesting and fun things we say in our daily lives. It’s not all that bad. We talked about common friends in Bahrain. We talked about university life in Japan. We had all these conversations over a yummy lunch and some Starbucks Coffee; just like Bahrainis do back home. I also couldn’t help noticing that since the two of us study and live in different parts of Japan; we have perhaps developed a different impression of Japan. He lives in the country side, while I live in Tokyo. Two totally different faces to this beautiful place. I remember my days as a student in the States, I lived in a more rural part of America; I loved it, but I also feel that I missed out on observing the other half of America; by that I mean the big-city life. I decided before coming to Japan, that I would like to be in Tokyo, as it is the most active place in this country, and that I will be getting a different experience than the one I had from my undergraduate days in the States. I think, in both cases, I love the place(s) I live in.

Now that I reflect back on it; I also think that my two-year work experience in Bahrain between my undergraduate and post-graduate studies has really helped me understand the process of growing up, as an individual in the physical and mental sense - I say this despite  having a bitter experience with my past employer due interpersonal problems with a particular psycho who I should just forget about. Oh well - it’s all over now.

I also guess that being interested in anything Japanese since a very young age has something to do with the reason that I am happy to be here in Japan. I guess my first experience with Japanese was playing with some Japanese children during my kindergarten days. I had Japanese penpals when I was in the 2nd grade. I started Karate in the 6th grade. I had an introduction to studying the Japanese language during my 2nd year in highschool, as I was searching for new challenges to undertake in life. In university in the States, I took some more Japanese language classes and had some Japanese friends. After returning to Bahrain, I was selected to go to Japan as a participant with the  Ship for World Youth; I spent two weeks in Japan, and two months on a luxurious ship with over a 100 Japanese Youth - some of whom become my closest friends. Now, I am in Japan, as a student, after being awarded the Monbugakusho Scholarship. It’s funny how time passes; and how people you meet and memories you have could shape the path you ultimately decide to take.

All this, and more, has probably helped me in deciding to come to Japan, and I feel happy to be here. This definately is a unique opportunity.

At any rate, back to the INTERNATIONAL-GOOD-BAHRAIN-DAY issue. Right now, it is 2.20am (NOT a very good thing, but, I guess since it is technically not the same day, I am safe. I am sitting here in the kitchen on the 2nd floor; with a BIG pile of Japanese language books and my laptop. I have been reviewing all that I have studied over the last 5 weeks here in Japan, as well as preparing for the big test I have on Wednesday. Mind you, this is a Saturday night; in Tokyo - most students here prefer to take advantage of the opportunity to go out and party in some of the wilder districts of Tokyo such as Shinjuku, Shibuya or Roppongi Hills. My mother should be proud of me I also went to a GIANT bookshop today while I was with my Bahraini friend, to pick up a few study aids to my quest in mastering the Japanese language. I figure, the harder I study the language now, the easier I will find life in Japan in the future. Mastering the language will certainly remove the language barrier between myself and the rest of Japan. I hope I am on the right track, and not just wasting my time. For now, I prefer to be hopeful. Wishful thinking is the way to go.

I will probably be up early tomorrow, too, and I will have to finish up my laundry, clean up my room and take my studies a little more seriously. I might catch the train to Yoyogi Park to have some lunch at the Thai Fair that is taking place this weekend. Some of my friends from my Japanese language are participating in the fair, and I thought it would be nice to just support them and their cause. Ciao.