The Little Things

As people we all strive to see the better picture that is the world around us. Many go their whole lives and never see the wonders that the world can provide them. Well, I’ve had one such chance. I’ve been to a place, commonly know as the land of the rising sun, and yes it was an amazing episode of my life which I could never forget. It all began my sophomore year in high school. There was a summer exchange program in which I would be able to travel to my sister city in Chichibu, Japan. I was excited beyond all recognition. I went through all the motions of such an opportunity: writing essays, commissioning letters of recommendation, and having a sit-down one-on-one interview. After all this I would be notified in eight weeks if I was selected to go. I waited patiently by the mailbox for days on end, waiting as if to see if I had won the lottery. At long last the day came and I received my letter. Alas I would not be going to Japan, but due to my current age and qualifications I would be eligible to go my senior year if I reapplied. Fast forward two years, and once again I went through the same agonizing process, however with one crucial difference, this year I was going.

For seven whole months I toiled away, saving my pennies, shaking down relations, and doing anything necessary to ensure I had my ticket to Japan in hand. Through all this Jim Davis, the program coordinator, kept us informed by acquiring our tickets, helping us with fundraising, and placing us with our host families, and on that lovely July morning of my 18th year, I was bound for Chichibu, Japan. As I arrived to the train that would take me to the airport, I met the other children and adults, that would be traveling with the program; Emily Davis, a bright and cheerful girl; Leah Brooke a sullen and quiet girl, but only around her stepmother Sue, who would be joining us in a week; Erica Hebert, obnoxious and rude, truly the bitchy girl in school every one loved to hate; and Mr. and Mrs. Jones,