For last last last week’s Intro to Peer Leader Training class, our class got the chance to sit a chat with our senpais (seniors). They gave us many useful advices, but the one that stood out most for me, was to enjoy and explore myself during my four years at university. Especially as First Year Student, try participating in as many activities that interest me, as they might be the stepping stones to constructing my passion and future career path.
Taking in their advice, I went Missing in action (MIA) for the past 2 days. Went to the middle of the mountain, cut off from my cellphone, and almost lost all my streaks on Snapchat (LOL). Nonetheless, it was one worthy Weekend.
[Saturday, May 12th 2018 ~ Sunday, May 13th 2018]
Where did I go?
「別府私立少年事前お家おじか」(Beppu Municipal Campgrounds and Lodge for School Children, Ojika. In short, a campsite in Beppu that took about 40-minute to commute to from APU).
What was I doing there?
This was a Local Exchange Program with Elementary School Children around Oita and Beppu University （別府大学）’s students, hosted by Ojika. Through-out the 2 days, we went hiking, played games, camped, and had internal exchange with everyone.
Highlights from the trip?
Before the trip, I was very nervous about how to communicate with everyone. My image of Japanese people, was that everyone was very well-mannered, polite, but at the same time, quiet and reserved. Moreover, I was not confident in my Japanese. Thus, I expected lots of awkward silence through-out the camp.
Nonetheless, everyone completely blew my mind and proved my expectations wrong. Everyone was so cooperative, and proactive even. The children were so bright, continuously talking and joking around with us.
Like most first meetings, everyone was reluctant, yet, after one or two round of ice-breakers, we kicked off really well.
One of the most aspiring things I got out of this trip, was how creative the activities are. Sustainability was highlighted through-out the whole trip. As the campsite was located inside the mountain, natural resources such as tree trunks, branches, or wild fruits were used to construct the missions during Treasure Hunting (such as making a whistle out of leaves, putting together a flute made from tree trunks etc); or to create tools to be used for indoor activities (tree branches and trunks as crossbows, and the nuts as bullets, etc). Disregard modernization for a couple of days, and what I got in return, was 2 days of authenticity.
Everything was done from scratch, but done from scratch together. All that seemed impossible, was proved possible.
My favourite moments!
Too many to even pick one! I really enjoyed the Campfire and Night hike on the first day, and our Message Exchange on the second day.The organizers put together a camp fire at the end of day 1. After gathering some volunteers, we were given roles to play. As messengers of the spirits, we, (the volunteers), were asked to deliver the opening speech, and carried out the fire rituals.
The solemn ritual gave off the Ancient-Greek kind-of-vibe, where we were all dressed in veils and robes, and was appointed a specified character. The rehearsal was very well-structured, even a bit strict to some extent, but we all learnt how to work as teams to have equal shares of work. We ended the night by watching the fire burn in solitude. It was such a cold and gloomy Saturday. Nonetheless, compared to the (figurative) warmth shared between the children and us, as well as the (literal) heat from the fire, the cold breeze was no problem.
Any thoughts?
Sometimes, we find ourselves on the course of chasing adulthood, that we tend to forget how much fun being a kid is. We all seek that chance of being able to do “what the adults can do”, yet little do we realize, how much we as children can do as well. (or in my case, at least). And during that weekend in May, I touched on my inner-kid side.
No worries. Just having fun. Meeting new people. No barriers of reluctance. Just pure joy.
Sometimes I stumble on difficulties expressing inner thoughts and emotions out directly, or even into words. Yet, had you been there with me on that day, be-teamed me through all the activities, talked with me after every meal, I believe you will not just comprehend what I was thinking, but also, feel what I was feeling as well.
Any regrets?
yes. Yes. YES. NOT HAVING WRITTEN THESE WORDS EARLIER !!!!
To be honest I blame my tight schedule and procrastination. Had i finished this note right after the Local Exchange finishes, I would have a more crystallized thread of thoughts. My episodic memory-house is just ... well ... destitute 📷 (bad memory basically....)
However, I will sign off here with this Message card below. I can vaguely remember the entire events, but can pellucidly recall those genuine feelings on that day.
Hand-made objects are not crafted from hands, but are done from the hearts. (Can I quote myself lol?). I could have spent 2 more pages explaining the details of my trips and trying to think of adjectives to describe it, but instead, I’ll just put out mine, and everyone’s feelings via this little postcard.
Given the time available, do drop by my dorm’s door and have a quick read at it ･ﾟ✧*:･
Sign off words
Did you know, there’s an old maxim:
You remember 10% of what you read
You remember 20% of what you hear
You remember 30% of what you see
You remember 70% of what you say
You remember 80% of what you experience
And
You remember 90% of what you teach others.
So, which out of these, do you seek ?
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