End of September I had temporary work escorting a Japanese group around and during this time, it really felt good to get back in touch with part of roots. I haven't visited in Japan in so long!!! And without knowing myself, a lot of the traits I have I got from my Japanese side even though I haven't exactly lived there. However, when you are away from it too long, and living in another culture, it is only natural for you to adapt and take some traits of the culture that surrounds you. One week with the Japanese group I find myself becoming as smiley as I was back in London (As I stopped smiling in Jordan because when you walk around smiling here, people will mistake you for an idiot, or even seen as you being flirtatious), and seeing things in a more positive manner which is generally how I am. However, since I am here temporarily (until I am back in London to start work end of the year) without much to do, I haven not been the happiest person around and has been affecting my mood! This is not just me. Over the past 2 1/2 weeks my mum went to Japan for work and leisure, and she has also returned in a similar uplifted spirit. It's that childish innocence Japanese carry around that makes things very peachy! And so it is always important to remember your roots, and take the good aspects of it. I am not only referring to the Japanese roots, but also my Arab traits that I do sometimes neglect to mention, but has also their advantages. The Japanese group have loved their visit here!! They loved how easy going people were, how they took the day as it came (although problematic when sticking to a tight schedule),and of course they loved the amazing food we had !! This group that consisted mostly of students who were experiencing different culture were quite amazed and impressed on how individuality can influence one's life and their choices (as Japan having a very collective culture especially in the workplace often leads to depression and anxiety). I must say I have to be quite grateful for my Arabic culture, that allows me to self-express, and be able to adapt to circumstances and have be be flexible in the different situations I could find myself in. The reason for this very long introduction is to kind of change the vibe from my last two points (although the truth but somehow on the negative front), and the gifts section covers things from Japan (from the group and some items mum has got me!)
As for something more me, here are some of the gifts mum got me!
A hair serum
A Japanese magazine (they coordinate fashion the best!! visual merchandising award goes to them!)
Although they are from the 100 Yen store, a memo pad and a calendar, as I am obsessed with cute stationaries
Earphones I asked mum to get, since I broke mine (again)! I specifically looked them up on SONY website!
Some clothes of course!! I am posting these two but she also got me some shirts I asked so I can start wearing for work...etc.
These are three vintage pencil type skirts (My mum's) that she no longer wears and gave them to me!! and I am planning to wear them for work as I don't have any office type clothes since my last employer was adidas where I used to literally go into work very casually, sometimes with gym trousers and sneakers!! And those skirts are such bold colours!! Loved them!!
Books: I haven't been reading in quite awhile and as I am getting back into it thought I would share that I am currently reading my first political read and you would think that a book by a former president would be such a difficult read, but think again! I am very ignorant in history and politics, and don't really seem to be all that interested in this area, so I was worried that I wouldn't get through the first 20 pages but I am already half way through!! Afterwards I am planning on reading "Aleph" as I've heard so much about it, and "A thousand splendid suns", a book everyone around me has read except me!! So I am quite impatient to start on those two!!
From the group a fan and a pencil case that I thought was so awesome as I wouldn't buy such things in Japan for myself!!
As for something more me, here are some of the gifts mum got me!
A hair serum
A Japanese magazine (they coordinate fashion the best!! visual merchandising award goes to them!)
Books: I haven't been reading in quite awhile and as I am getting back into it thought I would share that I am currently reading my first political read and you would think that a book by a former president would be such a difficult read, but think again! I am very ignorant in history and politics, and don't really seem to be all that interested in this area, so I was worried that I wouldn't get through the first 20 pages but I am already half way through!! Afterwards I am planning on reading "Aleph" as I've heard so much about it, and "A thousand splendid suns", a book everyone around me has read except me!! So I am quite impatient to start on those two!!
Peculiar Ami xx
