To Leave or To Stay? / Richine Bermudez

Richine Bermudez

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Japan has always been the perfect place to live for many; it has always been their dream place to visit and to some, live and settle in.

The first time I came here, I was not as impressed as the other people who have always admired Japan. In the beginning, I thought it's too quiet here, too laid back. Well, at least, here where I live. I remember finding the tv shows "corny", I did not like their humor; I thought they were too violent and harsh. I did not like their shows' set-up, because it's really different from the Philippines or the shows I used to see. Also, people couldn't speak English, no one was able to communicate with me, even at the restaurants, no, nada! So, I said to myself, I am in no way spending my life here. I will go back home.

My family was one of those blessed families who were able to migrate here to Japan. We were truly fortunate to be able to stay and live here together. But was I really happy? Despite my refusal of staying here, I did not have any choice but to do so, I was young then, so I had to submit to the orders of my parents.

I was adamant at the beginning, proud if you will. I kept on telling myself: Nope, I don’t need and I won’t study Japanese, because I know how to speak English already, if they want to talk to me, they should learn my language!

Right at this moment, I am very much sure that your eyebrows are reaching high or you are probably smiling and saying: oh dear, don’t be so naive! I totally understand, because if I were to talk to my old self, I would say: Wake up! You are dreaming! That is not how things work here! Grow up!

And that’s what I did! I forced myself to grow up! I studied their language after realizing that it is the only way I would be able to adapt to the living style here. My way of studying is not the conventional way though, I did not go to school to study the language, nor brought books and read cover to cover. I learned through communication. I worked as a hall staff in a hotel here in Nagano, and that’s where I learned a lot. My coworkers were so patient in teaching me, they would translate words and phrases to me and I’d take not and try to use them in my everyday conversation. I have the feeling that you are wondering how much Japanese I know, oh please, don’t set your expectations high, my Japanese fluency level is very low. It’s survival Japanese level, as they say. But, enough level for me to be able to carry a conversation and connect to the people around me.

Connections have made me happier. Ever since I started to study Japanese, I felt more comfortable living in Japan. I was able to make friends with the Japanese, see how they see the world, understand how they perceive things, etc. In short, I now feel that I belong here. Humility is indeed very beneficial.

I have learned so much from my journey here in Japan. I have realized that sometimes, things will happen not in the way you imagined them to be, but they will happen according to what’s going to happen. The moral lesson here is to adjust and adapt and with the guidance of our God, we will be in a good place wherever we may be.

Now that I have adapted already, now that I have established myself in here, the tables are turned. Now, I don’t see myself living in the Philippines again. I am going to keep my reasons to myself for some reasons, but what I can tell you is that: I now understand those people who have always been eager to live and settle here in Japan. It’s not perfect, it can never be. But the way everything is in here, I am loving to the bits.

That is why my dreams of buying a house or properties in the Philippines have vanished already. If I would be given the chance to have the ability to purchase a house or a property, I’d want it to be here. I’d want something that I’d be able to enjoy every day not once in a blue moon. I very well know though that everyone has different circumstances and perceptions in life and sharing or having the way I see things would be impossible.

But what if you would be asked by someone: Where would you like to retire? Where would you like to spend the rest of your life? What would be your answer to the question: to leave or to stay?

Richine Bermudez

Jeepney Press