Why I want to go Japan

To explain my thoughts and feelings behind leaving Singapore... and going Japan to work and live...

Why am I going Japan...?
Why am I going Japan and leaving my friends behind? Friends of so many years, been through so many things together...
Why am I going Japan and leaving my family behind? Parents who will age like everyone, parents whom I should take care of...
Why am I going Japan...?

If there is a simple answer within a simple sentence, there can only be one answer:
"Because it is that kind of love"

(Because it is that kind of love that I have pursued for 8 years...
Because it is that kind of love that I have pursued from JC, learning Japanese on my own
Because it is that kind of love that I have pursued in NS, taking Japanese classes in my little free time
Because it is that kind of love that I have pursued in NUS, taking Jap 3 right from the start, going crazy right from year 1 sem 1
Because it is that kind of love that I have been so stubborn about, so ridiculously obstinate to give up
Because after JC, I wanted to major in Japanese Studies, but I didn't in the end, and somehow I ended up in CEC
Because in NS, during that one night in field camp under the stars, I was looking in the night sky and trying to catch a glimpse of the future
Because of the belief that life is made up of choices, and Man is born free to choose the things that come in his path
Because of the belief that life only happens once in this consciousness, and that there are things out there that I don't want to miss out
Because imagining myself at 50 with a family and everything in Singapore, and I do not want to regret when I ask myself if there was another path that I really wanted to take
Because the world is so big out there, Singapore is so small and limited, and there are so many things to see
Because holidays/traveling don't give you much except superficial glimpses
Because there can be many other ways to live life, not this way that I (we) were born into in Singapore, because life is full of other possibilities
Because the place where I want to be should be bigger than a tiny red dot, where I have enough space to roam and explore, discover and experience
Because jumping into a car and driving in this tiny red dot takes you at most as far to KL or whatever (although driving to Thailand is quite a crazy idea and I like crazy ideas)
Because this heat is driving me crazy and I hate the heat
Because of this heat, you can't feel any change in life, rather it appears monotonous and suffocating all year round and you don't feel like doing anything
Because when you take a walk in early Spring or Autumn, you can feel like you are on an adventure to go anyway, you can explore everywhere, and you can walk for hours and hours
Because my idea of a walk is not from Orchard Road to Marina Square, rather it is a trail into Kyoto's bamboo groves or Kobe's hills
Because when the seasons change, your feelings change, your mood change, the world is renewed again, and the scenery drapes a different paint color
Because when you love something, you accept everything about it, even the bad parts
Because I should do something when I am (still) in my teens
Because a boy should go see the world
Because a boy should go see the world and come back as a man
Because I have went to Japan before
Because I have fulfilled half of my dream
Because it is a major art piece of my life left unfinished
Because I am a perfectionist
Because there is a lingering sweetness in my lips after I wake up from my dream
Because my parents support me
Because friends although friends, will each find their different paths in life
Because there will always be gatherings and separations
Because we all will die in the end
Because we all live our lives like the Cherry Blossom that blooms for one short week
Because we are transient beings
Because I want my memories to be beautiful
Because I want to see the pink Cherry Blossom again
Because I promised someone that I will pursue my dreams, and she will pursue hers
Because I gave up so many other things for Japan
Because all the more I should work doubly hard to replace the things I have given up
Because it is the same for the people I have parted with
Because I couldn't be with you, Grandma, at that time
Because you showed me a beautiful sunset that day
Because I know you gave me your blessings
Because I will succeed for your sake
Because of my stubbornness
Because it is something that I will not give up
Because it is my dream
Because dreams are meant to be chased
Because even if I die for my dreams, I will die smiling
Because of my pride)