A 5-Chapter Story for my 6 Months in DC
Chapter 1: Goodbye Chicago
The story starts as I leave my hometown, Chicago, for the first time.
Tomoya and I biking around Chicago (Tom is a friend from Japan)
Saying by to the good people at AARCC
My last hour in DC spent with old friends in my “new” room (I don’t have a room in my house anymore)
Saying bye to the Grandthings and our new cat, Hin-chan
Chapter 2: Explosion
DC was an instant explosion of people, politics, and play. I’ve met so many passionate people who want to go places and do things. They want to see change in the world just like me. And there are also a good mix of local folks and those making ends meat who add to the diversity of the metro. I thought I was challenged politically when I studied abroad in Japan, but DC is such a bubble of educated people that you get sucked in. And I love it! Lastly, DC has been a fun place to meet new people, go partying, and have fun being single.
My first Roomies, Mike, Matt, and Zach
The Equality March in DC
Senator and Co-workers
Chapter 3: Roots and Layers
My life has many Chapters and DC has been a great culmination of them coming together. I have seen friends from high school, college, Japan, and more. The best Christmas of my life has been this one. I went home and surprised everyone. It was a great check in to the city and the people who’ve made me me.
Reunions of my Japan Study Abroad
Louis’s stop over in DC from Japan to Brazil
Sexy men from Japan and Australia: Takeharu and Rukmal
High school and college friends in DC
Aaditi and I at the Immigration Rally (a co-worker from AARCC)
Arelys in DC
The Latinos in NYC for Sebastian’s b-day
Mr. Steven Tran the Man
My first week in DC: Christine from the JACL Chicago office and AAI Chicago, and Jacki Mac my breakfast buddy from high school
A visit home
Surprising my friends was nice and snug(gy)
Chapter 4: Disaster
After a warm Christmas in the cold of Chicago and a New Year’s in New York, I returned “home” to DC sick. I didn’t go out as much and tried to sleep as much as I could. Work was getting harder as projects became more complicated and the urgency of my involvement grew. The Snowmageddon hit, then the Snowpacolypse, then the SnOMG. I’m still in the process of working out some of the nuts and bolts of my work life and managing my time. I see it as a challenge, an opportunity to build skills and bridges, and a means to an end.
Nomadically treading the snowstorm in DC (I miss (the services of) Chicago)
Chapter 5: The Future is near
A means to an end? What End?
I want to make change in the world. I’ve seen it happen. I believe it’s possible. And I want to help. I mean, the city I live in has same-sex marriage as of last week and a hate crimes bill passed after over a decade. As I reflect upon the event of my life, I think a lot about the layers and roots behind me.
I think about the things I have accomplished from school, to travels, to my involvement with Chicago’s Asian American community. I think about my identity and how I’m always exploring the different parts of me. (Since living in DC, I’ve thought a lot about 2 very different things: who I want to date and why I am a Democrat).
I think about the people I’ve met. How they are a huge contribution to my life experiences and they are along for the ride of Phill’s life! It took many years (and hours of working out) to build my confidence in myself. However, I think the reason why I believe I can make change is not just my internal understanding of myself. It is also that the people who are in my life believe in me too. It’s a great feeling knowing people have your back and support you.
As I move forward and think about where to work next, where to travel next, and where to go to school next, I want everyone I know that I am thankful to have met them and glad you’re in my life. I love the reunions, I love returning home, and I love making my ways toward making a difference.
