Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

from a very young age. When I was around eight years old, my mom rented the movie “Spirited Away” from a video club, not knowing how “traumatic” it would be for a child. I still vividly remember the shock caused by the scene with the pigs.<figure id="f98e"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*iGRCfFeCs_q_4qH3rHKewQ.jpeg"><figcaption>Milan, Italy — Photo by author</figcaption></figure>Nevertheless, it became my favorite movie until today. I have watched it more than 30 times, along with all the movies from Studio Ghibli. My favorite ones next are “Ponyo,” “Arrietty,” and, of course, “Howl’s Moving Castle.” I don’t consider myself a big fan of anime, as I haven’t watched many. Still, these movies have left a deep impact on me, and undoubtedly, my personality has been influenced significantly by them.Japanese CuisineI would love to try traditional Japanese food. I have eaten several times in Japanese restaurants in my life, but I am sure that none of them can compare to the authentic ones in Japan.I’ve had a similar experience with Greek restaurants abroad. I have never had good Greek food in any place outside Greece. And, of course, it doesn’t matter if the owner is Greek or Japanese. The recipes may be the same, but the taste changes quite a bit because the ingredients differ.Since I enjoy Japanese cuisine so much, I have learned to cook Japanese foods on my own, so a trip to Japan will help me improve my cooking skills.<figure id="b09a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*P3V5DUsdsB3-QzVtejf8qg.jpeg"><figcaption>Please don’t judge my sushi — Photo by author.</figcaption></figure>The Japanese languageTwo years ago,

Options

my boyfriend and I decided to learn Japanese. Of course, the first thing we did was download Duolingo, grab some paper and a pencil, and learn to write “Hiragana” and “Katakana”, along with some basic “Kanji.”We were both very enthusiastic and within a few days, we learned many words and phrases. However, during the period when we started, we were on vacation, so when we returned to the routine of daily life, we had to stop. We made a promise that when we are financially in a better situation, we will take Japanese lessons together.If you ask me what I remember besides the basics, I only recall a few scattered words such as “Shiro,” which means white, “Takai,” meaning expensive, and “Oishi,” meaning delicious. A trip to Japan would undoubtedly help refresh what I learned and motivate me to finally start those Japanese lessons I’ve wanted to take for so long.Japanese CultureWhere should I start with Japanese culture? Through its artists? I would really love to visit museums there and learn more about Japanese artists. What about fashion? I would love to try wearing a kimono and learn more about its history. I have never worn one before. How about festivals? Japan is known globally for them, and I would love to attend a cherry blossom festival. What about theater, music, and cinema? Japan has a tremendous cultural heritage, and being able to visit at least once is a life-changing experience.Investing the money I earn from Medium into such an experience will undoubtedly help me grow as a person. It will offer me numerous new experiences and exposure to a culture and a civilization of such historical significance. It will open up new horizons for me, and it will inspire me for dozens of articles.</article></body>

Savings | Traveling | Development

I’ll Save All my Medium’s Earnings For a Trip to Japan

From January 2024 to January 2025

I had been thinking for a while about how to invest the money I earn from this platform. Not necessarily in the traditional sense of the word “invest.”

I was considering whether to participate in a program that would help me improve my writing, buy better equipment, such as a better laptop or a good office chair, or use it to purchase programs that assist writers in enhancing their skills. In the end, I concluded that the best way to invest this money is to go on a trip.

I have set a goal for myself not to spend any of my earnings from Medium from January 2024 to January 2025.

Recently, I discovered that what I want to do in my life is to work remotely and travel whenever I want. I have already traveled to some European countries but have never stepped out of my comfort zone traveling so far.

I was contemplating which destination would be most suitable for me, mainly considering Asian countries like Thailand, South Korea, China, India, and many others. However, I decided that Japan would be my destination.

But why Japan?

Studio Ghibli

Even though I am on the other side of the world, on a relatively small island, I came into contact with Japanese culture from a very young age. When I was around eight years old, my mom rented the movie “Spirited Away” from a video club, not knowing how “traumatic” it would be for a child. I still vividly remember the shock caused by the scene with the pigs.

Nevertheless, it became my favorite movie until today. I have watched it more than 30 times, along with all the movies from Studio Ghibli. My favorite ones next are “Ponyo,” “Arrietty,” and, of course, “Howl’s Moving Castle.” I don’t consider myself a big fan of anime, as I haven’t watched many. Still, these movies have left a deep impact on me, and undoubtedly, my personality has been influenced significantly by them.

Japanese Cuisine

I would love to try traditional Japanese food. I have eaten several times in Japanese restaurants in my life, but I am sure that none of them can compare to the authentic ones in Japan.

I’ve had a similar experience with Greek restaurants abroad. I have never had good Greek food in any place outside Greece. And, of course, it doesn’t matter if the owner is Greek or Japanese. The recipes may be the same, but the taste changes quite a bit because the ingredients differ.

Since I enjoy Japanese cuisine so much, I have learned to cook Japanese foods on my own, so a trip to Japan will help me improve my cooking skills.

Please don’t judge my sushi — Photo by author.

The Japanese language

Two years ago, my boyfriend and I decided to learn Japanese. Of course, the first thing we did was download Duolingo, grab some paper and a pencil, and learn to write “Hiragana” and “Katakana”, along with some basic “Kanji.”

We were both very enthusiastic and within a few days, we learned many words and phrases. However, during the period when we started, we were on vacation, so when we returned to the routine of daily life, we had to stop. We made a promise that when we are financially in a better situation, we will take Japanese lessons together.

If you ask me what I remember besides the basics, I only recall a few scattered words such as “Shiro,” which means white, “Takai,” meaning expensive, and “Oishi,” meaning delicious. A trip to Japan would undoubtedly help refresh what I learned and motivate me to finally start those Japanese lessons I’ve wanted to take for so long.

Japanese Culture

Where should I start with Japanese culture? Through its artists? I would really love to visit museums there and learn more about Japanese artists. What about fashion? I would love to try wearing a kimono and learn more about its history. I have never worn one before. How about festivals? Japan is known globally for them, and I would love to attend a cherry blossom festival. What about theater, music, and cinema? Japan has a tremendous cultural heritage, and being able to visit at least once is a life-changing experience.

Investing the money I earn from Medium into such an experience will undoubtedly help me grow as a person. It will offer me numerous new experiences and exposure to a culture and a civilization of such historical significance. It will open up new horizons for me, and it will inspire me for dozens of articles.