A Feeling

By Johnny Nghiem

June 6^th, 2019

I go to Vietnamese restaurants not just for the food, but for a sense of family.

It's pretty obvious that my crush on Japan has grown over the years. It feels like the best relationship, not my longest, that would be with cigarettes.

I've developed a type of harmony when I visit. I remember growing up and idolizing everything Japanese from the technology to the fashion and to the food. To me, it was the most desirable place to be and years later, not only has it not changed, it's actually grown.

I still wonder what it'd be like if I travelled to Japan in my youth. Would I have the same curiosities? I didn't even start taking photos until a couple years ago so what would've immortalized my imagination I guess would've only ever remained inside my head.

When I was younger, I used to distance myself from things I liked. I was insecure in so many ways that I might lose that emotion. Think of it as your first crush and being so incredibly shy to emit any feelings whatsoever.

Maybe it was the way I grew up.

It's quite common for Asian families to not show much love. Even the idea of a hug and saying "I love you" was strange. It's not that it didn't exist, it was more of what's not said doesn't mean it's not true type of way.

However, we grew up appreciating in other ways and I still continue that tradition today in the form of words that translates into stories and small gifts that turns into a smile.

Forever always finding a way to keep my surroundings positive and charming, if I ever run into you, it's a safe bet that I'll always try to find a way to make the both of us happy.