The year 2007 was one of the impressive years in my life. Let's look back at it from the beginning.
On January 1, I took a train from Syracuse to NYC in order to start job search. It was two-week trip, which allowed me to see a bunch of Newhouse alumni. I was also able to set a couple of interviews in the city. It was such an exciting journey. As you may remember, it was only six months after I landed in the States, and my English was awfully terrible. I can say, how brave I was, or what a bold man I was. haha. Those interviews did not go well, yet gave me a lot of inspirations to pursue my career in this field. I've learned a lot from the trip.
Soon after I returned to Syracuse, the spring semester began. On top of that I had to deal with four classes, I decided to have an English tutor, having three private sessions a week. Tons of homework assignments and the English sessions forced me to stick at the library. Someone said, the library is Masa's home. I couldn't deny it...
The spring semester went by so fast, like a lightning speed!!! As it turned to warm season, the graduation day was getting closer, which made me feel so sad... Every single second including the moment I was at class, I was dancing with my friends, I was dead on exams, was truly a treasure for me.
On May 12, I was in a black gown, sitting with my great classmates in the Carrier Dome. Yes, it was the Newhouse School convocation!!! I couldn't believe that the whole freaking busy life was almost finished. Each student was asked to step forward to a stage and given recognition. When I heard my name on the stage, at which all the Newhouse kids were starring, I was so proud of myself. haha. After the convocation, we hung out at Quad and took pictures and pictures. When I saw my professor smiling at me and saying "Congratulations," I couldn't hold back my tears.
It was a little strange that we still had to get a comprehensive exam done, even though we had the graduation ceremony. The three week capstone exam was extremely hard, and forced me to stick at a table in a dark room without any sleep... Most students developed more than 100 pages. So did I. When I finished it, there were only 15 minutes left. I was exhausted and swore never come back to school. haha. At lease, I made it.
On June 7, I retuned to Tokyo and soon moved to Osaka in order for my summer job at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Osaka 2007. It was first experience to live in outside Tokyo (inside Japan) and another first experience to work for the international sporting event. Life in Osaka was quite interesting, but I didn't have enough time to explore all the great portions. When I landed there, the championships was only 70 days away. Many tasks and tons of pressures suddenly came onto my shoulders. The world championships was literally huge. Those heavy tasks required me to commit a large number of hours on it, which has eventually become a precious experience for my future career.
I was going to look for a job in NYC. I actually went back to Syracuse in late September. But, just a day before I left Tokyo, I got a job interview at the Tokyo 2016 Olympic Games Bid Committee, where I am working now. It was a coincidence. The Olympic Games has been always my dream, and they have been looking for a guy who can handle international public relations for the bid. Soon after I was back in Syracuse, the organization officially offered me the job!!! I, then, traveled around Chicago and NYC to see Newhouse mates. I saw them starting their new life in the city, and they were doing great!!! One sad thing was, I didn't know when I could come back and see them again. I expect there will be a bunch of business trips to go around the world, but not quite sure if I can stop by NYC near future. I really miss you guys!!!
One day, I found Newhouse sent a diplomat to my mother's house. It looked like a junk mail, and I nearly threw it away... haha. But, it was a diplomat!!! This small piece of paper proves I am a master!!! (How much did I spend in order to get this paper?) It bought my mind back to where I was, why I went to Syracuse, and how hard life the past year was. At the same time, these things reminded me how much progress I have made for the year. Once again, how great year it was!!!
It's been two months since I started this new job. These days, I am quite comfortable to work in this organization, enjoying this huge responsibility. I love my job. I love what I am doing every day. I love my life. haha.
One year ago, I could not even think about getting a job in the bid committee. It was just a dream, yet has become a real. The whole way to be here was like an adventure!!! From Tokyo to Syracuse, NYC, Osaka, again Syracuse, and finally I am in Tokyo now. I can imagine it is not that simple to make the year 2008 more excited, but I want to do it. For making my journey more fantastic, every year in my life should be more excited than previous year. Yes, the great year 2008 is about to begin. I am looking forward to updating my stories on this blog in this coming year as well.
