Nekojarashi by the Radwimps: The Song In My Head

Weekly Topic: A song that you recently can’t get out of your head

Olimpia

Music has often lifted me out of overwhelming situations. 

Like many expats teaching overseas, I found myself in a difficult situation in the beginning of the pandemic. Each day became more uncertain in many areas of my life. At the time, I was unable to work and my mind was flooded with questions:
  • Should I go to my parent's home?
  • Should I stay abroad and see if my work will open again?
  • Should I defer graduate school? 
  • Should I start graduate school remotely?
By week three of the lockdowns, I had become overwhelmed and unable to make simple daily decisions. One day I stayed in my bed feeling helpless.

The next morning, I woke up early and unable to go back to sleep. The sun was about to rise and so I decided to play a random radio playlist on my music app. 

As the sun shined into my room, "Nekojarashi" by the Radwimps began to play. I did not understand the words, but my heart understood the feeling of the song.

There were small things to be grateful for like the sun shining through my window. I replayed the song for over an hour and I found myself cleaning my apartment, cooking a healthy breakfast and leaving to walk along the river to enjoy the blue sky.

I still replay this song often and it reminds me to breathe, stay present and let life take its course.


Language Insights:

Vocabulary:
expats: person living in a country different from their own. 
replayed: to play a song again prefix: re- (again)

Phrases:
I found myself in a: used to describe a situation or condition someone is experiencing in their life
stay present: the action of not thinking to hard about the past or the future; appreciating the moment

Modal:
Should I (infinitive): used to suggest or consider a plan of action

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This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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