Real life nintendo?

I had the opportunity to serve a mission in Japan the video game capitol of the world, I think. Anyway while I was there I could sense that I was missing something. Something that would help me put the whole culture in perspective. I was in my last are with only two months left or something like that. I was at a members house, parents and a daughter age 25 at the time were the only ones there with us (missionaries). They were letting us teach a mock discussion so we could practice a few techniques with them and towards the end of the conversation I took the opportunity to chastise the daughter for something and when I was finished the mom said to me, Wow Elder Henderson you have really powered up a couple of levels since the last time we had you over at our house.

I was flattered of course because it was only three weeks since the last visit. I couldn't help but think, hot dang, 2 or 3 levels in a time span of a couple of weeks, that's amazing.

Then the lights went on.

I finally found the missing link to understanding the Japanese culture. I was inside a video game world. No wonder Japan make a ton of cool video games they live them. Anything cool that happens into their life they write a program for it and sell it to foriegners who take turns reliving an ordinary day in Japanese life.

I never knew that experience points were actually accumulating above my head as I walked around. I could feel the definite pyscological blow if I ever lost my coins like Sonic or if I happend to lose a level do to sickness. But upon quick reflection at times I could actually pin point the exact moment when I would go up a level. In Japan you also get a turbo boost. I never was quite able to figure out how to use it, but once in a while I could feel it getting used and it was awesome.

On the way to the church from our apartment there was a little jump in the sidewalk that my companion and I would take turns jumping. One day I was taking my turn at the jump and out of nowhere my turbo kicked in I started traveling at mock 3 with the least amount of effort. I hit the jump flew over a broken umbrella that was on the other side of the jump and in mide air I jumped up a level.

That was in my top ten greatest accomplishments of the 7th month of the two thousand and sencond year.

To not make a long story longer, if you think of you life as a video game, and you can find out what things help you power up a level and you can find out how to use your turbo, you can have some great memorable experiences.