Fall Seven, Stand Eight

I got some bad news the other day; Brandt Cannici, who was the head of Kaplan's Ginza center about three years ago, was killed on the 19th in a car accident in California. He was riding as a passenger in an SUV with seven young international students, en route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, when the driver drifted out of the road near Santa Barbara. Evidently, the driver oversteered to try to bring the truck back on course, and it rolled and caught fire, killing Brandt, along with all of the other occupants save the driver. Brandt was 30 years old.


When I first came to Japan, exactly three years ago this week, Brandt and I both lived in Minami Urawa, in Saitama prefecture, in the same company dormatory. Brandt--along with Jimmy Crosby, another good friend who lived in the same dorm--was the one who initially helped me find my way around Tokyo on the trains and subways, deal with the language barrier (he spoke fluent Japanese), introduced me to all of his friends, and generally helped me pass the time in the hinterland of Saitama.


My first three weeks here, my boxes of clothing and bedding had not arrived. I only had one pair of brand new dress shoes, and they were tearing my feet apart. I didn't have a futon, and wouldn't have known where to buy one, even if someone had told me. That's what it's like when you arrive in a new country and don't speak the language. It was Brandt who took me to Okachimachi to show me the inexpensive department stores where I could get housewares and comfortable shoes, and who took me to the furniture store in Mushahi Urawa (less than two kilometers from our apartment, but I never would have found it on my own) so I wouldn't have to keep sleeping on a pile of t-shirts on the hardwood floor. In short, his friendship helped make it easier for me to love Japan, and appreciate the adventure I had undertaken in coming here.


Brandt's most defining trait was his optimism. There's a Japanese proverb, "Nana korobi, ya oki," which means "If you fall seven times, get up eight." That kotowaza described Brandt as much as anyone I've ever met. He always expected the best from people, and he was a good and kind person in the ways that really counted. In the face of all opposition, he never pitied himself or became cynical about others.


As you continue to work hard and stress yourself to get ready for your own test, keep Brandt's spirit of optimism and compassion in mind. You'll fail, over and over, to do as well as you expect yourself to do. But forgive yourself, trust that you can do better, and keep trying.


For those of you who knew Brandt and would like to say a few final words about him, his family has set up a Facebook page that anyone can join to share their memories.

Brandt was a smart, handsome, and kind young man, and it's a shame that his life ended the way it did. He was a true friend, and I'll miss him.


▼▽▼▼【講師】Douglas先生のバックナンバー━━━━━━━━
・【Smoke and Makuuchi】2008.10.01(Wed)
･【It's Always Something】2008.10.22 (Wed)
・【Working the Corners】2008.11.12 (Wed)
・【Logic Games】2008.12.03 (Wed)
・【A Truth about Application Essays】2008.12.24 (Wed)
・【The Real Score】2009.01.21 (Wed)
・【Think Honestly】2009.02.11 (Wed)

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