1) Please tell us something about your background and how you come to be in Japan?

I was born in Poland (Kędzierzyn-Koźle) in 1982 and grew up during the harsh reality of political transition, social transformation, and dysfunctional economy characteristic for that time. My childhood memories and accounts of my parents during communist rule and Soviet dominance have been with me ever since. When Poland became a member state of European Union in 2004, with some financial help from my family and friends I decided to emigrate to the UK. After a few years of earning my keep first as an industrial cleaning staff and then as a laboratory technician, I made up my mind to reenter higher education in the field of chemistry. My master`s course provided me with an opportunity for an internship in Japan through the Vulcans in Japan Programme. After my graduation from Nottingham Trent University, I decided to pursue my doctoral studies at Tohoku University upon receiving a scholarship. Having said all that, I feel an urge to emphasize the difference between what one HAS and one IS.

Lost in a land of cultural unknowns
Repertoire of my forgoing existence dissolved
They – with relish of those new splendors
In continued rummage through drawers of values
Ceased to be they
Unwilling to desist to be they
No one to turn to

Amidst the moments of levity
Amidst the moments of solemnity
Amidst the moments of solitude
Amidst the moments of endurance
Amidst the storm of identities
Amidst the moments of friction
No one to turn to

Wandering westward
Wandering eastward

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2) What kind of writing do you do, and why?

As part of my education, I was partially trained to write scientific papers. In terms of creative writing, it is therapeutic. I have no prior training or knowledge on how to write poems. The most honest answer would be that creative writing is one big experiment. I am not writing to impress or please anyone. And there are some short written reflections on various subjects.

From under the ruin of confusion,
Building up slowly,
Rising to grab peeping sunrays of ephemeral certainty.
Hold on to it!
A transformation came to be.

From under the rocks of fear,
Climbing up to the summit of calmness,
Let yourself go!
Liberation came to be.

Ploughing through the mud of self-deception,
Sublimation came to be.

Oh! A new existence came to be.

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3) Your blog is written in four different languages. Could you explain the reason for that and what the advantages or disadvantages are?

I often find that what I cannot express through one language I can express through another. What I can express through sounds of musical instruments I cannot express through guiding forces of a paint brush or pencil. It is not to say that each of these exist separately – no, they coexist in one space of joint influence. No written words of mine could exist without silence. No written words of mine could exist without an artist putting his heart into creating sounds that I happen to hear.

In terms of what I understand as my reality, all the languages have played an important role in shaping it thus my identity. They have contributed to creating some sort of supportive network/system, which allows for an ongoing learning process.

There are things that I struggle with – writing takes time, some spelling and pronunciations mistakes due to, for instance similarities or differences between given two languages; however, I cannot see any long-term disadvantages.

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4) What is your proudest moment so far in terms of your writing path (career)?

I do feel happiness in my heart that I was able to partially overcome an internal barrier that has been present for years and prevented me from transmitting my emotions and articulating my ideas in both spoken and written language.

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5) Please tell us about your current projects and what you hope for in future?

I have a few projects going on at this point of time. In terms of my research, I will be attending three conferences that I hope will bear fruit in the form of three post-conference publications. One of the projects I wish to complete next year is a book written in Polish on the subject of moral quiescence towards suffering of non-human animals. The book will give an account of a child`s perspectives on this issue and will depict a conflict between two worlds: a child’s and that of adults. In addition, as an independent project, I am at the initial stage of developing a science book for ESL learners. In May of this year, I embarked on Academic Life Coaching training; because the training has been having a transformative effect on my life, I put forward a proposal of translating the teaching materials into Japanese to my coach trainer. In future, I hope for both personal and professional growth in the realm of my writing and teaching career.

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6) Finally, how do you think you might benefit from Writers in Kyoto, and what do you think you can contribute?

It is evident to me that the WiK group is made of writers of various knowledge and writing interests. The fact the group would accept a novice like myself evinces its inclusive mind-set.

The range of benefits is wide to my view: networking, advice on professional issues, sharing information on the publishing procedures, participation in events, publishing opportunities, sharing life-experiences through written language. Against all of the above, I feel I have not enough to offer: my presence at times, my ideas at times, and my words at times. Perhaps, the group will help me to finally lower the anchor of my existence.

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To see Milena’s blog, please click here.