8/24/2026

Dream of Nostalgia and Transformation in a Japanese Paradise

I was friends and possible romantic interest with my crush from college who was valedictorian, and lived next to me in residential college dorm housing two years in a row.  He seemed open to encounter with me but I never had the courage. 

We were in that setting or similar, something akin to friendly love.  I loved him.  Our classmates/colleagues were around.  Something productive, academic, meaningful we were doing?

Then I was in Japan.  I was pretty sure that I was really here, and not just dreaming.  I was looking up old acquaintances and friends here.  I was walking past a hair salon, stepped in with help from Aoyagi san’s mother (my primary school friend).  I had quick conversation with hairstylist.  I sat down at restaurant and the young girls seated invited me to the course pre fixe dinner, handed me a menu.  It would be free.  

The only thing was for some reason I had had plastic surgery on my face, my eyes nose mouth were different.  I was asking ms Aoyagi if it would eventually naturally go back and she wasn’t sure but said maybe, yes, but it would take time.  I can still see my face, I noticed in dream I looked more Asian, like those girls who do plastic surgery to get double eye lids.  This was different experience, not necessarily bad, but I missed my real face.

The hair salon, the restaurant, the bookstore, the city open to exploration, everything was paradise like.

I was friends and possible romantic interest with my crush from college who was valedictorian, and lived next to me in residential college dorm housing two years in a row. He seemed open to encounter with me but I never had the courage. We were in that setting or similar, something akin to friendly love. I loved him. Our classmates/colleagues were around. Something productive, academic, meaningful we were doing? Then I was in Japan. I was pretty sure that I was really here, and not just dreaming. I was looking up old acquaintances and friends here. I was walking past a hair salon, stepped in with help from Aoyagi san’s mother (my primary school friend). I had quick conversation with hairstylist. I sat down at restaurant and the young girls seated invited me to the course pre fixe dinner, handed me a menu. It would be free. The only thing was for some reason I had had plastic surgery on my face, my eyes nose mouth were different. I was asking ms Aoyagi if it would eventually naturally go back and she wasn’t sure but said maybe, yes, but it would take time. I can still see my face, I noticed in dream I looked more Asian, like those girls who do plastic surgery to get double eye lids. This was different experience, not necessarily bad, but I missed my real face. The hair salon, the restaurant, the bookstore, the city open to exploration, everything was paradise like.

This dream is rich with emotions and symbolism, drawing from your past, your present, and perhaps your subconscious desires and anxieties. Here's a detailed interpretation:

  1. Revisiting College Crush and Setting:

    • Possible Romantic Interest: Dreaming about a past crush and shared experiences suggests there are unresolved feelings or what-ifs about this relationship. It indicates a longing for connection or closure, aspects of your life where you seek acknowledgment or reciprocation in affection.
    • Valedictorian Setting: This setting aligns with admiration and aspiration. Your crush being a valedictorian may symbolize a yearning for academic, professional success, or a desire to be recognized for your achievements.
    • Productive and Academic Activities: This highlights a desire for meaningful pursuits and collaborative efforts. You might be pondering over your current life's direction and whether it's aligned with the enthusiastic and ambitious person you were in college.
  2. Transition to Japan:

    • Cultural Exploration and Familiarity: Japan in your dream signifies a place of past connections and cultural intrigue. It's a setting that blends both adventure and nostalgia, representing a search for identity or reconnection with elements of your past.
    • Looking up Old Acquaintances: This suggests a desire to reconnect, reflect, or even reconcile with aspects of yourself or relationships that have been set aside.
  3. The Hair Salon and Changes in Appearance:

    • Plastic Surgery on the Face: This dramatic change symbolizes transformation and possibly identity crisis. It could reflect recent changes in your life (perhaps altering perceptions) or pressures you feel about external appearances.
    • Temporary Change: The conversation about your face returning to its original state signifies hope for returning to authenticity. It shows a struggle between embracing change and yearning for familiarity and comfort in your identity.
  4. Restaurant Invitation and Course Dinner:

    • Invitation to Dinner: Being offered a free, elaborate meal symbolizes nurturing and acceptance. It reflects opportunities being presented to you that are enriching and nourishing, both literally and metaphorically.
    • Welcoming Experience: The positivity associated with this encounter indicates feelings of inclusion and belonging, possibly reflecting a supportive social environment you currently find yourself in or wish to cultivate.
  5. Paradise-like Setting:

    • Explorative and Pleasant Environment: This suggests an idealistic view of your surroundings, feelings of contentment, freedom, or the hope to find such peace and exploration in real life.
    • Search for Tranquility and Fulfillment: Walking through familiar yet inviting settings points towards a quest for happiness and satisfaction, which is achievable by exploring new ventures or rekindling old passions and relationships.

Overall, your dream intricately blends reminiscence with self-discovery and transformation, highlighting your inner reflections on identity, relationships, and growing into new phases of life. It encourages taking bold steps towards reconnecting with treasured aspects of your past while embracing who you have become today.