Taiko drumming started again tonight!
Kaoru san said that I've improved a lot since last semester. She asked me if I took dance classes over the break. I don't really know if there was a change in my performance, but I was happy such praise!
Because Kaoru san only speaks Japanese, one might think that there would be a language barrier. But being with her is the biggest example of how human beings are capable of communicating without words. I am always amazed (and a little embarrassed) by her ability to read me through my facial expressions and awkward body language. Although I say nothing, my embarrassment and lack of confidence must have shown. She could tell when I was being tense and once told me that the way I held the bachi was unnatural, that I should relax and loosen my grip. She would tell me things that I did not realize I was doing. It is like she could see right through me.
I have great respect for Kaoru san. When I first met her, the first thing I noticed were her amazing arms. She would have been the typical petite Japanese woman if it weren't for her toned arms and springy legs. To sum it all up: She's buff. I love the sound of her strong taiko drumming, to hear the loud strikes against the drum pervade throughout the room and echo. Each blow is very powerful and has great impact.
I can't wait to practice more and perform during Sakura Matsuri in April! Taiko is fun and gives you power. One has to play taiko to truly understand this feeling. :)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
First Week of 2nd Semester!
My new class schedule is as follows:
ECON 122 Principles of Microeconomics
MWF 09:10AM 10:10AM
ARTS 117 Exploring Visual Art
TTH 09:10AM 11:10AM
JAPN 232 Intermediate Japanese II
MTTHF 11:30AM 12:20PM
ENGL 135W Creative Writing: Fiction
TTH 02:30PM 04:00PM
I like all of my professors so far! They are all very talkative and interesting. I think I'll enjoy this semester more than the last!
Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my 'creative' days because I have art and creative writing. It feels a little strange to take these sort of classes instead of math. I've centered my whole life around numbers so I never had the opportunity to fully explore my creative side (unless you're talking about being creative with numbers. That's another story!) Of course, I can already see my family's immediate disapproval. I don't know if they will ever understand. They will never consider this type of class practical. I disagree. I think these type of classes are useful in their own way and will force me to really think differently. I will just be exercising a a different part of the brain.
It'll be difficult, but I look forward to the challenge! ^^
ECON 122 Principles of Microeconomics
MWF 09:10AM 10:10AM
ARTS 117 Exploring Visual Art
TTH 09:10AM 11:10AM
JAPN 232 Intermediate Japanese II
MTTHF 11:30AM 12:20PM
ENGL 135W Creative Writing: Fiction
TTH 02:30PM 04:00PM
I like all of my professors so far! They are all very talkative and interesting. I think I'll enjoy this semester more than the last!
Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my 'creative' days because I have art and creative writing. It feels a little strange to take these sort of classes instead of math. I've centered my whole life around numbers so I never had the opportunity to fully explore my creative side (unless you're talking about being creative with numbers. That's another story!) Of course, I can already see my family's immediate disapproval. I don't know if they will ever understand. They will never consider this type of class practical. I disagree. I think these type of classes are useful in their own way and will force me to really think differently. I will just be exercising a a different part of the brain.
It'll be difficult, but I look forward to the challenge! ^^
Sunday, January 17, 2010
In Oregon
First day back.
I love Oregon's fresh air. It has been raining all day, but it's not too cold.
Today felt weird. I felt like I should be doing something important because I had so much free time.
But I know that I will be busier than I ever was once class starts!
頑張ります！：）
On a side note to myself, I've decided that I've exhausted my love for certain people. I have been trying too hard. I am going to accept it and give up.
Wish me luck on first day of class!
I love Oregon's fresh air. It has been raining all day, but it's not too cold.
Today felt weird. I felt like I should be doing something important because I had so much free time.
But I know that I will be busier than I ever was once class starts!
頑張ります！：）
On a side note to myself, I've decided that I've exhausted my love for certain people. I have been trying too hard. I am going to accept it and give up.
Wish me luck on first day of class!
Friday, January 15, 2010
What is your fondest memory of high school?
I can't think of a specific moment.
I don't know if it is because 1) I don't have one, 2) I have a bad memory, or 3) I am too lazy to try to remember. I think it might be the last one.
What I do remember is that senior year was the best, but by far, one of the most stressful times I've had. Not only because of classes, AP exams, and college apps, but also drama among friends. Thankfully, I wasn't a part of most dramas, but I do remember many moments regretting something I have said. Maybe I am too serious, which is why people cannot tell when I'm joking or being sarcastic.
I used to beat myself up over it all the time, scolding myself, "Why did you say that?" and wishing that I could think before I speak.
But I didn't think I could actually do this because of my brash personality.
I was surprised that I managed to achieve this now that I'm in college...but it might have gone to the point where I have become a little too self-conscious and aware of everything I say. Again, I find myself unable to relax.
I've always thought it was good to think before you speak, but it is not because you can't be fun and have fun.
New Year's Resolution for 2010:
Stop walking on this tightrope already and jump!
I don't know if it is because 1) I don't have one, 2) I have a bad memory, or 3) I am too lazy to try to remember. I think it might be the last one.
What I do remember is that senior year was the best, but by far, one of the most stressful times I've had. Not only because of classes, AP exams, and college apps, but also drama among friends. Thankfully, I wasn't a part of most dramas, but I do remember many moments regretting something I have said. Maybe I am too serious, which is why people cannot tell when I'm joking or being sarcastic.
I used to beat myself up over it all the time, scolding myself, "Why did you say that?" and wishing that I could think before I speak.
But I didn't think I could actually do this because of my brash personality.
I was surprised that I managed to achieve this now that I'm in college...but it might have gone to the point where I have become a little too self-conscious and aware of everything I say. Again, I find myself unable to relax.
I've always thought it was good to think before you speak, but it is not because you can't be fun and have fun.
Stop walking on this tightrope already and jump!
Friday, January 8, 2010
More thoughts.
Yesterday, I felt a little like Tsukushi Makino from Hana Yori Dango (also known as Boys Over Flowers). Not particularly because I was surrounded by four incredibly rich and popular boys, but because I was surrounded by wealthier people in general. In other words, I felt like what the Japanese would call びんぼう (poor).
I have always thought the mall was boring, but it is always a different experience depending on who you go with!
I realize that the school I applied to was expensive, but I did not realize just how much richer than me everyone was! They live in big mansion-like houses up in the mountains, their parents are owners/managers of successful businesses, they have multiple houses and apartments (around the world?!), they have their own boat (?!), give themselves $$$ haircuts, and the list just goes on... It is very, very impressive. Oh, and my school has its own forest.
...And me? My parents cannot speak, read, or write English. They have low-paying jobs. And we have five people living in a tiny two-bedroom apartment. My brother does not have the first floor of the house (what house?) to himself, he sleeps in our parents' room. The friends I made in Hawaii are similar to me in terms of background and economic status. We all have immigrant parents, we all live in tiny apartments in town, and many of them are first generation Americans like me. For some of them, their children will be first generation Americans since they were not born in America. Although some of my friends are into designer brands...well, it's still not the same, haha.
Their world seems so...alien to me.
I have always thought the mall was boring, but it is always a different experience depending on who you go with!
I realize that the school I applied to was expensive, but I did not realize just how much richer than me everyone was! They live in big mansion-like houses up in the mountains, their parents are owners/managers of successful businesses, they have multiple houses and apartments (around the world?!), they have their own boat (?!), give themselves $$$ haircuts, and the list just goes on... It is very, very impressive. Oh, and my school has its own forest.
...And me? My parents cannot speak, read, or write English. They have low-paying jobs. And we have five people living in a tiny two-bedroom apartment. My brother does not have the first floor of the house (what house?) to himself, he sleeps in our parents' room. The friends I made in Hawaii are similar to me in terms of background and economic status. We all have immigrant parents, we all live in tiny apartments in town, and many of them are first generation Americans like me. For some of them, their children will be first generation Americans since they were not born in America. Although some of my friends are into designer brands...well, it's still not the same, haha.
Their world seems so...alien to me.
What am I trying to say? Do I really want this to be my first post for the New Year...?
It is funny how absolutely BORED I was between Christmas and New Year's while I'm swamped with work now! Last week, I was a slave to my dramas and I did nothing else. Although I had plans to do this and that, I was stuck in a slump and did not feel motivated to do anything at all. D: It did not make sense because there was a point in time when I did not feel like talking to anyone or seeing anyone...but I started to feel very lonely and depressed staying at home all day.
I had many friends and yet no one I could call since my close friends have boyfriends or jobs.
I like to have space, but at the same time, I do not like being alone.
It was driving me a little crazy!
I need some kind of human interaction (besides my impassive brother and my nagging mother!)
I finally started reading Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You) by Karuho Shiina. The plot was very similar to Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (also known as The Wallflower under its U.S. release) by Tomoko Hayakawa, which I did not like, so I was a little hesitant to read Kimi ni Todoke. In the series, Sawako Kuronuma, the main character, is a social outcast. A freak. She scares people away with her face, she is shy, and she is always amazed when someone is nice to her.
She is a pretty extreme character...but I can relate to her!
(Doesn't this say something?!)
(It is a mere coincidence that we have the same hairstyle, right?)
*dies*
I am still very awkward with most people and it takes me the longest time to open up. I wish I could say that I am an easy going person, but if you are reading this, you probably would have realized that I am not. When I met up with some friends for a quick Zippy's dinner and Krazy Karaoke on Wednesday night, I had lots of fun, but still felt...stiff compared to everyone else. I think I was stuck at home for too long, dangerously leaving too much room for paranoia to grow and leaving me alone with my weird (potentially negative) thoughts. It is not healthy being around my mother (the most negative person in the world) for too long, haha. ^^;
Joyce actually saved me from my misery this past Tuesday by driving me to Ewa (Sandy) Beach. I have never been there before and going to new places are always exciting! We had fun burying our toes into the soft sand, watching the ocean waves crash onto shore, feeling the salty winds mess up our long hair, writing names with our foot in the sand, and of course, taking plenty of pictures.
Donna from Portland sent me a snow picture (!!!) so I wanted to send her a beach picture (with her name in it, of course). ^^
I felt touched that Joyce took me out even though she was supposed to hang out with her boyfriend (some of my other girlfriends aren't that nice!) ^^ I ended up intruding on what otherwise might have been a romantic date later for them that night, hehe!
We had dinner at Nordstrom Cafe and all ordered panini sandwiches! I've always wanted to try a panini sandwich because it looks so delish and the one I had did not disappoint!
Pesto Tomato Chicken Panini
We walked around the mall and ended the night at Tantalus (yay for Joyce's awesome driving skills!)
I had many friends and yet no one I could call since my close friends have boyfriends or jobs.
I like to have space, but at the same time, I do not like being alone.
It was driving me a little crazy!
I need some kind of human interaction (besides my impassive brother and my nagging mother!)
I finally started reading Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You) by Karuho Shiina. The plot was very similar to Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (also known as The Wallflower under its U.S. release) by Tomoko Hayakawa, which I did not like, so I was a little hesitant to read Kimi ni Todoke. In the series, Sawako Kuronuma, the main character, is a social outcast. A freak. She scares people away with her face, she is shy, and she is always amazed when someone is nice to her.
She is a pretty extreme character...but I can relate to her!
(Doesn't this say something?!)
(It is a mere coincidence that we have the same hairstyle, right?)
*dies*
I am still very awkward with most people and it takes me the longest time to open up. I wish I could say that I am an easy going person, but if you are reading this, you probably would have realized that I am not. When I met up with some friends for a quick Zippy's dinner and Krazy Karaoke on Wednesday night, I had lots of fun, but still felt...stiff compared to everyone else. I think I was stuck at home for too long, dangerously leaving too much room for paranoia to grow and leaving me alone with my weird (potentially negative) thoughts. It is not healthy being around my mother (the most negative person in the world) for too long, haha. ^^;
Joyce actually saved me from my misery this past Tuesday by driving me to Ewa (Sandy) Beach. I have never been there before and going to new places are always exciting! We had fun burying our toes into the soft sand, watching the ocean waves crash onto shore, feeling the salty winds mess up our long hair, writing names with our foot in the sand, and of course, taking plenty of pictures.
Donna from Portland sent me a snow picture (!!!) so I wanted to send her a beach picture (with her name in it, of course). ^^
I felt touched that Joyce took me out even though she was supposed to hang out with her boyfriend (some of my other girlfriends aren't that nice!) ^^ I ended up intruding on what otherwise might have been a romantic date later for them that night, hehe!
We had dinner at Nordstrom Cafe and all ordered panini sandwiches! I've always wanted to try a panini sandwich because it looks so delish and the one I had did not disappoint!
We walked around the mall and ended the night at Tantalus (yay for Joyce's awesome driving skills!)
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