Firsts

I've already experienced many first being away from home during my first year in college. I'm now experiencing even more firsts in my figure drawing class.

1st class: I saw a naked man for the first time.
2nd class: I saw a dead male and female human body for the first time.

A naked man is okay, but.
I just came back from the second class.
I couldn't do it.
I can't draw a dead body.

Fun homework...finally!

It's when I have to go on Dramabeans for "research" that I realize I love my class! Haha! ^^

Everyone in class has to write an essay about the meanings behind a symbol randomly assigned to them. I was assigned to do research on what the "fox" meant in China, Japan, and Korea. My first thought? I need to start watching My Girlfriend is a Gumiho...quick! XD

Art history will be difficult because

1) Religion plays a big part in the history of art and I know nothing about any religion

2) The jargon/vocabulary makes it difficult to understand and read the textbook. Descriptions of the work leaves me at a loss and I could only stare at the images provided with the text. Gothic variation of Corinthian capital? Say whaa?

I'm taking this step by step and have already developed a vocabulary list in the back of my notebook. ^^ Rest assured, I will know what this all means by the end of this semester!

Friday

Ok, so it's Friday, my second week of Willamette, and my first week of classes.
I've had a stressful period concerning classes and so many worries.
But I think they're over.
At least for now.

I was generally happy with all of my classes except for Rites of Passage, which I dropped for

Introduction to Renaissance and Early Modern Art.

Rites of Passage was the one class I was really excited about because it is a joint class

between Willamette and TIUA students. But the first reading article assigned was ridiculous. I feel sorry for the

Japanese students because even I had a difficult time. I like the professor because he is a really nice guy and I know the class will be an easy 'A' because we have to go at the TIUA students' pace, but. I feel like I'm wasting my time. I couldn't bring myself to read the article because I don't feel like the content is important. I also found out later that I didn't really need the class either because I already fulfilled the Mode of Inquiry: Understanding Society requirement at school.

Sometimes, I feel like I'm digging myself into a bigger hole just because I know that I'm giving up an easy 'A' for more work. After meeting the professor, I know just how tough art history class will be tough. The professor was upset that I missed the first two classes (aka I have ALOT of catching up to do!) But I'm thankful that she pulled me in despite all of the odds. I will have to work very hard!

Writing this entry makes me realize just how much I overthink things because I was freaking out before, but my worries seem insignificant now that everything has worked out. ^^;

Talking to the freshmen earlier this afteroon also made me realize that I was never bored at Willamette. Well, sometimes I am bored in classes or meetings, but I was never bored when I had my own free time...eh, I keep myself busy enough! :)

My friends are all at the Beta Beach Blast right now. I actually went with them just to take a look and see what it was like... I left maybe five minutes after. It wasn't that great. I couldn't get into the dancing and music and the longer I stayed, the lamer I would feel because I wasn't really dancing. It makes me feel bad, but.

There's always a next time right?
I just need to get super wasted so I can lose my sense of self.
Drunk people are free to go nuts.
They have no shame. :)

2010 Fall Semester Schedule

I'll be hella busy again, but I got into every class I wanted!
I'm so excited!!! ^^

JAPAN 331 Third Year Japanese I
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri
9:10 am - 10:00 am

MUSC 111 Basics of Singing
Mon, Wed
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

ARTS 241 Figure Drawing
Mon
6:30 pm - 10:30 pm

ASIA 201 Gateway to East Asia
Tues, Thurs
12:50 pm - 2:20 pm

IDS 230 Rites of Passage in Japan & US
Tues, Thurs
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Hawaii Club's 21st Annual Lu'au...

Now attacking campus with Lu'au posters and shirts...a collaboration between me and Colby! Yay! We have been working on it since winter break. I remember meeting in various Starbucks locations around Hawaii. Colby claims that it is a good environment that keeps him productive, but I find the dim-lighting and quiet music sleep inducing...

I'm so glad that we've finally finished that!

But Lu'au is in two weeks!
Ahh!

I've been telling everyone I see to come and watch Kayla perform the Hula.
She responds by telling everyone, "Jenna's doing Tahitian. She'll be shaking her ass the whole time. At least I'll be pretending to be graceful."

>>;;;

No, no, no...I'm not shaking my butt.
I'm doing a figure-eights with my hips.
And it's so difficult.
And quick!
I need to work on it.

P.S. The dancers will also be practicing kapu, in which we refrain from having sex, drinking alcohol, and consuming refined sweets. The first two is easy, but I don't know if I can survive without getting my daily dose of sweets everyday...I should not have started the habit of eating chocolate the minute I wake up.

Sakura Matsuri Report

Sakura Matsuri, the fruits of our labor, was an enormous success and I am very happy!!! The only unfortunate thing is that my camera broke during spring break, so I don't have too much pictures to commemorate the event... I made a mistake during my taiko performance because I was nervous, but not many people mentioned it.



The dance was amazing, but my legs hurt for three days afterward. It was difficult to walk and difficult to sit down (anything that had to do with bending hurt so much!) The dance is incredibly intense, but it is so much fun!!! I would love to perform again in the fall!



I was able to play all of the songs for our sanshin performance because I practiced until past midnight during the night before. Many people came to see us! ^^

I also finally got to watch Kaoru's group, Takohachi, perform and it. Blew. Me. Away. I knew Kaoru was amazing. I thought she was fierce. Some of her teammates make her look laid back. The leader of the group was the definition of fierce. When my group performed, I thought that Chelsie had strength and Hillary speed. But the leader of Takohachi had both speed and strength. They truly understood the meaning of entertainment and what it meant to be performers because they were not simply drumming - they were dancing and interacting with the audience at the same time. I don't even want to put up a video of them because a video and the real life experience is just too different. It was the first time a performance has made me cry. It messed up the slight make-up I was wearing, but I couldn't stop the tears.

I bought as much of their merchandise as I could with the little money I had. XD

Ladies from the School of Ikebana came to visit us and I got to make my own for free!!! I've always wanted to try flower arrangement.



My posters were popular! Kenny was contemplating selling them, but that would be a little too much. We ended up giving some extras away. Some people stole posters. Others told me that they wanted to cover their bedroom walls with them, haha.

My shirt was also very popular! Since many people requested for a shirt of their own, I will be writing a check for a second order! :)

Getting Ready for Sakura Matsuri!

These posters may look familiar if you are a WU student...I will be raiding campus with them!


The shirts that I've designed have also been delivered! Yay!

I'm really glad everyone likes the posters and the shirts! I've already had two people ask me if they could buy a shirt...! *^^*

Aieeee, I just might have to give up watching the movie, "Sherlock Holmes" and going to that Korean BBQ dinner on Friday night since I will be so busy doing preparations for Sakura Matsuri (along with finishing projects and studying for exams). But it'll be fun so I'll try not to get too overwhelmed by it all! ^^

P.S. I got hired by Willamette Integrated Technology Services!!!

You've heard me say that I'm busy before, but I am currently the busiest that I've ever been - so much that I even skipped class...for the first and only time in my life! D: I figured that since I didn't do homework, there would be no point in me going to class. All we do is sit for an hour and a half talking about the stories we're supposed to have read the previous night. It gets really frustrating at times, especially since the majority of our class is very quiet and the discussion isn't interesting. I also don't enjoy most of the stories I have to read for class.

The next few months will be busy, busy, busy! On top of classes with homework and exams to study for, I have Soran Bushi (traditional Japanese dance) practice on Monday nights, JSSL meetings on Tuesday afternoons and Tahitian dance practice on Tuesday nights, Shodo Club on Wednesday afternoons and Taiko Club on Wednesday nights, Sakura Matsuri Committee meetings on Thursday afternoons, and Sanshin lessons and Kobudo lessons on Friday afternoons. On top of all that, I also do have the occasional Asian Student Association meeting and Hawaii Club meeting to attend, as well as Hawaii Luau Committee Meetings every weekend. I am also a Building Bridges leader, so I have obligations to hang out with TIUA students every week (haha, not that I am complaining about anything...! :D)


This past Wednesday, I had my first Sanshin performance for Hina Matsuri (Girl's Day). I have to continue to practice for my second performance at Sakura Matsuri. I thought about dropping out of Kobudo, but Miwa sensei says she expects me to do a Kobudo demonstration at Sakura Matsuri as well (!!!)
There were many times I felt like dying, but I know that it was my decision to be involved in all of this.


I've been exhausted...yet my friend still managed to convince me to go on an overnight stay at Thetford Lodge 45 minutes away from campus. We left on Friday night and returned Saturday afternoon. We did not do much, but I really enjoyed myself. There were only seven girls, including me, so it was like a slumber party. I am really glad that I went because it was a nice, relaxing break from the stress of campus life.

Next week, I will be volunteering at a local elementary school and sharing Japanese culture with the students there. Apparently, it's their "reward" for being good in class, haha. Wow, a presentation by me? :D I feel flattered, haha.

I've been meeting so much new people these past few weeks! ^^ I don't remember ever having to say, "My name is...nice to meet you!" so many times, haha. But it has been fun! I'm trying my best not to be my usual awkward self.

Last Friday was The Black Tie Affair. It really was like prom all over again! It was an okay night. I borrowed my roommate's dress because nothing at the mall fit me (the smallest size they carry is 3! How can that be? D:) My roommate's dress was XS so it fit me better, but it was still a tad bit loose. I had to do some sewing to tighten it and then it fit perfectly. ^___^ The funny thing is that I look exactly the same as I did during my high school senior prom night. I had my hair done in curls, my make-up the same, and my dress dark blue.

On Saturday night, I went on an ice skating trip from 8pm - 12am. By 11pm, I was so pooped that I spent the night talking to the TIUAs than actually skating. I still remember the time I fell on my bum so hard that I developed bruises. I was deathly afraid of the ice and of falling. >_< My friends were great and held hands with me, though. I felt touched. <3

On Sunday, I asked Aska to be my language partner! She is really adorable. She looks like she popped out from an anime or manga. We are also both left handed, but use our right hand to write calligraphy (!!!) I also learned that she is from Mitaka and that she is a big Ghibli fan!!! She met Miyazaki himself when she was in elementary school! It was on the opening day of the museum so the man himself was there to shake hands with people and take pictures. I am so jealous~! <3 It seems so appropriate for a cute girl like her to be from a cute town like Mitaka. If I lived in Japan, that is where I would want to live. It is a very peaceful, quaint, and charming town. And if I ever start to miss the crowds or the city-like atmosphere (like Harajuku), it is easily accessible by train. ^^ Anyway, we spent quite some time squealing about Ghibli together.

In Japanese class today, we started learning transitive and intransitive verbs. The teacher gave the lesson in English first to serve as an example, but I had a difficult time understanding it (!!!) D: I think I might need to go borrow an English grammar book before attempting to learn Japanese grammar.

Happy, happy, happy!

I feel very happy and fortunate right now. Life has turned 180 for me because it sucked this past week. I felt alone, lost, and overwhelmed by all the work I had. When I am alone, I start to generate many negative thoughts. But many happy things happened to boost my sense of self!

First of all, I received praise from both my art and creative writing professor on my work. I am not highly confident in either area, but it makes me happy that they like it. On Tuesday, a naked pregnant lady came in for drawing. In the beginning, I was like, "Oh my gosh, she's going to be naked naked naked." But it wasn't a big deal at all and I actually enjoyed it very much! I always feel like the short stories I write are crap, but Professor Powers always writes nice comments about each one! I don't know if she sincerely meant them, but I will believe what she writes! Haha.

Second of all, somebody told me today that he respects me! This comment was a casual remark made by someone I just met, but it sent me soaring through the heavens above earth toward cloud nine. I shouldn't have, but I got really excited about it. Excited enough to run to my friend's room across campus to do the happy dance and tell her all about it! Maybe I got excited because 1) He resembles one of my favorite actors and 2) I really respect him as well. He is a very easy person to talk to, which also makes me very happy. There are just some people that are much easier to approach and it feels great to meet people I can easily converse with. It doesn't happen too often!

Someone else has also recently told me that he respects me. However, I did not get as excited about this. Perhaps it is because I feel that this is undeserved respect. I was really surprised because this person constantly bothers me online, but never actually talks to me when he sees me. My friends tell me that he does not approach me because he is shy. He should not be intimidated by me! It is because he doesn't know me that he probably formed the wrong impression of me! Haha.

Third, a close friend told me last night that I am an awesome person to talk to and another friend said the same thing tonight!

And last but not least...my crush came to taiko practice tonight and shared a drum with me! He is seriously the best looking guy and the best dresser I've ever seen in my entire life. He is more attractive than all of the boys in Hawaii. He is more attractive than all of the boys I've seen in school here. He's plain HOT.

Although it was his first time playing, he is very good and had powerful strikes! I hope he comes again and again! I will never miss a single taiko practice this semester!

I am so happy! ヾ(^▽^)ノ

Kayla says I should direct all this happy energy I have toward studying for my economics exam on Friday, but you can see that I got distracted by blogging instead. XP

But I will ACE that exam!

Taiko!

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. :)

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! ^^

Friends @ Willamette

The scariest thought for me is imagining what it would be like if I did not go to Willamette. Until the last minute, I never felt like I truly chose Willamette - it just happened because the other schools became unappealing. I had doubts about whether I was making the right decision to come to Oregon because I came blind, having never visited campus and not knowing anyone at the school. The student population is smaller than my high school and consisted of only 7% Asians. I was worried that I would not be able to make friends who share the same interests as me. All of my close friends in Hawaii chose to stay in Hawaii. I was the only one in the group leaving. It would have been the safe decision.

But I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone because I could not have been more wrong about everything! Everything I was worried about came out to be the exact opposite so it is working out great for me. :)

During the first two months at Willamette, I became so close to four people that it felt like we have been together for years rather than...two months. What would four years feel like? I guess it is different from back home, since we live on campus. We'll be seeing each other whether we like it or not! XD It is strange that many of my friends here are guys, when I barely had any guy friends at home and when there are more girls than boys attending school. In fact, the two people who I feel closest to and who have the most in common with me are guys. But it makes me happy.

In the first two months, we were really clique-y (even named ourselves "AwesomeSauceScooter Gang" or "ASS Gang" for short). They make me laugh so hard and so often, more than I have ever laughed back at home or in my life. We were together almost 24/7. I would return to my dorm to sleep around 2 AM, only to wake up at 7AM to join them for breakfast the next morning. I guess that is the exciting part of college life! There is really no one to tell you what to do; you are responsible for yourself. It makes me happy.

Fortunately, I no longer only stay in my room for five hours to sleep. I know it is not healthy and I would have died if I kept this up. The funny thing is that I felt closer to everyone in the first two months than now. There seems to be a divide in our group between the Hawaii kids and the mainland kids. Again, I am stuck in the middle because I do not like this division at all. I do not like the idea of our group breaking up. Ugh, drama. It always happens.

We did plan a Disneyland trip for spring break. I am hoping it will happen because it would be my first road trip, my first time in California, and my first time at an amusment park. Woot.

I really hope we do not get sick of each other. I really hope I am simply overthinking things because it is the only thing making me sad.

Tigercity

Tigercity came to perform at our school! My sister is a big fan of this group. I remember liking some of their songs, with my favorites being Are you Sensation and Other Girls. ^^ The band was supposed to start playing at 8pm and I arrived at 7:50pm. No one was there! LOL. I learned that indie groups like this will start playing whenever they feel like it. I made a note for future reference not to show up early anymore. XP

It was around 9pm when the music started playing and I felt really awkward because 1) I did not know anybody there except for my roommate and 2) I was at the outer edge of the big circle. None of my friends were familiar with Tigercity, but now I realize that I should have dragged them along anyway!

I knew I had to stay until the end so I danced for about forty minutes before they stopped and Neon Indian came on. I was able to get a picture with the lead vocalist of Tigercity! ^^ They had really nice t-shirts ($20) and CDs ($10). I told him that I didn't have enough money, so he kept discounting the shirt until it was $10! (As long as I didn't tell anybody, haha! Yay!)

They had two CDs on the table and I bought their newest album, Ancient Lover. It is autographed by the lead vocalist and will be shipped to my dear sister in Hawaiiiii! <3

Ohana (Part Two)

During Ohana, we stayed at the 4-H center:



There were about 35 of us, including the Ohana leaders, staying at the Cascara House. There weren't enough beds for everyone upstairs so many boys had to sleep on mattresses in the main room (I felt bad!) We had quite a few deer sightings (very exciting!) but they always leaped away when we came too close. Jordan told Kayla and me stories of Big Foot and how schools in pacific northwest require you to take a class that teaches you how to protect yourself from Big Foot. We had a very difficult time believing him because it just seems so ridiculous!

Monday, August 24, 2009

We toured the campus!



The Star Trees:


I was very excited to finally visit the famous Star Trees! The Star Trees are comprised of five Giant Sequoia trees (the largest trees in the world!) that create a star shape where it meets the sky. Legend says that couples kissing under the tree will experience lasting love. I would love to be kissed under the Star Trees someday! X)


Goudy Commons:

This is where I usually have my meals! They always have really good food (maybe it's a bad thing...) and we have all-you-can-eat meals six days a week. I still haven't learned to control myself because there are so many things I want to eat! In the end, I have to suffer every night with a tummy ache.

More campus pictures? :)



After our tour around school, we went shopping at Lancaster Mall! :)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

On the very next day, we went shopping (AGAIN!) at Woodburn Mall. I bought meeself a sexy pair of water-resistant boots. It is made up of leather (the quality of shoes is very important to me!) and lined with synthetic fur (which is good for me, because I'm usually allergic). I am lovin' the no-sales tax!!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

On this day, we were given the option to switch with another Jump Start activity so I was in NOSOCO, which is a group that did community service. I went to the Chemawa Indian School and beautified their campus by pulling weeds! I remember feeling very lonely, though, because Jordan and Kayla were still in the Ohana group...doing more shopping! XD

Ohana was the best experience I've had in my life! No, not because of the shopping (although, that was fun!) We bonded with everyone, made so many new friends, and created so many memories. The most intimate moment we had together was that one night we all got around in a circle and revealed some personal information about ourselves that we normally would not reveal to others. People mentioned a lot of depressing things, but it was amazing how everyone opened up to the rest of the group. <3

Ohana definitely helped ease the transition of moving to school.It is definitely a nice feeling to walk on campus and be able to greet familiar faces while other freshmen are still unfamiliar with the school and its people.

Ohana (Part One)

I finally found some time to blog! Yay! Only three weeks passed since I arrived in Salem, Oregon, but it felt like months! So much has happened that I don't know where to begin!

I'll start with my flight to Salem, which was horrible, mainly because my parents were being incredibly exasperating. I even broke down and cried because I couldn't take it. I had to tell myself that I only needed to deal with this for a few more hours before they leave. ><

I live in WISH (Willamette International Studies House), which used to be a sorority house:



My new home looks so cute! ^^ When you open the front door, you are immediately greeted by the grand staircase. The chandelier adds to the wonderful ambiance. You can feel like a princess every time you walk up or down those steps. Truthfully, it makes me feel a bit self-conscious!



Since we arrived a bit earlier than the registration time, we got to explore the campus. AND I SAW A SQUIRREL FOR THE FIRST TIME.



I didn't have my camera with me at the time, so I used my cellphone. The camera on my phone loads slowly, so the squirrel was running away by the time I was able to snap the picture. It held an acorn in its hands (awww...)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

On our first day in Ohana(the pre-orientation program), we went on a trip to Portland and visited Powell's (an enormous bookstore that took up an entire city block), the Saturday & Sunday Market, and Uwajimaya (a Japanese department store that kicks ass).

Jordan (from Washington), Kayla (from Hawaii like me), and I raided the manga section at Powell's. The selection actually wasn't that impressive so I was a tad disappointed. But manga is still manga! <3



After the bookstore, we headed to the market, which was alright. I found the people there more interesting than the stands!


Street performers



We still had some time left after we explored all of the stalls so we decided to take a walk down the park. We were not prepared for what we saw as a result of our innocent detour. Apparently, it was National Topless Day. I have no idea if they made this up themselves, but there were a bunch of people sitting together on the grass...naked. A woman approached me and handed me a flyer. I did not realize she was topless until she came closer. That was when I realized that she had painted flowers on her breasts. I didn't take the flyer. (Kyahh!) >_< We continued down the park and saw another naked man heading in our direction. He was riding on a bicycle and carrying a sign that read, "Free your minds! Take off your clothes!" He told us to take it off, but we were like, nuh-uh. Getting naked in public will definitely NOT free my mind...

It was definitely an interesting experience. We met up with the rest of the Ohana gang to take a picture. A random guy (furthest man on the left) also jumped into the picture...just cuz. Portlanders are weird! >__<;



Then it was off to Uwajimaya, where I apparently freaked out.

"You were so excited there, jeez!"

Haha.

But!

You cannot blame me! When we walked through the entrance, there were shelves of Hawaiian chocolates and other local merchandise from Hawaii. Apparently, it was Hawaii Week. It was definitely a pleasant surprise to see stuff from back home! <3


Shelves of goodies

There was a Kinokuniya Bookstore inside Uwajimaya. <3 I spent, like, $72 on Crimson Hero and Aka Chan to Boku manga, a Totoro hat, an adorable coffee mug set for a friend, strawberry snacks, a box of CHOKOBI, and the Ponyo artbook. Fun stuff. I would love to go again again again...!!!

I am happy that Oregon is such a beautiful place. ^^

Fall Course Schedule

Okay, yayy, I finally have my schedule down. :D

CS 141 Introduction to Programming
Mon, Wed, Fri
9:10 am - 10:10 am

JAPN 231 Intermediate Japanese I
Mon, Wed, Fri
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

EXSA 084X Tai Chi
Mon, Wed
12:40 pm - 1:40 pm

IDS 101 College Colloquium - Making the Grade
Tues, Thurs
12:50 pm - 2:20 pm

PSYC 210 Introduction to Psychology
Tues, Thurs
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm