Bon Dance

This was my Saturday night. Bon Dance, under the paper lanterns and stars. Bon dance is a traditional Japanese dance and an important part of the present day culture in Hawaii. In Hawaii the Bon season runs during the summer and is free of charge. It is a great way to experience the modern day Hawaiian and ancient Japanese culture. The dance steps reveal a lot about Japanese culture. I personally had a beautiful experience last night re-connecting with my culture and heritage. You do not have to know the movements-simply follow the person in front of you. Come with an open mind and heart. Bonzai!

Are adults and children really any different from one another?

My mom tells me I'm acting like an adult now, but the more I think about it I have to disagree with her. Just because I enjoy shopping with her in the Women's (opposed to the junior section) section in Macy's or reading Shape magazine (opposed to Seventeen magazine) doesn't mean I'm any more mature than I was when I was 12. I'd like to think that a part of being an adult is having more courage and self-acceptance, but I'm beginning to realize that adults are just really big kids.

The monster in the closet just takes a new form. The difference between children and adults is that adults try to barricade the closet with their ego, while children actually admit their fear of this mind-created monster. Children are actually the braver ones; they instinctually admit the fear and use love to overcome it. A simple cuddle is all it takes to remove the monster of fear residing in theirs heads. Adults cower away from any affection and choose to run away from whatever monster they have created in their mind.

I'm beginning to really notice how often fear starts creeping into my and my family's life. I thought I stopped frequently stressing out about unimportant things, but really I'm just revisiting my insecure, worry wart 12 year self. I still worry about getting the highest grades and having the best looks and smallest waistline and an amazing boyfriend. My worries now are exactly the same. I can't wait to deal with taxes...

Childhood is really the best time of human beings life. Children confront, accept and overcome their fears to enjoy life. I miss being able to play without the need for victory to spoil a light game of tennis, I miss being able to live in the moment. I miss the ignorance, indifference and innocence. Being adult should not include abandoning your inner child. That person will guide you through your most darkest time. There is nothing wrong with using the night-light now and then.

Should Summer Boredom Exist?

Do you remember when there wasn't a reason to bury our heads in our I-Phones, I-Pads,Laptops and T.Vs? Believe it or not, the items listed above didn't exist at one point in time.For hundreds of years, people have found ways to entertain themselves without modern technology. Why is it that this generation of people--supposedly more intelligent and innovative are so dependent on a gadget for amusement? Think back to the 1990's, the very first Mac Desktops were equipped with nothing but slow, dial up internet, and a word processing program. My dad rarely used the computer and my mother didn't even own a computer. I barely looked at the computer. It is definitely possible to find non-technological entertainment; it has been done before. Why is it so hard for us to tear our faces away from brightly lit screens and face the naturally glowing sun? Slow, summer days, have no reason to exist. Yes, I realize this entry is a contradiction to my assertions, but it is the best tool for conveying my opinions and realizations.
I spent my first ten years of life like many other children at the time outside at the park or with toys. The days always flew past me; To my surprise the glorious mornings would always, somehow, fade away into an evening sunset. To me breakfast and dinner were separated by minutes. As much as I love emerging into an adult, I miss the innocent, imaginative, care-free world of my childhood. I miss being easily amused and entertained.
Today has been a typical teenage summer boredom day. We've all experienced this. Parents are at work, leaving you without a car, and somehow all of your closest friends are busy. Just my luck...When I was young child, this would have been the best day ever! I would have been playing with Samantha, Kit Molly, and even Barbie! All day, eating whatever I wanted to! But now, I mope around the house, melting my brains with my I-Pod, Laptop and T.V. This mind-numbing rotation of technical devices made me think about my childhood days and I went straigtht to the closet to resurrect my American Girl and Barbie Dolls. It was like leaping into a time machine-I was immediately transported back into my playroom with my toy friends. I suddenly remembered all the imaginative, spontaneous plot lines and stories I would invent for the dolls and the different voices I'd supply them with.
Why does growing up imply the sacrifice of childhood imagination, curiousity and openness? Why does society urge us to abandon all of those great qualities? I strive to have a balance of imaginative child qualties and responsible, mature adult qualities. Life is a balancing act. Everyday this statement is becoming increasingly true.

Books Bring People Together

In my last day of my English class, our professor concluded the course by saying "books bring people together." The power of words can bring about change, affect the way we think about ourselves and others as well entertaining and educating us. Next time you think about going on facebook or watching t.v considering picking up a book and allow yourself to think deeply about what the author is trying to convey and see how you feel about their message.

Head Candy

Today on my way back to school I hopped into a taxi to find a nice, inspiring man driving me safely back to campus. The first few minutes of the ride was a typically awkward taxi ride, but he after one long light he apologized for the long wait and pointed out how poorly the roads are in Tacoma. This lead to me discussing my academic plans, of double majoring English and theatre. His first reaction, was like many, what are you going to do with that? teach? And I confidently replied, yes. What amazed me was when he revealed how jealous he was of me and his dreams of studying classic literature and philosophy and consuming 'head candy,' pleasing and enjoyable treats for the mind. For financial reasons he didn't continue onto college and really wished he had. He wished he was in my position, to explore any academic territory without any fears of what others will think or succumb to financial pressures. He made me realize how fortunate I am. Not everyone can study what they want to, or even have the freedoms to choose what they want to do with their lives without societal or financial pressures. I feel fortunate that I won't spend my life wishing I was able to invest my time in something that interests me, unlike my taxi driver. I admire his courage to even admit his longtime desire to a total stranger. English is 'head candy' for him, consumed sparingly, but for me, its a 'head meal,' its what fuels and drives me and what ultimately keeps me going in life.

Immortality of Words

Last weekend I saw The Pillowman written by Martin McDonagh on my campus. Before seeing the seeing produced by fellow theatre students, I have read the play and am familiar with its dark plot. I was originally expected to be reminded of the horrific scenes in the play, but instead, I had surprisingly inspired. Behind the gruesome tradegy of the play, is a beautiful theme of immortality of words and the universal fight of writers to ensure that their words live on when they don't. As a newly declared English and theatre major, this really really struck cord of inspiration. It made me think of how meaningful my words are, whether spoken or written and the power of art. Art and language are what separates humans from animals. For the next three years and beyond, I will spread this truth with my studies.

Also, on a unrelated note, last night I had an illuminating thought that everyone around me is a buddha like figure. I have been learning many insightful things from a lot of different people. College truly is the place of immense knowledge and personal growth. It hit me last night how incredibly lucky I am to be be at such a fitting university.

Being in the Zone of Life

Firstly, I had an memorable spring break in Orlando, Florida with my tennis team. During this trip I had a insightful talk with my coach. A simple technique question led to great inspiration. He told me that the right brain controls motion and physical action in the body. When I play I tend to over analyze and stress out. The reason I lose some of my matches is because I let my left brain have more control of me than my right brain. In tennis, and life, its important to equally use the right and left brain. In tennis, when hitting a shot, the right brain needs to emerge to give you fluidity and unconscious control. When the right brain is functioning and when you allow it to function, you are able to enter "the zone." The popular term "in the zone" applies on and off court.
The ego lives in the left side of brain. If we use too much of the left side (as I do) unnecessary stress develops. Being 'in the zone' is when you strike a perfect balance between right and left. Your ride side gives you the freedom to make mistakes and not punish yourself for; it allows you to fully express yourself without any hesitation. While the left side allows you assess your judgment and actions as a final detail. So let yourself live! Your left side will jump in if you go a little too crazy.