Leaving Hawaii

I left Hawaii on 15th April. On the day before, my friends from our university came to have a drink with me even though it was heavily raining. I appreciate their kindness!!　

For leaving Hawaii, I felt a lot of warmth of my friends and colleagues.

My group of work prepared a BIG chocolate cake with a volcanic PLUME (steam). It was very nice to receive a present and a card with their messages! I had days sometimes difficult work there, but I could obtained nice friends and colleagues. I won't forget days with them!!!

Chocolate cake for my farewell party

The ballet school where I danced (Alive Ballet Academy), I wanted to have photos of them. This ballet school is so friendly and the level of dancing was very goood! They were like a family and I was accepted as the family. My teacher Ms. Maria proposed me to teach the ballet. I appreciate her suggestion though it didn't make true because I left Hawaii just after she suggested me. It might be great if I can teach ballet as I love ballet and I love them!
If I could come back to Hawaii in the future, I would like to teach ballet. So I promise not to quit dancing. I dream of coming back to Hawaii with a better technique of ballet (I will have ballet classes in Japan!)

Our ballet family!

With Ms. Maria

Dr. Sakai is a therapist of Thought Field Therapy (http://www.tftcenter.com). I went to see her because I had a mental problem. I had a little bit of difficulty after I moved to Hawaii. And so my Japanese friend recommend me to see Dr. Sakai.
It was very efficient therapy for me. I shed a lot of tears when I saw her for the first time, and I washed away my sadness and depression. I regained my energy for the work after this session.
Actually, she is a person who experienced a lot of difficulty of her life. And she became a very helpful person after she had overcome her problem. She went many places such as an area after the genocide or natural disaster. She saved me, too! I shed tears again because of her warm heart, this time. (I can't introduce her words of the last session, as it was very personal, sorry)
Now, I am thinking to learn how to arrange  TFT for others. In fact, I would like to help someone. This is maybe the way TFT spreads in the world. I think it is amazing that I want to help someone else now!! When I had a depression, I couldn't think about someone else at all. I was very selfish at that time. She changed me. I have now a positive energy to go forward slowly.



I am grateful for everybody I met in Hawaii.

THANK YOU!!

Last Trip to Big Island

 I went to many times to Big Island (Hawaii Island), but this is the last chance during this stay (1 year from April 2012) in Hawaii. The trip in March supposed to be a last trip, but I got another chance to visit Big Island because my friend came to Hawaii for her vacation and she wanted to visit Big Island. She asked me to show the volcano which I worked for one year. Yes, I showed her the fantastic nature of this volcano!

The last shot of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

We looked Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the overlook beside the Jagger Museum. Do you know Dr. Jagger ?? He is a founder of the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. Last year (2012) was a 100th year for Hawaii Volcano Observatory and they made memorial coins of quarters.

Memorial quarter for 100 years of Hawaii Volcano Observatory

We also looked my field (Pu' Puai/Kilauea Iki) and Thurston Lava tube.
The day we went to the Volcano National Park, we were very tired to arrive at a hotel in Kona because we couldn't find the hotel in Hilo side. It was because of Merrie Monarch Festival. It must have been great if I could see the festival. It is the top Hula competition in Hawaii! I love to see the Hula dance. Anyway, do you know how long does it take from the Volcano national park to Kona??
We took more than two and a half hours. When we arrived at the hotel, it was already around 8pm.  The road was dark and narrow... Next time, I strongly wish to have an accommodation in Hilo side or close to the volcano.

By the way, it has been 10 years since I visited Kona town last time. It was the time I came to attend the conference called Cities on Volcanoes 3. We went to see the Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National History park. It was nice to see the traditional Hawaiian site. Especially, I was happy to see the place related to Queen Ka'ahumanu and King Kamehameha 1st. Actually, I started to like the history and culture in Hawaii because I read the book about the bibliography of King Kamehameha 1st (Link to the amazon of this book). It is written in Japanese by Japanese author (it's a pity that English speakers can't read this). Their life was romantic and dramatic if the book tells the truth. 
 This time, we didn't visited the national historical park but visited the Hulihee Palace in Kona. We can't see the inside of the palace, but the building itself was beautiful and modern. I deamed to live in such beautiful house. In fact, it was not very very big palace.

Hulihee palace

 In Kona, we had relaxing time. We stayed at the cafe next to the ocean for a while... What a peaceful moment! (compare to the hard driving the night before).

The scenery from the cafe by the sea

 As my friend wanted to buy the Kona coffee, we visit several coffee shops in Kona. We found one shop and talked with a shop keeper. He explained some coffee types and gave us tasting samples. It was fun to listen to his talk. I dream to live in Big Island and have an organic farm. So it must be nice to have a contact of a guy who knows how to cultivate the land, I thought. His explanation was interesting and the coffee was good although I prefer stronger taste like European style espresso. (I got addicted to the espresso when I was in Geneva, Switzerland). 

Joe (a shop keeper of the coffee shop: right) and me (left).

My friend liked Big Island very much. She said that we had a supporting god during the travel. Maybe... yes. I always feel so fun to see around in Big Island. I am impressed nature and history each time I visit Big Island. I hope I can come back to Big Island someday.

Happy Easter Holiday

Pineapple train of Dole Plantation

On Easter Sunday, we went to Dole Plantation in Oahu Island. A train called "Pineapple express" is a popular excursion of this park. Children like this train which goes through the pineapple field. So, we went there for my friend's daughter. They are very happy family and I really love to hang around with them.

My friend and his daughter waiting for the train

Family photo in the train "Pineapple express"

Do you know that pineapples are so delicious in Hawaii? Yes, it is very good because they are gathered when they are almost ripe. It's nice for us to have a piece of pineapple just after getting off the train. And another popular thing in Dole Plantation is Pineapple ice cream. I love it!

 

 

I am holding a pineapple ice cream (Waffle Cone $4.95)

Actually, the history of Hawaii is related to the pineapple and sugar cane fields. Many people came to Hawaii from Asian countries including Japan. I heard somewhere that the condition of labors were not so good.  They worked hard and feel the gap with their dream. Most of people from Japan expected to have easier life in Hawaii and that's why they decided to come to Hawaii. I was very happy to eat such delicious ice cream. However, the taste of history of pineapple plantation was a little bitter.

Anyway, the daughter of my friend were very happy with the train and ice cream. We shared two ice creams, but they ordered another one as it was so delicious!

After we get back to Honolulu, I introduced my boyfriend to them. This was the first time for me to introduce my boyfriend to someone else. So, it became unforgettable day for me.

Happy Happy Easter!!

Aiming higher

Finally, I leave Hawaii on next Monday.
It is the moment I feel a lot of things.
I have to say good bye to many people for the moment and so I am a little sentimental.
For my work, I also think many things.

Last year, I had good motivation for my new project. It was great to see many people in Hawaii and to discuss with people in similar field and different field. However, I had a difficulty as well. My supervisor said that I can't use the data which I supposed to analyze. Maybe it was just because the data was not yet available, but I felt it was a political problem. Actually, I couldn't clarify the truth and I lost much motivation for my new project.

However, nature saved my motivation.

Halemaumau Crater in the day

Halemaumau Crater in the night

Halemaumau crater, which erupted in 2008 (most recent eruption), still emits hot gas. During the night, we can see red color because there is a hot lava lake in the crater. I was very happy to see such mysterious nature.
Even though I worked for simple tasks in the field such as digging, measuring bombs and taking grain-size sample, I feel happy to be on the volcano.

Digging the ground to take out the volcanic bomb

My field work is not fancy at all!!

Today, I discussed again with one guy. He gave me a good advice to work as a researcher. He is quite cheerful person as well. I am actually very honored to discuss with him because he is an specialist in numerical modeling of volcanic eruption. I asked him about the support, but he can't support me as he is already retired. However, he said that he recommends me to be independent ... with a smile.

"Wow, it must be great to be independent!", I thought. I was pouting like a small child when I lost some motivation for the work. If I will be independent, I don't need to rely on someone and pout like a child. I can be an adult as a researcher. And... it is possible, I thought.

I made an mind. I aim to be independent as a researcher. Aiming higher!!!

A journey

Poster picture of "A journey" the performance of ballerinas from Allive Ballet Center

The story was...
Three young mermaids leave their watery home for the outside world on the advice of a lying shark. By the end of their adventures, the trio learns the key to the true meaning of happiness. 

The ballerinas performed on the stage of Paliku Theater, in the Windward community college on Saturday 31st. And I went there for helping them. I was very happy to be involved in this show. Actually, I wanted to perform by myself but it was difficult for me to have time to prepare.Therefore, I wanted to be in the supporting side of the show. My role was a chaperon of little ballerinas. It was fun to be with them. At first, they have just ignored me but later that they started to talk with me. I was happy only with this fact.
The scenery of backstage reminds me of my childhood. I also danced ballet on the stage when I was 5, 7 and 16 years old. I didn't know that it is hard to take care of children in backstage. At that time, my mother was taking care of my sister and me. And she worked as a leader of all chaperons when I was 16 years old because she had an experience of several stages of us. I feel grateful for her now.

The show itself was really impressive. They danced very well. I even noticed how they improved their basic skills of dancing. Also the production and the staging was nice because my ballet teacher Maria worked hard for that. I liked the background with water and fishes. It was a pity that I couldn't take the picture as it was prohibited.

I got a nice picture with my friend. She started ballet recently and she worked so hard. Now her dance is beautiful! I am very impressed her presentation. She improved not only the skill of steps but also the way of showing.

My friend and me

She introduced me this ballet school and I am sure that this is a best ballet school in Honolulu. It is very important to have an enthusiastic and encouraging  teacher. Plus ... everybody enjoys dancing!

Here, I can feel that everybody likes dancing. I only have two weeks in Honolulu. Maybe I can take only two classes or three classes at this ballet school. I would like to enjoy dancing as much as possible!!!

One of the most beautiful sisters in out school

At last... I'd like to introduce our star sisters. There are many beautiful ballerinas in our school but I just got a picture of one of them. Thank you for the nice performance to all ballerina performed on Saturday.