Return to Japan

I came back to Japan in mid April. I was happy to see my parents, sister and niece. Also, I was  happy to eat delicious food. However, I am disappointed with impolite behavior of Japanese and disorder of public rule. Especially, traffic rule is not respected. When I am in a crosswalk, car drivers often ignore pedestrians and pass crosswalk without reducing the speed. Sometimes, they pass even though I'm right on the crosswalk. Bicycle riders are also so rude! There is a narrow sidewalk near my house and there is a plate saying "Walk your bike". However, many people are riding the bike even there are some people on the sidewalk. I sometimes say "please walk your bike". Some people ignore me and go through, and other people say "sorry" but go through. I am irritated about such rude riders and drivers. I am not sure if Japanese were so rude before I left Japan???
I talked with my friend that Japanese moral degenerated in these couple of years. She agreed and said "it's true". We couldn't find the reason why our moral degenerated. When I went to Geneva, Switzerland, I found many good aspects of Japanese. Especially when the Tohoku earthquake happened, I thought that Japanese are good in moral and I was proud of us. Why did they change?

Anyway, I have to live in Japan for the moment and I am Japanese! Little by little, I have to try to ask people around me to behave with good moral. "Priority" lane or seat should be respected. Yes, we lack of "respect" now in Japan.

Now, I would like to change the topic because Japan has many good aspects too.　The best thing in Japan is food (in my opinion).　
Tsukiji is a famous place for Sushi and Fresh fish because there is a market.

Small street in Tsukiji Market, Tokyo

If you go there, you can find good Sushi restaurants. I went to the small Sushi restaurant called "Okame" where we often went when we were freshman of the company (I was working for the computer company after I finished my master's degree). Here is a link of the website of Okame.

Omakase (special) set of Sushi restaurant Okame.

Actually, Sushi is not only Japanese food. I would like to introduce Houtou which is a thick noodle made by wheat flour.

Pumpkin Houtou

It is traditional food from Yamanashi prefecture where my mother's hometown. I went the restaurant called Kosaku with my mom. The restaurant is like an old Japanese house and the scenery from the restaurant was good.

Kosaku (restaurant of Houtou)

Scenery from the restaurant Kosaku.

I remember my grandma made Houtou when I was a child. There were a lot of pumpkin and the taste was wild! It was hot and good for the winter time.

I am looking forward to discovering new food in Nagoya where I will work from June!

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.

Trip to Big Island

Kau Coffee is getting popular these days in Hawaii. Kona coffee has already a reputation in the world but the Kau is not so famous. It is grown around volcano and the taste is actually almost the same level as Kona coffee. Some people says it is even better than Kona coffee. I don't see the big difference and I like both. We found the Kau coffee place on the way to Green Sand Beach.

Kau Coffee factory

 It was fun to talk with the shop keeper. She designed the label of the coffee and her arts are also in the shop. The designed squash (Hyotan in Japanese) was on the table.

Designed squash in the shop of Kau coffee factory

Later, we went to Green Sand Beach and the Hualalai to look for the xenolith of olivine. Xenolith is a name of the rock which magma took from the part of the mantle. Upper mantle include a lot of olivines (peridotite), and so sometimes we can see such green rock in the lava flow. We, geologists are so excited to find such big batch of olivines.

Olivine Xenolith in the Lava flow of Hualalai volcano

 On second day, we had a break as a volcanologist and had a tourism to Waipio Valley. It is not totally volcanological field trip, while it was a chance to see how volcanoes make beautiful scenery. In fact, it is great to see the variety of nature in Big Island. Local people come to the beach in Waipio Valley with a 4WD car and they enjoy beautiful beach. If we had time and swimming suits, we could have swam there! It's my dream to swim there.

Waipio Valley

Even though I visited Big Island many times, I didn't reach petroglyph. I don't know the age of these petroglyphs exactly but I guess it is not so old. It is quite interesting to have such petroglyphs in Hawaii because their language didn't have own characters for writing, someone said. Is it true??? Maybe they had some writing signs even though it was primitive. These petroglyphs remind me of the evolution of Chinese characters.

Petroglyph

象形文字 (http://baike.steelhome.cn/doc-view-8893.html)

 You can compare these characters from ancient china. They are called Shoukei Moji (in Japanese) and 象形文字 (in Chinese and Japanese).  So there was a possibility that they had own characters in Hawaii.

At last, I would like to introduce a food in Big Island. One of the most popular food is "Loco Moco".I heard one senate (Japanese-American guy from Hawaii) liked this Loco Moco at Cafe 100. This time, I ordered "Kilauea Loco Moco" because I am working for Kilauea Volcano! It was with 2 spams, several small sausages... etc. Heavy!!! I couldn't finish it. The amount of the meal was DYNAMIC as volcanic eruption.

Kilauea Loco Moco at Cafe 100

I thought this might be a last chance to visit Big Island before I leave Hawaii. However, there is another chance Next Week! My friend from Japan will visit me and we will again go to Big Island. It is the period of Merry Monarch Festival. It must be crowded but so fun!!!

Eating is the basics

Okonomiyaki

Today, I would like to report my eating habit. This is an Okonomiyaki. It is like a pan cake but much cabbages inside. 

Saba (fish), Goma doufu (sesame tofu), Miso soupe and rice.

This meal is quite complete as a Japanese home style. I like eating fish and vegetables together. I would like to say that I am happy to get ingredients easily in Hawaii because there are a lot of Japanese food store and they are not so expensive.

Spaghetti alle Vongole

I sometimes cook something not Japanese. One of my favorite foods in Italian is "Spaghetti alle vongole". It has garlic and salty taste.

From time to time, I try new food or new restaurant. Especially, I like to know which is the best restaurant for the burger!!! This time, I tried "The Counter" in Kahala shopping mall. My friend kindly drove me there.

My burger @ THE COUNTER in Kahala shopping mall.

It is so fun to make your own burger with your own choice. This time I chose, "Beef 1/3 lb", ''Gruyére (because this is most popular cheese in Switzerland!)", "Lettuces, Sautéed Onion,  Tomatoes and Sprouts", "Chpotle Aioli", "Wheat Bun". One special topping is "Avocado"!!, my favorite topping for the burgers.

The life in Honolulu is not always easy but I can enjoy a lot.

Bon appetite!

Happy Year 2013

I was in Japan for a New Year's Day.
I went back to Japan on 28th December and prepared traditional meal "Osechi" with my mother and father. Here is our Osechi and Zouni.

Osechi in Ju-bako and Zouni, soup with Mochi.

 Osechi is in the box called "Oju" or "Jubako". There are three "Ju"s. The first is a "Ichi no Ju", the second is "Ni no Ju" and the third is "San no Ju". I put sweet food such as "Kuromame (black beans)", "Kuri-Kinton (Chesnuts)" and "Datemaki (Omelet with Fish paste)" in "Ichi no Ju". There are some salty food and soir food such as "Kazunoko (Fish egg of Nishin)", "Namasu (Vinegared radish and carrot)" and "Renkon (Vinegared lotus root)". All cooked vegetables (cooked with Japanese soup "Dashi" and soy sauce) are in the third "San no Ju".

 Zouni is a soup with vegetables, some meat and Mochi. Mochi is very important. Almost everywhere in Japan, we eat Zouni which is soup with Mochi. Mochi is a paste made from sticky rice. We have so many variation of Zouni soup but we are sure to have some Mochi inside.

Toso (Sake with some spice)

We also have Toso in the morning of new year's days. "San ga nichi" is new year's days from 1st - 3rd January. Toso is sake with some spice. We can buy "Tososan" which spice for Toso at the pharmacy. You see such beautiful pot and sake cup which is called "Sakazuki".

I was so happy to have a new year's day with my parents in Japan because the day is so special for Japanese and it is a day for family (I think). I couldn't come back to Japan last year because I was working for my PhD thesis.

Now, I have a new life. It is not really easy... I was disappointed from time to time last year. I couldn't like a place where I live. However, now I am feeling one thing is very important... HAPPINESS.

It is miracle to be here without any big health problem or any serious problem of family. I have many good friends and we support each other. I have also nice colleagues, now. However, I know that people can easily die. I thought so when my grandmother died. I felt so when my senior died. When I read one book, I really regret that I had considered to suicide myself. I should live and enjoy as much as possible. I have to appreciate my life! The best way to appreciate my life is to feel the happiness, I think.

Sometimes, I can't feel happiness.  I complain a lot and just feel that I am so miserable. NO, I am quite LUCKY!!! My friend made me realize so in the beginning of this year. I appreciate him too.


This year, I would like to try to feel happiness as much as possible. I would like to smile as much as possible. I would like to look for the happiness without complaining my situation. I wish everybody's happiness as well.

Greeting to everyone...

 All the best in your year 2013!!

Christmas in Hawaii (with HULA!)

This is the first time for me to have Christmas in HOT place. Here in Hawaii, they also celebrate Christmas. (For me, it is bizarre to be so warm and sunny in Christmas season).

Christmas tree in front of Ward Center

You can see the blue sky with a Christmas tree. Hmmm, it's summer Christmas.

The entrance of Ward Cinema.

There is a wreath, too.

I came to Ward Center in Honolulu because I wanted to see the Hula dance show.
My friend started to take the lesson of Hula with me (!) and I quit it the second time. But she continues and she is now a good hula dancer. Her Hula school showed up at the stage of Ward Center.

Hula dance of children 1

Hula dance of youngest dancers. So cute!

Hula dance of children 2. Their technique is great and they are pretty.

Here is an adult Hula. My friend is in this group.

Oldest girls? Very beautiful!

In general, I like to see Hula dances. This time, I enjoyed a lot because this is Christmas version. Costumes are decorated and musics are Christmas songs. I don't know the titles of the musics but some of them are Hawaiian Christmas songs. The lyrics about the Christmas in Hawaii. Some musics are also in Hawaiian language. I should have learned the language. As the Hula expression includes a lot of pantomimes with meanings, it must be fun to understand the lyrics and the mime at the same time. Anyway, it was heart warming show in hot Hawaiian shopping center. After the show, I enjoyed the lunch of "Kua'aina" Hamburger with avocado. It's my favorite hamburger. Mmmmmm, delicious!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS !!

Presentation of Ballerinas

I would like to introduce my friends from the same ballet school where I take ballet classes.
This school had a show at the Ala Moana shopping center last Friday. They prepared for more than two months. My teacher kindly suggested me to dance on the stage but I couldn't as I traveled a lot this autumn.
Anyway, here are some photos from the show.

 I loved beautiful costumes. They are hand made by teachers and mothers. What a great job!

Fishes

 I recognized music of cute honey bees. ?? What's this?? I can dance with this music but not the same choreography. Wow, this music was a music for my dance show when I was seven years old. It was my second stage. I started to use point shoes in that show. After that I had a problem with my foot and I didn't dance for eight years until I decided to come back to the ballet class at the age of 15.

Honey bees

You can see my teacher with also black and yellow costume to help youngest dancers (pretty!). She is a great teacher. She is always optimistic and cheerful. She pointed out my weakness and I improved a lot. I really thank her.

Mermaids

 They are mermaids. My friend was in this group. She is an adult woman but she is taking the classes with girls. I was happy that she danced on the stage. I respect her because she is diligently taking classes and enjoying ballet a lot! 

Neapolitan from Swan lake

 From Neapolitan, they are my class mates. Their skills are quite high. Their smiles were so goood!!

Variation of Aurora from Sleeping Beauty

 Here is our star, dancing Aurora. This variation is famous for happy pretty dance. She is the best person to dance this variation, I think.

Variation from Le Corsaire

 Another heroine danced the beautiful and dynamic variation from Le Corsaire. When I was a teenager, my friend danced this variation in the presentation. At that time, I dreamed "One day, I will dance this!".  You can imagine how this dance is attractive!

Pas de Trois

 Again, my class mates. They are great! Look, their timing of arabesque is perfect!

Finish!

To have a great teamwork, you have to be humble and respect others. You cannot skip classes easily. So, I respect them a lot. They smiled in the show. But just before the show, they were so tired by having hard schedules with many classes. I couldn't believe they showed such pretty smile.
Great job! Well done!!!