Only 1000 yen!, originally uploaded by Champuru.

I’ve started going through my old photos and will be posting them little by little to my Flickr account, mainly for archival purposes but also for the nostalgia factor. I’m presently on the Japan series and will be there for a while as I linger and yearn for another opportunity to return.

I felt like I barely survived my Life Sciences course, so I was surprised to discover that my final grade was a B+. I consider this quite an accomplishment considering I was afraid that I might not even pass the class. In all honesty, I didn’t do my best work in that class and put forth perhaps 75% effort (thanks to work-related stress and subsequent illness), so naturally, I expected a grade in the 70-something percentile. Of course, I’m not complaining and am delighted to have received the B+.

My current course of study is a communications class, focusing on communication in the virtual workplace. Needless to say, it has whet my appetite for finding a job that would allow me to telecommute. It made me nostalgic for the days in the early 90’s when I was fortunate enough to be a “virtual employee” and had the pleasure of working from home and being able to do business in my pajamas for nearly a year. Job duties included chatting online, monitoring discussion boards and games, handling payments/credits, and tech support. (For real!) I seriously need a job like that again, especially if/when we ever have children. I would like to be a stay-at-home mom and still be able to bring home a portion of the bacon, as the cost of living in Hawaii is ridiculous and surviving on a single income is nearly impossible.

Anyone looking for a good virtual employee? I’m your woman!

Okay, back to reality.

Needless to say, it’s been pretty painful lately.

I find it pretty darned sad that I can relate to so many of these attractive lithographs. Cynical, moi?

It’s funny how God uses other people to speak audibly when you’re having trouble hearing His still, small voice.

After an utterly horrendous day at the office yesterday, I felt completely disheartened and frustrated. I felt like an inefficient, unorganized, and unproductive clod. Why does it feel like I’m constantly rushing, yet I feel like I don’t accomplish anything? It’s like a hamster running on the wheel — going nowhere fast. After feeling downtrodden all day and dreaming about work all night, I lay in bed in my first moments of wakefulness this morning and lifted up a desperate prayer for help through the day.

Today, I had several people ask me how I am doing in my new position and offered me completely unsolicited words of encouragement. One person said, “you’re the right person for the job.” Another, in a completely separate encounter said, “I’m glad you got the position.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but in hindsight, I think it was God’s little way of telling me to hang in there.

There must be something to the date: 06/06/06.

I had the worst day at work today. Ever. In the entire history of the world. (Or at least my world, that is.) Absolutely miserable.

I’m glad that 06/06/06 only comes around once, oh, cursed date.

I knew I should’ve called in sick. Oh yeah, I can’t. I’m still on stinking probation. I’m going to attempt to OD on my codeine cough syrup now and try to get some sleep. Bah, humbug.

This is the second cold I’ve succumbed to in three months. It’s ironic that previous to that, I hadn’t caught a cold in over a year since my tonsillectomy. However, it seems that a job change and a re-enrollment back in school sent my immune system headed for the hills. I am certain that my heightened stress level is a key factor in my being a germ magnet as of late. I really need to make a concerted effort to live a healthier lifestyle with stress management as an integral part of that.

As a side note, I have also learned that going to the doctor as soon as possible is key. Decongestants and cough syrups are a godsend when calling in sick is not an option.

Oh, and since I’m complaining about my body, I might as well tell you that I woke up on Sunday morning with a terrible pain in my right calf. Bon dance injury, perhaps? Gosh, it sucks to get old. Fortunately, after dragging my foot around behind me like Egor for half a day, a vigorous massage from the Hubby and generous amounts of Tiger Balm loosened the muscle and I was back in business.

Anyway, it’s past my bedtime and I should be sleeping so that I can get over this cold sooner rather than later. Oddly enough, the codeine cough syrup had the opposite effect on me and I feel more awake now that I normally do when I’m not on the drug. Pray for health. Goodnight!

Waipahu Cultural Gardens Bon Dance
More photos on my Flickr site

The bon dance at the Waipahu Cultural Gardens (a.k.a. “Hawaii’s Plantation Village”) marks the opening of the bon dance season in Hawaii. The 2006 bon dance season commenced on June 3rd this year.

As twilight descends over Waipahu, the historic sugar mill fades into the distance, and the sound of taiko drums and plunking sanshin fill the air. The breeze is light and the humidity hangs thick in the atmosphere, reminding me of summer nights in Okinawa and makes me wish I could go back for another visit.

I am not a Buddhist. I am, in fact, a Christian. I attend bon dances each year not for the religious aspect, but for the cultural experience. I feel closest to my culture when I am donning a hapi coat in the bon dance circle amongst friends, dancing to old familiar tunes that I have heard since my earliest days on mom’s phonograph, sans the popping and scratches of the needle on those old LP’s.

I am looking forward to a full calendar ahead, packed with weekends of dancing into the evening, eating BBQ sticks and spam musubi as we watch the sun set over the chochin (paper lanterns) and enjoy the fun and fellowship of this wonderful cultural tradition.

Daddy and Me
See the resemblance?

Thank you to Hubby, Joyce, Shari, and Pops for sharing this enjoyable evening with me. Hubs even danced the 20-minute “Fukushima Ondo” with me! Hubs is da bombdiggity.