It is Saturday. My favorite day of the week, yet I feel so… unwell.

In mind, body and spirit.

One of those days when I feel like staying in bed for as long as possible. And I did.

Missed karate.
Missed enjoying the afternoon with the Hubby.
Missed a family gathering with the in-laws.
Missed being happy.

Am I missing something? Missing life.

Is it possible to be thankful for something, yet be so completely miserable doing it that you dream of what could be if you just… quit?

I hope this passes. Maybe it’s just cyclical. Maybe not.

Summer is so fleeting.

I’m one of those people that determines that summer begins with the first bon dance — and ends with the last (even though the last bon dance is called the “Autumn Matsuri”). By my calendar, summer ended last week Saturday.

The last bon dance of 2006 was held on September 16 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center. This particular bon dance is unique as it is held indoors. Although it lacks the charm of outdoor obon festivals that are marked by dancing around the yagura under the stars by the light of the chochin lanterns, it is nice to have the luxury of air conditioning and shelter from the elements. It rained this year, so I was especially thankful for the indoor venue.

Apparently, bon dancing has grown in popularity and this bon dance was very well attended in comparison to years passed. This year’s highlight (besides the dancing, of course) was the super sweet corn that the Young Okinawans were selling. Brushed in butter and delicately crunchy, it was so delightfult that I couldn’t eat just one. It always comes back to food, doesn’t it?

Here’s a little video clip of me (wearing the red hapi coat and the cheesy smile) and Mahealani (in yellow) dancing one of our favorites, “Tenyo Tenyo.” Unfortunately, we always seem to find ourselves without flags, but the hand motions are adequate enough for us.

Where did the summer go?

Lovin’ this week’s Friday 5! What do you say?

1. At what time of day are you most capable of producing your best work?
Early evening, around 7:00 - 10:00 pm. (Notice: Not during normal “work hours.” Go figure.)

2. When you have lots of things to get done, are you more likely to get all of one thing done before moving on, or to do a little of one thing, a little of another, and a little of still another?
I tend to multi-task, but I often feel that this isn’t the most productive way to accomplish things. It’s often done out of necessity, but other times just because of a short attention span or boredom with a particular task.

3. Do television and music help you or hinder you when you’ve got work to do?
Music helps, TV hinders. When I was in high school, I used to be able to do my homework with my stereo blaring heavy metal as I sang along with every single word and played air guitar and drums. Now, I prefer music without words if my task requires deep concentration or if I am writing a particularly difficult paper.

4. When you realize you’re working inefficiently, are you more likely to grit your teeth and power through it anyway, or to put it all down and come back to it when the vibe is better?
If I have the time, I will put it down and come back to the task later when I am more focused. If I’m not seeing results at what I consider a reasonable rate, I will get frustrated and that becomes counterproductive. However, if a deadline is looming, I’ll put my nose to the grindstone and get it done.

5. What are your ideal working conditions?
Working on my iMac in my den with the air conditioner running, some smooth jazz playing softly in the background and a steaming cup of matcha green tea on my desk.

Coordinating a 2-day conference is no easy feat. If I felt like I had the whole world on my shoulders before, now it feels like the entire universe.

I happen to be reading through the book of Romans and on the day that I felt at wit’s end, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, I stumbled across this familiar passage:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us.”
– Romans 5:3-5

That verse was for me, for that moment just when I needed it.

I just pray that in the midst of these times that I can still maintain a good witness. Sometimes stress gets the better of me and I find myself looking more like the downtrodden Eeyore than one who should be reflecting Philippians 4:13 (”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”).

I wonder what the Lord is preparing me for? It must be something good. Right?

Better late than never, I say…

Courtesy of the Friday5.org:

1. Do you drink enough water?
If it’s possible to drink too much water, I would be guilty of it.

2. Where’s the nearest swimmable body of water?
The swimming pool in my townhouse complex about a 2 minute walk from my front door.

3. When did you learn to swim?
I didn’t. I nearly drowned at age 7 and have been struggling to overcome the phobia ever since.

4. How do you feel about rain?
I love rain, especially when I’m in bed, listening to it pattering outside my window. I don’t mind being in it, if I have an umbrella. One of my favorite things to do is take a walk with Hubby in a summer rainstorm with large, warm droplets of rain falling on my face.

5. What are your thoughts on bottled water?
It boggles my mind that bottled water would cost more than other beverages (soda, for example), but I can appreciate having it available when on the go.

About midday, a text message arrived on my wireless phone: FedEx delivered […] HI, US 11:39 AM.

The iMac had arrived.

A busy evening of work-related shopping was ahead, so I picked up the Hubs and left the iMac in its original brown box, undisturbed. When we got back, Hubby helped me do a musical chairs act with the computers in the den. His computer, an old Dell would be given to a friend. My Dell would be passed down to the Hubby. (”I always get the hand-me-downs,” he says. In this case, it’s not a bad deal. The computer is still performing in top shape, a P4 3GHz Dell with 1 GB of RAM. Albeit, still prone to its typical Windoze flakiness periodically.) After we dealt with the tangle of cables and dust bunnies under the desk and got the PC’s situated, we unveiled the iMac.

The 24″ screen is HUGE! Also, since it’s white, it’s a stark contrast to the black office furniture that I have — unlike the PC that completely blended in. Not that I’m complaining, no… because the iMac is so aeshetically pleasing that it almost becomes a centerpiece for the room.

Now, I just have to learn how to use it.

So far, I’ve downloaded the IM app Adium and a neat tool for Flickr: 1001. After I do my homework, I will allow myself the diversion and go through Richie’s consummate list of must-have Mac applications. A world of coolness yet to discover — I’m so excited! Thanks, Derek and Richie for helping make my transition a little smoother!

This Saturday, I am scheduled to take my next belt test in Karate. Of course, like every exam I take, I am cramming. I’m reviewing the kata video on the Internet and practicing in front of my computer. In my zeal, I executed a perfect front snap kick — right into the corner of my keyboard tray.

Don’t worry, the keyboard tray is unscathed. (The kick must have not been that perfect.) However, the big toe on my right foot is killing me. I hope it’ll be okay by Saturday; I already have enough working against me without an injured little piggy being a factor.

If there were a style called “Klutzy Karate,” I would be a black belt. *sigh*