Crazy weekend #4 cont. - Hanami

Trip Start Jul 26, 2008
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Trip End Aug 06, 2009


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Flag of Japan  , Tohoku,
Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Yesterday, I went to a hanami in Sanuma.  I'm forgetting the park's name right now, but it was a nice place on top of a hill.  I don't know if I got to enjoy the sakura properly because there was a lot of catching up with people I hadn't seen for a while and taking care of emergencies.  However, there was a surreal and beautiful moment when the wind picked and blew the sakura petals everywhere.  The Japanese call it "pink snow" because that's what it look like.  This is the kind of stuff that inspires poetry (I didn't get a chance to write).  Even though the traditional hamami food is dango, I enjoyed the barbecue.  It's been a while since I've had barbecue.

I also got invited to a tea ceremony, which was a cool experience.  It's really difficult sitting in seiza for more than 10 minutes though.  Either my hips hurt or my feet fall asleep.  Anna, Michael X, and I got talked into doing karaoke in front of everyone (yes, they had karaoke at the park).  Michael was still at the tea ceremony so Yuki filled in.  They sang "Sakura" by Kobukuro.  I wish I knew "Sakura Addiction" from Katekyo Hitman Reborn! or "Sakurairo Maukoro" by Mika Nakashima better.  Instead, I stuck with my signature song, "Glamorous Sky".  We got tissue boxes as presents for our participation.

After the hanami, the ALTs and our new and old Japanese friends went to karaoke.  It was fun singing with a slightly different crowd.  Some of us went to okonomiyaki afterwards and talked about a lot of things.  I don't really remember what since I was getting tired.  I would've remedied that had I not gotten stressed about going back home.  Part of me is starting to regret not recontracting because my family drives me insane.  However, I need to learn how to deal with my frustration and anger so I'm stuck in a Catch-22.

I was antsy was work today though.  I'm counting down the hours until I see Alice Nine.  While browsing around, I found an old interview asking them about their inspirations behind their first album.  Shou said that when he heard the music for "Q. (Question)", he thought of mitochondria.  That was the springboard for the lyrics.  I think I am going to have to marry the man because even I, a biochem-cell bio/English double major, don't think that way!  Like I said in my previous post, I feel really connected to the band when I read their interviews and commentary.  For example, Tora always projects the image of the cool lead guitarist.  It was hard for me to connect with him until I read some of his more open interviews (sometimes he'll give very enigmatic answers) about his childhood and teenage years.  His answers were very thoughtful and touching.  I also came across a video clip where he basically broke down into tears at the end of a live because it was the first time his parents came to see him.  I think I would do the same the day my parents supported me.  I really love Alice Nine for their honesty.

Anyway, that made work hard, but having energy was good when dealing with the new 1st years.  They are much more enthusiastic than I remember from their time as 6th graders.  I suppose they needed the change from elementary to junior high.  The familiarity also helps.  I hope they stay this way.

Glossary
sakura - cherry blossoms; hanami - cherry blossom viewing party (it's kind of like a festival mixed with a picnic/barbecue)
dango - skewered Japanese dumplings made out of rice flour with different toppings; okonomiyaki - "Japanese pancake" (or pizza)
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