紙 with Haydee

I know, that sounded sooo strange XD

But yesterday, at Nihongo class, our sensei showed us her calligraphy set, and she let us try it out. She gave us a general idea of how we should do it, though in reality of course, mastering the art of calligraphy can take a really long time. So anyway she gave us some calligraphy paper, and some of us tried it out. Haydee, one of our classmates, who was also my classmate in Elem 1, wrote the first kana in the Kanji of kami, then I wrote the second kana. After class we tried using the smaller brush to write our names in katakana. Since we cannot bring it home (which means we will need to cut the KAMI - pun intended - in half), we just requested our sensei to post it on the wall for us XD Anyway the wall has our other “artwork” and homeworks on it. 

It was so fun, now we want our own calligraphy sets >.< 

Early Night

Yup early! Been home since about an hour ago. Just had dinner with Allan, Zig, and my sister some place near then went home because my sister still had tons of stuff to do. So now I’m just having coffee and French cookies and will be watching some anime in a while. 

Kendo was okay though I still feel somewhat rotten at keiko. I did keiko with the girls and Jojo-sempai, but my waza was under Takahashi-sensei’s class, and that part I enjoyed. I don’t know if my  kendo is in some kind of… rut. I just feel like I’m so… blah in it. 

Anyway, I hope this phases passes, if it’s a phase. I feel stressed out kasi e >.<

On a lighter note, Nova asked me (Nova is a boy, I just call him that in reference to Nova of Bleach. Yung green.) how I was and I was like “Great!” and I know I meant it, which made it even greater He was asking why but we had to line up again for the second hour of practice. I then realized I wouldn’t know how to explain it in Simple and Safe terms, but then during the last seiza after practice, I realize that I AM feeling great, but I’m also somewhat uneasy/agitated/anxious. And then I remembered my rune and I realized this is the “birth” part, like I’m in “labor” or something, and I have to go through it so that the new path/life/phase can make its way. I believe that I have made the “completion,” though it’s done in my own strange fashion. And I really feel I did. And so now comes the labor and then ultimately, the birth. 

I just wonder what I’m giving birth to. Anyway basta nasa delivery room na ako. No overthinking allowed. One moment at a time. 

Back! (^^,)

Yesterday was shiai and I lost my match, but it was still great because at least it’s clear to me what the lesson is and I know where I went wrong. It was much more difficult when I am not quite sure what I did or it would be frustrating if I lost because I was all over the place and panicked. So basically I turned a little too late and slowly, which sensei practiced me on at keiko XD

Yup. Sensei made me practice my turn more quickly (and more attentively XD). And that is because I am BACK IN HIS CLASS!!!!! XD 

So, first was the usual waza in the girls’ class, then keiko, after which I asked some sempai about how I did, and they said my form and my strikes are okay except that I turn to slowly and perhaps ran too far just to allow my opponent to chase and prepare to score >.< Then after a while as I was chatting with Nova (the green gigai, not a woman named Nova) and a couple of other batchmates and was telling them I wonder when I’d be placed back at Takahashi-sensei’s class and just then, Yukita-san called me and asked me to transfer. I couldn’t hide my glee, grinned, said hai, and ran to get my bogu and shinai. As I ran past Nova and the others I whispered “yay” a little too loudly and could see sensei laughing from the corner of my eyes. >.< By the way, the yay was for purely educational reasons and has nothing to do with matcha incidents nor laughing Japanese women saying “special”. O_o 

So, I was totally beaten up on that side, hence a red-green-purple arm, but I really need to do it well and fast so I really need to practice >.< Sana lang gumaling nga XD

Earplugs, onegai.

Just got home from kendo. I’m glad I lasted (^^,) Despite my mistakes by the time I got too tired to have the proper timing. (By the way, Takahashi-sensei was suddenly talking about “Garcia-san” joining “next year” at the “shiai in Hong Kong.” For a minute I wanted to hide while asking where that came from.)

Also, I have just made a decision >.< (Hindi na ‘to kendo related. I mean hindi na related sa kendo practice. >.<)

I won’t na >.<

I totally appreciate the kindness, but I realize I can hardly get it together when my ears start to bleed from my own required silence. My silence, which perpetuates the bleeding. Of my ears, my brains, my heart. My silence, which requires me to witness that which makes me bleed.

So, this will be the last. And I better stick to that decision AT ALL COSTS. 

>.<

This Weekend is Awesome (^^,)

It is! (^^,)

(Let me say though, that this sudden rush just right now, as I write this, is due to another unexpected fortunate thing that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside (^^,) I noticed how from that point, the energy level rose until I am bursting with smitten-kitteness XD)

So, apart from things falling into place since yesterday, and how things still seem to be falling in place today, pieces of me are finding their respective places in my wholeness, even if in trickles. (In trickles, because anyone can see how I have just switched in the past hour from sleepy to WIDE WIDE AWAKE @_@ and in a good way.)

Generally, Saturday was relaxed and seemed to just fleet by in a good way. I’ve had some anxious moments but they were insignificant compared to my general disposition and how my day went. Last night, I had worry dolls stay with me during the night and I was able to sleep well, though I woke up quite early. 

In the morning, I suddenly had one of my rare TV-moods so I went back to bed after breakfast and a bit of internet, and then as I watched various shows I fell asleep again and woke up around noon. Had lunch with my sister who came to visit, then read a bit of Fruits Basket, then had another nappie  

Woke up mid afternoon to prepare for kendo, then went to kendo. As usual, I was lost in kata but Takahashi-sensei taught me and Chiao because I think we were waaay too lost XD Plus I think he overheard my panicky tone as I asked Chiao what I’m supposed to do next as he stared at me as if I was raving mad (lmao). So finally I got it (and hope to do it right again next time). Sensei is awesome (^^,)

I gave out tiny Boracay tokens for some girls during the break (^^,) I will give Denise hers when I see her next time. She passed her shodan exam by the way yay (^^,) 

After kendo practice I spent some time talking to some friends and it somehow helped me get my mind off some things and I felt so much lighter as I headed to my sister’s place. My kendo friends are awesome (^^,) (Plus one of them thought I was 6 years younger than my actual age muhahaha. I was also surprised he is older than I thought he was. Then I said, so that’s why you guys don’t take me seriously and treat me like a child!!! And he laughed because it was partly true Well at least now he knows I’m all grown up XD)

Then we had dinner and saw a movie, and on our way to bring Zig home, we had a major laugh trip because of some strange idea that the boys had which took me a while to get, and they were laughing so hard that Mao couldn’t drive with watery eyes and Zig was bent over with too much laughter that he couldn’t breathe. When I finally got it my face was so wet and sticky with tears and my stomach was hurting from so much laughter. 

Today I also received and opened birthday presents from some kendo friends and they were totally awesome too (^^,) *hearts* 

The magic of cherry blossoms also seemed to stir a bit today, since yesterday actually, somewhere inside me. *slightly enchanted*

I’ve also been accompanied by some new beautiful music that makes my heart beat fast that my face turns somewhat red. Although that is difficult to see because I’m tanned and so not pale yellow-green

I was a bit sad and paranoid about something, but because things have been falling into place and pieces of me are gathering up, plus I learned from the insights I heard from the people around me today, it wasn’t really anything hellish. Plus I have decided to really get myself together so I was taking all of it as a major push for me to do so. 

And then I received something totally totally totally unexpected, and it was a nice nice nice surprise (^^,) My paranoia has just been thrown away just like THE SCONES (lmao). (Omg. I CANNOT get over the scones scene in the Alice movie. Most people would have forgotten it by now, or remember it but not find anything funny in it, but I did, and my stomach hurts from so much laughing at it.) I am also no longer as sad about the something as I was, plus I guess it does not really “ruin” my decision to get myself together, but instead supports it, in a context that is SO much easier for me to move in (^^,) So now I somehow feel “freer” in it and less scared. I’m sure I will have moments but still I totally think this weekend is awesome because it has loads of pleasant surprises and things falling into place and pieces of me finding their way back to their appropriate places (^^,)

On another note, though, by the way, I heard something about a bruise and I cannot accept the idea of him getting hurt like that

Anyway that was just a bit of an off-track note. Just had to let it out of my system. Besides, I am so not in any position to MEDDLE :p

Back to awesomeness. *brush off earlier note* This weekend is really awesome (^^,) Hope the awesomeness extends to forever XD Certain kendo friends really made a difference and I believe I learned important stuff, plus the magic stirring within helped me balance myself, plus there was so much laughter, plus very pleasant surprises, and I am just bursting with hearts and sparkles (^^,) And yes, I’m totally like rainbow sprinkles (^^,)

:D

Saturday kendo practice took me by surprise. Kata was suddenly incorporated into the agenda so I also had to buy my bokken already. It was my first time to learn it and I was totally, totally lost Because of my poor eye-hand coordination and sense of direction, I was a sore thumb in the line of kendoka doing their kata properly. They were all doing it correctly and at the same time, and I was… late in my movements and stepping with the wrong foot. I think the word “helpless and hopeless” was written in Nihongo all over my face, so Takahashi-sensei was correcting me many times and at one point had to stand beside me and tell me to imitate what his feet are doing (and of course I was still making mistakes). >.<

So anyway, it was my first time and I will practice it again >.< 

After that, there was the usual practice, and what I learned from Allan-sempai the other time was really helpful for me last Saturday (^^,) 

Then it was time for lining up and men tore, and I had a freakin’ MOMENT Aaaargh Really, I got so GIDDY WITH GLEE. Ah, だいすきてす､ だいすきてす!

(^^,)

Happy Photos (^^,)

Took lots of photos but posting just a couple Many pics from the game and the raffle and the two Santas but won’t post them all for the sake of the people in those photos  

So here are a couple of the happy photos. One is with Kato-sensei who’s leaving for Tokyo T.T The other is with two other sensei who were there last night and practiced kendo too before that (^^,)

Some Changes T.T

Practice was really good today and it was amazing I lasted and I was not exactly dead nor panting and dying. So practice today was a happy thing. However the girls were moved to the boys’ side though we practiced among ourselves, together with Inoue-san. Takahashi-sensei taught some guys who were selected to practice with him. So, there. T.T

In the end we had kakari keiko with Kato-sensei because he’s leaving because he’s returning to Tokyo T.T

Then, next year, Yukita-san will let us know about new kyu, so our batch may eventually get to practice Wednesdays. But the next Saturdays will be pretty much like today, so we won’t be always under Takahashi-sensei T.T 

So anyway, today was the last practice of the year. We also had our yearend party which was so much fun and everyone got prizes and I happened to get one of the prizes donated by Takahashi-sensei (^^,)

Everyone got loot bags (yay Meiji love Meiji) which were given away by Yukita-san and Yamanishi-sensei, wearing Santa hats and funny face masks

Fortunately my sister brought her camera so we were able to take pictures of people and we had ours (some of the girls) taken with all the sensei (^^,) Happies (**,)

Okay, bigla tayong nagshift from T.T to (^^,) Hahaha. 

Quickie

I am stepping out (again) in a while so this will just be quick. A quickie update from yesterday. Besides, I am achey all over and Sunday-sleepy and Sunday-lazy. 

So, yesterday was yearend shiai. I lost Not that I’m elated about it, but wala, that’s part of practice. I feel grateful, though, because of course, I always learn something in every shiai. Note to self, after a very painful hit, I should get myself together right away Well because it was a random match, and I fought with this muscly strong guy who struck one after another. So far, I was aware of what was happening. Then at one point, he intended to hit my do, but it landed on my right thigh, and it was a VERY strong hit. I paused and felt some kind of electrical sensation travel down my leg, and the part that got hit seemed to vibrate with an almost audible droning sound. After that, I was disoriented all throughout the rest of the match and was trying to move my leg, and I just tried to do what I can until he scored and time was up. 

Of course, it is now greenish purple Mawawala naman sya so okay lang. Besides, this guy really fights like that, I mean he’s like that whoever his opponent is. So at least I know he’s not deliberately trying to harm or impress. After practice, we got to talk and he was saying sorry but I said not to worry because it’s part of the whole practice. He explained he was used to having taller opponents and it’s just now he fought with someone as short as I am, so he miscalculated and hit too low. Hehe. I felt… so short. But anyhoo, I’m not really injured and the bruise will heal like all my other bruises. Mas matagal pa ngang magheal ang ibang bagay kesa sa bruise ko e

Kendo was just sort of bitin lang again because I thought there was going to be waza before shiai but we jumped into shiai right away. Buti na lang there’s one more practice so, yay (^^,)

After practice I got a token for my attendance (89%) and our lovable sensei gave us all tenugi (^^,) Arigatou gozaimasu! (^^,)

Then it was the usual dinner with Mao Mao, Allan-sempai, Denise, and my sister, plus Amanda.

So now, I have to start getting ready because still have to step out. 

Last note, i tried not to stare and steal glances ^.^ I realize it actually helps calm me down. 

Japanese Christmas

I was listening to a Japanese radio station when it played this “Standard Christmas Medley”. It played the Japanese version of Rudolph and I suddenly remembered my Nihongo I class, when Ian-sensei made us listen to it December of last year. I think it was the exact same record because it was the exact same Yachiru-like voice Hehe. Nostalgia. 

Learn Learn Learn

Hoping a Nihongo 3 class comes up soon With a convenient schedule of course. Until then I guess I will need to study on my own. I remember being asked by Sato-san before if I wanted practice but I shied away hehe. Anyway, I realize there were still some more questions and sentence patterns I forgot to ask my sensei last week during the last class. I should’ve made a list. Forgive my grammar for entries written or expressed in Nihongo. I am always trying to learn.

Hoping For A Third :)

So today I met for the last time with my teacher and classmate (isa na lang the others are definitely missed) and as always, it was fun and I learned a lot. I do hope there will be enough number of people for a third class. Until then, it will be a lot of self-studying as I have promised myself to do everyday. 

A Nice Practice :)

Yesterday, I went to my second-to-the-last Nihongo class in the morning. As early as that time, I wasn’t feeling too well already, but decided that I will just take a nap when I get back home to rest before kendo. However, on my way home, the feeling got worse and I felt dizzy and nauseous. I didn’t want to miss kendo so I hoped I’d feel better after resting a while. But, I hardly ate and felt so sick, so I napped longer, hoping I’d feel much better later on. After a few minutes, I woke up and I was totally shivering. I wrapped myself in a blanket and napped some more, until it was time for me to get up. My movements were so slow because my nausea wasn’t leaving me. I got to kendo eventually, and decided that if I really can’t continue, I’d take a few minutes to rest in between. 

In kendo, two guys were asked to join the women’s team which was great because we’d have more chances to fight against them and learn more. Takahashi-sensei wasn’t around though so it was Akita-sensei who taught us. I learmed something new about doing my men-uchi, and I was able to do keiko with him, which was great. He noted some of my kote-uchi as nice, so I felt happy And I guess we will always have males join the team because I also learned some recurring mistakes that I make. Generally, practice was nice and I am SO glad I lasted I had a very bad cramp on my left leg after practice though, so I need to do a bit of stretching. 

By the way, I ordered a set of do himo because mine got loose again :T It’s okay, though because it’s about time I replaced it

For All That I Have Learned

せんせい､ありがとうこざいます｡

NO.

Okay, so I had a dream, a bad one. 

There was some kind of dinner party, and it was because two of our sensei were leaving - Takahashi-sensei and Osuga-sensei. In the dream, I only found out DURING the dinner party itself and I was MORTIFIED. I didn’t eat and I kept running around, trying to find out why and where they are going. And then I was told that Takahashi-sensei was going to go to some cold, snowy place where it is always winter, and then I started considering if I should move there and if I can survive the cold. 

In the next part of the dream, I was watching some kind of documentary about the place, although sometimes it would shift and I would be IN the snowy place and I felt bad that he would have to live in such a bleak place. 

I’m thinking perhaps it’s all the snow and cold in Coraline which I watched last night and the numbing cold and snow in The Golden Compass which I am currenty reading. In any case, it wasn’t a very nice dream AT ALL.

Love

So, I am doing my best to stretch my endurance to last practice because I love kendo and our loveable sensei has taught us and helped us so much. 

:)

I was feeling rather bloated and pained yesteday because I was so PMSing. As early as suburi, I wanted to lie down and let myself be sucked in my oblivion (oblivion-oblivion, not Oblivion the game, though that would also be lovely ). So anyway we had our waza, then shiai. I won again yay I am so grateful for our sensei. *happy energies* Despite my shaking arms and hands because I was so tired towards the end of my match, I managed to still remain standing up. I could hear supportive cheers from Martin the eggplant and Valens the boar which lightened up my near-death feeling so I walked back to my spot gleefully, though it didn’t show because I was simply a pale, panting girl  

On the second hour of practice we had ji-geiko and I was fortunate enough to be paired with our sensei (a physically painful yet awaited moment) as we kept turning to our right for various matches. My right hand now bears a small lumpy bruise because of several kote hits (very quickly, one after the other) and I smashed onto his unmoving and unperturbed self a few times (and it felt like running into a very sturdy, deeply rooted tree while I was a very small weak hungry child) like I did with Kikuchi-san, but I managed to have one kote hit and sensei repeatedly said, “nice!” while nodding his head quickly. *happy energies* 

Then, my feared part came; like last week, we were asked to line up against the seniors and we repeatedly did several kirikaeshi and men-uchi and then another set of kirikaeshi and I felt like I was going to faint again. Igarashi-sensei stood behind me a couple of times and observed my kiai and made me do long ones so I wanted to ask him if he just wanted me to hand over my lungs. Anyway I managed to live, and I just keep thinking that despite all the pain in my arms and legs now, I will someday be able to do it with less and less difficulty.

Practice

Kendo practice last Saturday was fun, as usual Also, we had shiai and I was on the first match and I won yay My first point was kote and my second was on the men. I was on the white team for which the last match was Allan-sempai. 

Our practice before and after shiai was somewhat different because our Super Great Sensei wanted to teach us more how to move, fight, and block for keiko and shiai. Looking back, I realize that it wouldn’t have been likely for me to score any points at all if our wonderful sensei did not teach us everything I learned from him. Then last Saturday, there was a point he laughed at me because I couldn’t get something but when I finally did he exclaimed it was good and nodded quickly to show his approval. The women’s team is SO lucky to have him as sensei. He teaches so well and even if he only speaks in Japanese, he teaches us so clearly in his own way and you can totally see how patient he is and how he wants us all to learn and do well. (^^,) Happiness.

:)

Draw

I fought in shiai yesterday… (Please click to continue reading this post.)