My dear Dad, Otosan, pastors, uncles, friends, friends’ father, etc…
To the men out there who has always been there guiding me as a father figure, sharing with me wisdom, making sure that I stay firm to my path… thank you. You are always on my pedestal of respect.
Blessings to you this Father’s Day!
ARRGH!!! I seriously need to have some bunny time. My apologies to those who are waiting for my return. Technically, I was supposed to be at home right now. My initial plan was to take a week off before graudation hanging with buddies and loved ones (July 9-19). BUT… well, tough luck with the craziness I am going through at the moment. However, as I always put it, “if it doesn’t kill you, it just makes you stronger.”
I guess I should go for a run now… adrenaline rush always makes me feel better. Then, I should direct my energy to finishing up my papers for Science and Religion and another for Dr. Franklin. Hope you guys out there are having better days than I am.
The surge of negative emotions within me lately has been getting a little out of control. I guess the worries of the uncertainties that lie in the future made this bunny green-eyed to all who seemingly have it better than I do. I feel so small. Not only that, such emotions somehow seem to over-ride the usual me, turning me into a mean and rude bunny (ok, I know some of you out there think I am a meanie regardless of the situation). Remember the episode in Dharma and Greg where Dharma started to run in candidacy for a political post? She was so into the competition that brought out her evil side and soon her inner beauty turned bad and Greg mentioned that she look like Quasimodo. Well, maybe that it what is becoming of me. I have started to break out in rashes across my neck a week ago (or, maybe it is just the humidity).
Oh, you bunny of little faith! Why can’t you place your trust in the higher being? Don’t you believe what professors and professionals tell you? They have seen passages of life and, in a way, know how some people will turn out in life. They have no doubts in you. They have faith in you and it will be absurd that such people are just saying stuff to make you feel good about yourself.
What is most important in your life? Has going after that lead you to any dissapointments before? You know what you have to do… everything will be ok. Lift up your head, smile… hope and help is on its way.
[p.s. I do appreciate those who has been praying for me. Please continue to do so. God bless your hearts!]
I am all out for the bunny look today. Wearing my white jacket in contrast to the rainy season, hoping that it will ligthen up my mood, does, on the other hand complete my attire of being totally bunny. My eyes are really red and sore due to wearing contact lenses on Sunday. They are just terrible. Sunil put that comment right into my face when we were hanging out at McDs near TUC as we waited for Matthew on Sunday. When we met Matthew at the station, he thought I was crying the whole day! Hmm, maybe, a good cover up… but, yeah, I can be a cast of any horror movie now. It has been days and the redness is still there.
Sigh! The stresses of life. What better to overcome them than to go get it off my chest yelling at the top of my lungs? I went to Disneyland (again… hmm, I have to agree with Mark, I think I have been going there TOO often now.) and screamed all my worries at Space Mountain. It did help a little. I guess I was just worn out with the surge of emotions over the past few weeks. The unexpected crowd at Disneyland sort of contributed to the lack of enthusiam and fatigue. The weather forecast said that it would be cloudy, and due to the rainy season, I thought the park would be empty. BUT, it was bright and sunny all day yesterday! Well, as Matthew puts it, it was a good day to stand in lines. Enjoying a day out with the guys was fun as usual, Kevin wanted to take pictures at Tokyo Disneyland. Since they were having the “Find Sticth” campaign, being big fans of the character, it was a treat. However, my throat is pretty sore right now and I have voice lessons this afternoon… not a smart move, eh, bunny?
The change of the season is easily identified with the flowers. Since I last blogged about my life, cherry blossom were in full bloom. Then, the tulips, roses, irises, etc. As each of them wither away, I sense the passing of time. Working on my thesis has kept me indoor and stressed out most of the time than enjoying the beauty of Japan. Now, as dad’s favorite flower is in bloom, the hydrengea marks the rainy season of Japan–the offical end of Spring. Once the showers are over, summer is here. The end of spring, for me, in every aspect.
Spring semester. This is my final semester here at TCU. Aww, how time flies! I can’t believe it is almost four years since my entrance to this school. I am done with my thesis, and man! the title itself is a mouthful. Eugene managed to read it in a breath, once. I can hardly even remember it and find it so difficult to recall the title whenever anyone asks. So, to spare myself from repeating it so often, this is it. The title is "Understanding the Japanese Atrocities in Paradox with Popular Japanese Culture through the Study of Behavior: Focusing on the Social Theory of George Herbert Mead." (Phew!) IF you want to know, it is a paper explaining why and how the Japanese behaved and did what they did in WWII in incidents such as the Nanking Massacre, Rape of Manila, etc. in contrast to their well known behavior and culture of being well-mannered, disciplined, and polite. The paper looks into culture, philosophy, and psychology. The answer, however lies in sociology/social psychology as proposed in the Theory of Socialization of Mead. IF you would like to read it, do let me know; I can mail you a copy.
I had my head and hands full writing the thesis, which was submitted to the school last week. So, now, I am FREE!!! … from that, but technically not really from the semester. Wrapping up my final semester here is just like any semester. As you, this is one hellufa busy bunny. Allow me to elaborate with the bunny schedule.
Mondays- Technically, this is a free day to work on my thesis. I sometimes schedule my replacement classes to my English students whenever needed. Otherwise, it is just a day for bunny. Now, it will be more like a day of hanging out.
Tuesdays- I have classes with Dr. Franklin online for "Systematic Theology III" in the mornings. (He is on sabbathical at the moment in the States. We have classes on iChat at the MacLab. This is how I have discussions with him on my thesis too… via the internet on Skype, emails, and iChat.) Voice lessons right after lunch, "Eastern Thought" with Yamato-sensei. Most weeks I teach Asakura-san in the evenings, and once a month, I have Japanese Tea Ceremony practice with Yamaguchi-sensei who comes all the way from Osaka at night.
Wednesdays- "Preaching" in the morning with Dr. Peterson, part-time job at the library from 2-6.10pm, and attending the International/English Prayer Meeting in the evening.
Thursdays- Class with Dr. Franklin online (the class is split into one hour sessions as Dr. Franklin teaches another 2 classes online to my juniors. It is also a hard schedule for him as he is busy in the states, the time difference, his family time, etc.) I teach at Iwama-san’s place twice a month in the afternoons before having classes on "Science and Religion" with Inagaki-sensei. I attend prayer meetings in Otosan’s office in Japanese in the evenings.
Fridays- English lessons with Osumi-san in the mornings, choir, and English Lessons in the evenings.
Though the above is just the class schedules, most of my free time was just pushing myself to press on with my thesis. Even as I go through the schedule, I had a wierd scheulde of working at the MacLab during the day, returning to my room around 9.30 at night, sleep for an hour or two, get up and work on my thesis again till the 3-4am. Weekends are generally days to work on my thesis somemore. However, in the past one and a half months, I have been tutoring Chinese to Rumi. Eugene introduced me to her. She wanted to learn some Chinese before her business trip to ChengDu. Now, we are close friends. She did say she would like to continue, but we will see how long it will go according to my plans fter graduation. There is always church activities too. Those are of real fun, and are stories of their own for another time.
So, as you see, this is still one busy bunny. What happened to a "free" final semester? For my case, I can tell you that it does not exists. As spring comes to an end, it also marks the coming of my final days on campus… Life do go on. What lies ahead in th path of the bunny? I don’t know. I was sure once, but things sort of took a turn… I would appreciate that you continue to have me in your prayers. Thank God that I still have my sanity. I have been hanging out with Kevin (exchange student from BIOLA), Sunil, and Matthew so much that it has been of great help in keeping this bunny happy and fun. More to be highlighted on the subject later.
That’s all for now. Hugs and kisses.
Greetings.
It has been a while. I am back from the dead. Life is a challenge over here over the past few months. I will be diligent in updating you guys again.
Look out for new news from the bunny.
Guess who the bunny has been playing with lately. These guys are of great companionship. You have to check them out for yourself.
This video reflects how times are spent with them… simply, CRAZY!!!
The thing that cracks us up the most is on the issue of “manliness.”
Do this test. (It only works if you are a guy.) Can you say “Let’s go for cakes and coffee!” to another guy. Do you feel wierd? Does it challenges your manliness? Can you say that with a British accent?
Result: Americans and Ashesh couldn’t do it with a straight face. We just end up laughing so much that even tears come pouring out.
http://www.vimeo.com/clip:77841
Cast in according to appearence: Kevin (exchange student from Biola), Sunil, Kazuto (on the left) and Matthew (on the right). Recorded on Matthias’ brand new MacBook! Location: Men’s Dorm.
