Growing up and Feeling Alive in 2012!

It is now 9 days into the new year. I Cant believe how fast days can pass by.

This year already promises some great milestones. In fact tomorrow is one of them. As of tomorrow I will be 2 whole decades old! It’s almost impossible to believe! My childhood and teen hood are gone! This doesn’t mean I can’t still act like a kid from time to time… I just have to be more aware of where I am when I act like a child. privacy of my own home, ok I’m good. In the midst of a college lecture, not a good idea.

Another milestone fast approaching is my graduation. As of October 2012 I will be a graduate of Algonquin College’s Early Childhood Education Program. This astounds me! I will be in the real world, seen as a professional Early Childhood Educator in just about 8 months time! It’s this realization, the desire for renewal in this new year, and the inspiration from ?My amazing Cousin Carly, and her Blog. That has inspired me to permanently post my new year resolutions to this site, as well as a list of things that make me feel most Alive.

My Resolutions

1. Receive grade this term that are at least as good if not greater then my grades last term.
2. Stay away from junk food.
3. Do some form of 1hour work out at least once a week minimum.
4. find creative or at least just smart ways to be more environmentally friendly.
5. Write in my personal journal at least weekly
6. practice drum exercises at least 1 hour weekly
7. Create one piece of art weekly
8. Never hide who I am
9. Always try to find the good in EVERYONE!
10. Be selfless and thoughtful towards others

My Cousin wrote a Blog entry listing many of the things that make her feel alive. She then challenged the readers to make there own list. So carly here it is

WHAT MAKES ME FEEL ALIVE!

HUGS, blaring music and dancing my heart out when I’m home alone. The satisfaction of a completed assignment, Days when there is no need to get out of my pyjamas, pride in a room I finally cleaned s myself, any moment with good company, A child reaching for my hand, listening to a song I hadn’t heard for years, conquering a new ski run. a text or phone call from a good friend, knowing I made someone smile, the aches from a satisfying workout the previous day, Zumba classes, a genuine compliment fro someone, properly playing a challenging drum beat, finishing a good book, finding childhood mementos.

Shutter Bug: The Summer S.P.A.O. Experience

The first day of the 5 day workshop we spent simply, exploring the different functions of our cameras. Though I was the only one with a Samsung ES65 point and shoot camera, everyone else had either a Nikon or Canon SLR, so the functions that were available to me were quite limited in comparison. But I still did what I could to learn more about, exposure Value, ISO, White Balance etc.

In the middle of the week we were each given 3 styles of photography (mine were 1. architecture, 2. portrait, & 3. was a freebee) So I wondered the streets of Ottawa on my own tying to capture as much as I could! The most amazing part was I didn’t get lost!

		SPAO VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The whole week was A lot of fun! I hope next time from this experience that next time I see a picture  perfect moment I will be able to capture it just right.

Shutter Bug #1: Pre- SPAO

This past summer I had created, then (as of today) deleted, a site I called Shutter Bug. It was an online photo gallery. I always loved taking photos and my mom seemed to think I had a knack for photography she encouraged me to start the site and she came up with the name.

But I became fed up with having a few too many accounts and whatnot so alas Shutter Bug is no more. But I would still like to share some photos I am particularly proud of which is why I am beginning a Shutter Bug series right here! 

I have only taken a 1 week photography work shop at SPAO (School of Photographic Arts Ottawa), and that was just a week ago. So these aren’t anything spectacular but  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed shooting them.

The photos below were all taken in the summer of 2011 BEFORE the one week SPAO workshop

   

  

Accepting Awesomeness: Being Awesome is Awkward

A few weeks ago, while I was watching the ten o’clock new with my dad; a short report was featured about a ballet company doing a show entirely of songs by Sarah McLachlan.  This is the first time I’d seen my dad excited about something like ballet. But the interview went on and the interviewee had said there was a lot of criticism about the show for combining pop music with a classical dance.  My dad and I agreed it would be a wonderful show to see and really couldn’t understand how people could criticize something like this!

And so began a long powerful philosophical discussion with my dad. Well mostly my dad talking and me listening but anyways… My Dad began to explain the secret to becoming awesome! So I am sharing this today to pass along what I got out of it.

People like what they are familiar with. If something is not “The Norm” to them it can (and most likely will) make them feel awkward. The person’s first thought would be that this “thing” is just awful. People will try to resist through fear and hatred but if what is making them feel uncomfortable can send a message that is moving to the uncomfortable person. The thing causing discomfort then becomes awesome!  In short:

 Awful —> Awkward —> Awesome

But it is up to the person to disregard their initial feelings and give this “thing” whether it be a show, kind of music or  a person;  a chance to surprise, move and amaze them! Because nobody can say exactly what is right or normal, these days EVERYTHING is the “Norm”! I’m not trying to say we must like everything we see and hear or everyone we meet, but we should  must learn to accept it! Because that is what should be – but sadly rarely is –  the only social Norm!

How to Know if children Are in Your Future

If you have expirinced any of the following, you are likely destined to have children or work with children

1. You feel inclined to say “aawwww” to every passing child under 8 years old.
2. You are easily amused by the simplest piece of technology.
3. You have frequent urges to hug someone… anyone.
4. you reach your early/mid 20′s and still feel no shame in looking at stuffed animals in public stores.
5. you find it nearly imposible to stay mad at a child for more then 2 minutes no matter what they may have done
6. you get overly excited about colourful school supplies ( ex: a fuzzy poca-doted pencil case, flower-y filefolder)

As a student preparing to be an Early Childhood Educator and a lover of children. I can safely say I have done all of the above; likely on more then one occasion.

I will re-visit to edit and add more as I think of them

A Look at Teaching and Parenting Methods (by Some Girl that is Neither)

I am not Japanese or Amarican or a parent (yet), or a teacher (yet). However  this post will likely in some way concern all who are (mostly teachers and parents).

In the 6 months I’ve been studying Early Childhood Education at Algonquin, I’ve learned lots about how children learn. Back in grade twelve I was in a class I called APS (Anthropology, Phychology & Sociology) and one day on the power point there was a statement that really stuck with me. This was likely due to the fact that my then, recent trip to japan shot my obsession with the country into full gear but either way it still gets me thinking. This statement was:

“ Amarican parents tell their children what to do.

Japanese parents ask their chidren what they think.”

Now this is obviously an over generlized statement, and we talked about that in the class. But it would not have come up in class if there was not some aspect of truth to it, am I right?

For simplicity sake I will refer to them as the Japanese method” or the “Amarican method” thogh I am aware that may not be accurate.

Every techer I’ve met from my early years or Kindergarten, and even now in college, has said  “We can’t just give you the answees or you’ll never learn anything.” or something to that effect at least. Now as children esspecially in our earlier years, Parents and family members are our biggest influence. We learn how to walk, talk, and behave from our parents, so You could definely say every parent is in fact a teacher to their children.  So why does anyone use this “Amarican method” of parenting when it really won’t teach a child. The only thing It could posibly tech them is that they are incabable of thinking for themselves or learning anything on their own.  You’ll tech them that they’re opinion and thought don’t matter.  Using the “Japanese method” and letting children come to their own conclussins about what is right and wrong will allow their knowlage about the world to grow!  I may not be a teacher or a parent (yet) but in my one month  placement alone I’ve seen the affects of both methods. The children who were given choice and the oprotunity to think and find answes for themseves seemed to be the ones to be more expessive and confident and less shy.  It  saddens me to see these children who are behaving inapropriately or worse too scared to express their opinion because the parents just tell her what their doing wrong. Now not every situation will allow a child to stop and think of their answer. But even in thoughs situatons too many parents (and teachers) simply tell them what they can’t do! Leaving the child to wonder “well then what the heck can I do!”But if that kind of situation occures then why don’t parents  tell them what they could do instead of what they can’t! So when I become a parent and a Techer I will ensure that I will ask children what they think and allow their creativity, opinions and personality to shine! What about you?

The Path of Life

I just had something on my mind and decided to write about it in my journal. I wrote it in a sort of mediphorical poem form but to save you the sappiness I’ll gust give ya the gist of it.
So for about 2 and a half years (give or take), I’ve been talking quite a lot (a,k.a obsesivly) about All things Japanese as well as living in Japan… forever.

Though I may have felt overjoyed and right at home on my 1 week trip to Japan back in September 2009, After much thought and getting over my saddness of not being there anymore, I’ve come to a realization. Maybe the reason it felt so perfect, was that it was an unbelievalle wish come true made possible by Make A Wish Foundation, and It seemed so outstanding because I never really thought it would happen untill it did.  Maybe it wasn’t a sign I was ment to live my life there. Though I still admire the culture, both modern and traditional and I still frequently enjoy Japanese music. But coming to this realization dosn’t mean I’m giving up My quest to return to Japan one day, I have not once concidered not going back at least for a visit to see more of the beautiful country and visit our friend Katsu who was so kind as to show us around the whole week.  In fact I still feel the need to go back.  This is not because I feel like it should have been my home but because all my life, I’ve been this little girl (I mean that in regards to the age I feel people treat me, not as a refernce to my small stature), living in a small(ish) town, with little experience outside this protected life. As nice as the familiarity and comfort of knowing your family is never far away, is, I know now that I have had this taste of the “other life” I want more if and if I stay with the familiar forever, well I can see myself becomming too comfertable in that and in turn become fearful of anything else. Where if I go ahead with this dream of living in Japan, I’ll gain a little more expeirence and a little more confidence to go even further. I’d love to travel the world! I want to exeirence new things, my week in Japan is so far the closest I’ve come to that.  If I start with Japan I’ll have some familiarity but it will still be a very new expeience.

I’m not talking forever, maybe a year or two from there well I’ll just have to see where this path leads me . That’s the beauty of stepping out of you comfort zone; and taking the path that may seem more risky, At anytime it becomes too big of a risk (or if you just feel like it) you can always come back into that zone, to the safe feeling and famiar faces. You can always come home.

So… I Wish I Looked Like a Man…?

 If you’re a fan of Visual Kei you’ve probably seen these men before; Hizaki;of Hizaki Grace Project & Versailles Philharmonic Quintet; Jasmine You, ex. Member of Versailles Philharmonic Quintet, My he rest in peace; Uruha, of The Gazette; and Bou, Ex member of Antic Café. What do these men have in common? Yes they are or were  all members of visual kei bands. But I’d like to focus on their other similarities. These men are just a few of the very many men who are easily mistaken as women; by those lacking   any knowledge  of visual kei. Even though I’d concider myself fairly knowledge able about the sub ject, and I am so used to  them men that it doesn’t phase me one bit like it did when I was just getting to know j- rock bands and visual kei, something does haunt me about these beautiful and cute men. It is the fact that I am a woman and yet no matter how hard I try my hair will never me as beautiful! My make-up will never look so perfect and I will never EVER pull of hisaki’s dresses as well as he does… and yet I’m a woman!!!  It just isn’t fair all these j- rockers can look better then I could even imagine! I’ve witnessed proof  that they are attractive to women and men!  And a part of me wishes that I looked like them! Especially Hizaki! In my opinion Hizaki is the most beautiful man to walk this earth!  It just isn’t fair! Now I’m not aying that men can’t wear dresses and make up- if they want to! Of course it is there life if they want to live is in frilly skirts and bright eye shadows all the power to them! All I’m asking is that maybe they get less good at it? So that guys aren’t turning gay for Or at the very least tell us girls your beauty secrets! That would be much appreciated.

Thankou!

Hello world!

Welcome to my blog. I really don’t have much to say that’s all that interesting. I guess i’ll talk about whatever just happens to be on my mind or going on around me. If you’re interested in Japanese (modern & traditional)  culture. That will probably be a topic covered quite often. As well as People, Canada, society, and other cultures. So I hope you enjoy reading!

MY WISHN POEM

~This is just a short poem about me being short! I had written it for English class way back in grade 8.  I have always been very short and that probably won’t ever chnge ~

 

I Wish I Could Be Taller

i wish i could be taller so i would not have to climb

up on a chair to get a little snack.

from the cupbord placed so high

if i could be taler i would not have to be

the arm rest for all my friends cause over their heads i would see

this world is made for tall people for me that is a shame

but it does make my life more fun

like an advetures sort of game!