I was asked that today as I spoke with my Modern Japan professor about the JET program or maybe grad school. I actually had no answer. What AM I passionate about. When I was younger it was math, science, and music. Since then I've become a dabbler--just enough to do something but not skillfully, often neat and passable, but not skillfully done.

If I think about it, I feel like I have some weird slow motion ADD. I start something but can only stay focused on it for a few years before losing interest. Not losing interest entirely, but enough to want to expend my energy somewhere else. Hmm, maybe that's more like "something else has caught my attention" or something. See what I mean by the majorly slow-motion ADD?

Passion... Okay, Arashi's a given, and they've awakened in me a desire to learn Japanese again. Instead of formal study, though, it's on my own through various books and of course through the vids I watch and work on.

Activities I love: travel, learning...travel, learning... Can I make a thesis from these? I guess cultural studies (particularly in Japan) could be a theme? Hmm, perhaps an anthropological field? Educational?

Hey, but "love" is different from "passionate". What am I passionate about? I'd love to say Japan and all things Japanese, but I have the feeling that I'm fooling myself. But I must have some passion for it since it feels like my heart is there already and I would love to be there. Or is it the current flavor of my slo-mo add?

So what are YOU passionate about?

That's what keeps playing through my mind. My dad told me that the doctor's office called today with news that the biopsy results were all negative. TYJ! PTL! :-) Just wanted to share that.

Allo! Got back recently from our month long trip to Japan! All I can say is "Yay!". It was so much fun but it seems like it went by really quickly. Hubby and I had lots of fun and did a bit of stalking, of course! TBS, NTV, FujiTV. Even got to see life-sized Gundam! Egad! Awesome. We're happy to be home, but we're both looking forward to our next trip. :-)

Uwaa, if someone hadn't mentioned that they were going thru tissues already (last night), I wouldn't have started watching until today (and would have been better rested!). I actually thought it started on 8/31!

Thank goodness for TVUplayer or I would have any chance to watch these live. Demo, someone already has a bunch of the show vidcapped and online! Sugoi!

So far, everything's been amazing. I was so happy to watch MatsuJun's drama last night and then to see the real family. I think everyone did an excellent job.

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Gee whiz, Nino's song!


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yuckie_chan had this quiz up at her LJ and I clicked on over just for fun. I tried answering as honestly as possible and...

Which member of Arashi are you most compatible with?

You scored as a Ohno Satoshi

You're most compatible with Ohno! You are content with simple things in life and understand that happiness is intrinsically generated. Ohno seems to prefer someone who is completely relaxed and free to live life with expression and honesty - with him, you get someone to grow old with.  Results based on a 2006 translated interview about ideal marriages - therefore, you may want to take everything with a grain of salt. ;)

Ohno Satoshi 75% Aiba Masaki 73% Ninomiya Kazunari 68% Sakurai Sho 63% Matsumoto Jun 43%

He is is my fav!! Sho-chan's my second-fav, though. I think I'd be able to hang out with all of them and feel comfortable (if I could speak their language well). They remind me of the mental stuff I've done with my friends.

Head on over to QuizFarm to find out What member of Arashi are most compatible with?

Did a 1 month student exchange program to Ryukyu Daigaku one summer.  We were really fortunate since basically EVERYTHING was paid for.  They put us up in a hotel in Asato City, then we were taxied to school in the mornings and caught the bus back (cab fare and bus scripts were provided). Breakfast and dinner were provided by the hotel on weekdays, we were also provided lunch scripts for on campus dining.  Weekends... I think they provided breakfast for us only on Saturdays as excursions were usually planned for that day. Only Sundays were entirely on our own (I think?)  I do have pictures and a journal for this trip, though they're packed away in boxes since I've gotten married and moved a few times since making that trip.

We got together a few times after returning home. Most memorable was when we all (well, almost all) got together for the Okinawa Festival in Kapiolani Park. That was a really nice visit. The off-islanders (those not from Oahu) got together and split a 2 bedroom at Pagoda.  I had a few extra visits w/ a friend I considered a little brother. He housed me for one visit and even made choc chip / m&m pancakes the next day. I don't recall what the visit was for.  LOL.  Was it to cut his hair???  Now that I'm writing this, I recall a hair cutting incident while we were there. Did Ben end up buzzed because of it???  Anyway, they were starting on Kevin's hair, but it was looking a little... ahem... so I guess I offered to help or was asked.  I'd been cutting my boyfriend's hair for a few years already, I'm not great, but you can be seen in public w/ it.  Hmmm... I must have cut it, because now I recall him (Kevin) insisting that I cut his hair.  Anyway...  Most of the folks that were on that trip made it to my wedding two years later.  Now it's unfortunate, but I've basically lost touch with everyone.  I see one fellow who still lives on Kauai every once in a while at various stores, but not very often.

Anyway, just in case one of them was doing a search for their own name.... Maybe they'll find this page and drop a line.

My roomie: Sarah Meadows.  She walked to the beat of her own drum and there were clashes w/ some of the other students, but we got along great and she was an awesome roommate.  She was more than willing to participate in some of the mental stuff that popped out of my mind and vice versa.  She dropped me a postcard once while (or after) she was visiting Japan, but I lost it and her address.  Just remembered that she was living somewhere in the Gulf states (I think) with her grandmother?

My little "bro": Kevin Miyashiro  (Sometimes I forget your last name, but then I remember Frank Delima's song and ...)  *wink*.  A real sweetheart and mento to boot. A kindred spirit in that we were both nerdy, mental, and band geeks.  Was it trombone?  Some brass instrument, though.

The rest of the friends:
Bobby Nagao  (Hey, do you still have your shinsan?  wish I had bought one, too)

Ben Balete (Found your memorial for your dad and dropped a line for you there.  Hope all is well with you and your family)

Rod (rod-dos.... what is your last name????  Started with an 'A', I think)
  Tokashiki!!!  Viewer style boogie boards.  I loved that he would come sit and sing w/ me when I would play the baby grand at the hotel (awesome that they let us play it!)

Christy Maeda - a petite cutie pie w/ a squeaky voice (you must hate being called that)

Rhonda Reyes (your daughter must be a junior or senior by now!)

Paul Clur - another cool cat. Thanks for being a great dance partner!

Daphne Peralta - love ya, hon!  Saw her a few years ago at the airport(?)  You were no longer in Guam?


Anyways, the whole reason this journal entry was started...  Came home w/ some Japanese music - Southern All Stars, Fukuyama Masaharu single (the one Benji would always sing at karaoke), and Zard.  Listened to them constantly for a while, then got put aside until....

My coworker gave me some subbed AVIs for Hana Yori Dango season 1 and 2 over Christmas break last year.  Got hooked and looked up Domyouji.  Yes, I'm now an Arashi fan.  Have since enjoyed a few other dramas and awakened my desire to learn Japanese.  I've gotten my husband hooked and he's now enrolled in Japanese 101, so it's been fun studying together.

We're planning a trip to Japan next year so...  Yehaw!

Anywayz, that's it for now!