Fire Blazes!

At my friend's house, the heater burst into flames near her bed. Ayako rushed into her room and screamed, “Takako, water! Water! Bring some water!”


I ran to the kitchen. I stopped. Piles of different sized dirty dishes filled the sink. On the top of the stove, each of the four burners held a pot or pan, in addition to which rested at least six other cooking vessels which were either black with food or black without food.

Old text books, some still wearing their “used” sticker, were strewn across the floor like stepping stones across a stream. Some of them were closed and some were open with pages torn in half from being trod upon by high heels, boots, slippers and bare feet.
An occasional tube of lipstick, hair brush, shoe and crumpled fast food wrapper dotted literary landscape

I stood paralyzed, facing these obstacles and trying to plan a strategy.

“Just pick one!” she yelled and pushed my shoulder to move me out of her way.

In spite of her urging, I was not about to waste a perfectly good strategy. I saw my path, chose my pot, and decided on my approach to the sink. Pushing some dishes aside, I shoved a blackened two-quart sauce pan under the faucet, when I heard Ayako scream,
“Is it clean?”

I spun around, water sloshing out of the pot and onto the torn pages of an English anthology, and yelled, “How can you tell?”

With that, she grabbed the pot and ran to the fire and threw the water across the flames. After yielding a great puff of steam, the fire died out.

Safe at last, we turned to face each other. What first appeared to be steam on my friend’s forehead turned out to be sweat. My friend was actually sweating. It was the first time, during our five-year friendship, that I saw my constantly cool companion in a state of abject terror.

We hugged and rejoiced over our good fortune. What began as an evening of candle lit meditation and relaxation became one of the most stressful and shocking situations ever. Nevertheless, we found cause to laugh over the ridiculousness of it all.

And after the dust settled, literally, we were hungry. Once again, in a state of cool confidence, my dear friend looked at me and said, “What are we gonna cook?”

Just one word came to my mind: Clueless.

A Lovely Moment on the Subway

I heard someone hitting drums. Honestly, , the osund was nothing but annoying because I was feeling quite sick. On top of that, these two men were speaking in French over my head with so many consinants. That escalated my headache. I was just about to faint. I tied my scarf too tight by mistake and I was not able to breathe well. My mind started to go blank.
Then, I saw a teenager boy with a drum dushing toward the conjunction of the subway cars even though it was moving. Then followed a big man. Then did two other little kids. I was not able to wonder what was about to happen. It was as if little ducks following one after another. In the meantime, the big man/big duck was holding the heavy conjunction doors that were not supposed to be open, but to make a bridge for the kids to jump to the next car.
Most likely, they were on-going subway performers. They jump from one car to the other like an united duck family.
Probably their behavior might have not pleased anyone, and I believe that it was quite a peculiar incident. But I felt something warm inside, and also I noticed that my headache was gone.

My Day!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a feeling of control
over her destiny..


MAYA ANGELOU'S'

My Big Japanese Sister!

I had such a blast today! I went out with one of my friends to have a dinner at Riki, a Japanese Izakaya Restaurant. She was considerate enough to save my seat as the place were getting filled with customers who were fond of Japanese cuisine.
The best part of the night was that we were able to share our stories beyond business issues. We talked about the rooommate problems, which I believe that every single New Yorkers faces. We discussed about how beautiful and magnificent Broadway shows are and but also felt sad for the fact that the companies are closing the shows down most likely because of this world financial crisis.
She is, I would say, the Japanese person that I can truly trust in this new city. She is like my sister, if I had. Interestingly, she is quite opposite of me. She is such a good listener, has a beautiful long hair, looks very Japanese, petite and considerate. She has great deal to teach me about life!
She has been helping me enormously for my job, and one day I wish I could pay her back somehow!! Maybe... creating our own Broadway shows and let other Japanese know how life-experience shows they are!

When you don't have anything, you will see everything

This one time, my co-worker said to me, " I vowed to myself that I would never complain about my life ever again after 2008." Of course, I asked him the reason why, and he said, " I went on a shoot to cover the Katrina. I realized whatever problems I had were nothing to compared to what they had down there."
Yes, I believe that it is unhealthy for a person to complain about his life all the time, it is also unattractive, too. However, complaining and wishing for the better is different.
For example, my friends and I,who are on special type of visa in the states, have a lot of difficulties achieving who we want to become or even to have a steady income in this foreign country. Even if we want to, we are not allowed to work at MacDonalds. It is due to the law that we, as international post-college students, have to work in the fields that we studied. Some of the students who graduated from Universities in New York worked illegally to just to stay in this country, but my friends and I never did. We instead chose to live poor, and lead more meaningful life and be proud of ourselves.
A distinctive memory that I had with my dearest friend is us sharing suffragettes with just hot chilly spice. It was not the most tasty dish that I had, but it was the most unforgettable dish that I ever did and that I will have. We laughed how broke we were, but also, we promised how strong this would make us like a spring board. There was no other moment like this I appreciate me having such a friend.
When I came up to New York, someone broke into my house and he stole all of my equipments to shoot. As a broadcast major student, it was quite a shock. They must have cost close to $700. On top of that, that bugler was greedy enough to steal my suits too even though he would not going to be able to fit in for SURE!!! I left 13 boxes of clothes because I knew my place in the new city, New York will not accommodate them all. where I would live in New York was small
At this point in my life, my life is not the way how I want to live, but I am thankful for what I have in front of me. I learned to appreciate and gained patience, instead of what I do not have like I used to do.
When something bad happens, I have several friends who IMMEDIATELY call me back or text me and ask to see if I am doing okay or still alive. First of all, they are not my family members. They do not owe me anything, but they are sincere and kind to me. How much more fortunate I could be! I don't have as many things as before, but I got to find things that money can never purchase me.
I am very grateful that I am surrounded by thoughtful and sincere friends. I am thankful that my parents are well. More than anything, I am happy that I am alive so that I can be enjoying my life every day with a hope of becoming better each day. Right now is difficult time for me now, there is no doubt about that, but I am truly confident to say that this would be the greatest time of my life.

Everyone Freezed Today!!

It was 10 a.m. I stepped outside the house,and I needed to go back to the house immediately. It was unbelievably cold outside. I swear that bananas would transformed into a hammer.
When I lived in Philadelphia, a thin sweater and heavy leather jacket perfectly warmed me up, and let me enjoy the beautiful winter time.
I remember when I came up to New York to visit the metropolitan museum in the middle of December about 3 years ago, I begged my friends to go back to Philadelphia as soon as we arrived. I truly felt the danger of my life.
Today, I just read the article that some charity organization would help homeless on the street during this time so that they won't be frozen dead.
The winter is coming in New York. For instance, it was supposed to snow today.
From now on, I will layer my clothes and go to work looking like a snowball. Only wish I do not be rolling down from the stairs on the subway like a real snow ball !

A Parkslope Lounge

I am waiting a phone call at 10 p.m. Now, it is 5 to 9. My friend and I am planning to go to a lounge at Parkslope in Brooklyn.
Parkslope used to be a sloppy, dirty and unstructured place where a lot of working-class people lived. However, in recent years, the area has transformed dramatically. Especially 5th Avenue is THE avenue to go.
Brooklyn residents, and even some Manhattan businessmen visit this inexpensive heaven to have fun during weekends. Thousands of restaurants are lining up along the streets against each other. It looks like people being squashed on the train during the rush hour. This 5th avenue is just packed!
I am sure that my artistic friend will take me to somewhere that I have never been tothat would inspires and give me a different perspective on life tonight!

My "Neverland"

The other day, Micheal Jackson's "neverland" theme park or something sounds similar to that closed down due to his financial crisis. However, my neverland will open forever!
The joyful and powerful energy was coming out of each store along with high-pitched paced Latin music. All I could see were from Mexico. For a split second, I thought I was in Mexico, but the next moment, finding the pole painted with three colors that are on the Italian flag; red, white and green, then I wonder that I might be actually in Italy. I had no clue of where I was, but, big and endless blue sky was there. Every single house was flat. Maybe this is California, I thought. However, detecting that greesy unhealthy, but one of Philadelphia's specialty, cheese stake, I finally figured out where I was. I was in South Philly.

South Philadelphia turns its town's color at night, like a camouflage. South Philly after the sunset was incomparably relaxing, but more entertaining than any other area that I knew of. Store lights were beaming and danced with the color of the night. Cheese, pork and pasta that I saw through store windows were just sitting still. No one was there, nothing was moving. There only breathtaking view existed. Oh my, it was just very peaceful.

I felt as if I owned this whole magical theme park all to myself.It is as if I was watching a movie in a huge movie theater all by myself. It was such a treat.

This unexpected excursion made me find my "neverland." It was much more than a $6,000 luxurious tour. I had it without paying a penny. Oh god, that was such a place, and unlike that of the Jackson's, my "neverland" will stay open forever!

Doing it over again!

At 10:17 P.M. on my way back home to Brooklyn, I heard sounds as if someone is reading a newspaper.It was definitely not seven a.m. during the rush hour. It was close to the midnight.

Actually, the sounds came from passengers reading vigorously reading today's newspapers, from metro to NY times. The train filled with non-American including myself. Out of all people sitting in the car, only one person was white. The others were 80 percent Chinese, 20 percent Mexican, and all of their heads were covered with newspapers. Chinese and Spanish on the papers were dancing as they turned over the pages. I also noticed that poster hung on the subway wall that says, "Yes we can." It was striking to see those immigrants, who probably do not speak English well, who do not have high income, and who might not have jobs that they wish, trying to strive and change their lives for the better. Then, I realized that change is not something that falls upon on people by itself, but it is something that we create.

Sometimes, I feel frustrated with my work situation and concern about my future. This on-going economy is making me frightened about my job career and sometimes making me wonder if I could get to where I want to be.

However, the people who were looking for better opportunities and changes, instead of worrying about loss, washed away my trifle anxieties. Change is what we make, not what we receive.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Today, I went on a shoot to the Columbus Circle at Time Warner Center. Apparently, The Holiday under the Stars and Snow program was the main target. At 6:00 P.M. at the entrance of the Time Warner Center, 12 stars hang in the 85 foot high Great Room illuminated by the largest specially crafted display of illuminated co.or mixing in the world started to dance along with various kind of Christmas songs. This exhibition will lasted until midnight, however, it was only 15 minutes when "Magic Snow" fell on the ground.

What most of the people did not notice was that each star was choreographed to change its color with original interpretations of holiday music derived from a 12 person orchestra.

Anyone who used to play any kind of instruments would know that there are many tones and sounds that different instruments make. Indeed, this is the place for them. I used to play piano for over ten years, and I was lucky enough to listen most of the different sounds that various intruments were making.

The timing of me hearing a sound and looking at stars changing was perfect and nothing but magnificent. In addition, the mall doors made of glasses reflected all of the lights and colors of stars, and they merged into the outside scenery; a lightened up fountain, tall monument, cars on a long road. For a second, I was in an illusion that I was in Paris that I saw in the movie. It was breathtaking.

Sometimes, camera lenses cannot show what exactly cameramen and reporters are looking. I just wished so deeply that viewers of this package could feel uplifted and joyful as we got when they watched our show that will be aired tomorrow.

P.S.

I realized that when I see a beautiful thing, I strongly wnat to share wit the feeling with someone that is important in my life. When I was watching 12 stars, all I thought was how satisfied I would be if I were able to share this once-a-year-event with my beloved family.

Draft 1

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Lady With Her Suitcase

It happened at the cafe, which name was impossible for me to pronounce because it is in French! I was lining up in front of a casher with a hot beaf stew soup and a cold cheese bagel for my supervisor. It was quite windy out, which made it harder for a customer to push the heavy door to exit. I also pushed the door with my entire strength,almost attacking the door with my torso.Then, I felt someone standing behind me. It was a lady with a black suitecase. She had beautiful blond hair and and nice white fur coat. I thought it was a commonsense to keep holding the door for her so she could smoothly get out the store with her suitcase while she was on her cell phone. Well, she successfully left the cafe, however, I did not "thank you."
I am not asking her to express her graditude to me. She just horrified me with her behavior making me surprised with how inhumane and ungracious a human being can be.
New York is a fast-speed society. People might not see anything but the way to get to their destinations; workplace, home and bars after work.
I found those people pitiful and unfortunate because they are missing the most important phrase in human life.
The phrase "thank you" is simple. Sometimes we forget and underestimate its power and its value. However, this is the phrase we use most in our entire living lives, I believe. Then, isn't it the time for us to remember how warm inside it made us feel to say and to be said the words

Sunday, November 9, 2008

It was both an ordinary but rare Sunday. The subway window rims cast geometric patterns that moved along the isles. The light passing through the windows bisected faces in light and dark. The sense of peacefulness was all-pervasive. People, dressed in unique, casual or toned-down attire, were squinting their eyes, looking outside the windows into the bright afternoon light. Sunbeams held time tightly in their strong grasp. Passengers sat in golden capsules. It was as if the sun embraced and memorialized all these New Yorkers, lining up their golden busts in a traveling Work Museum. Flashes of light, like sunshine reflecting off the ocean, danced in celebration though the air. Yes, it was an ordinary Sunday in New York, as I walked to the subway, but once on the train, a rare and magical, sunlight excursion took me to a place full of peacefulness and hope.

New York has its own pace, created by New Yorkers, and which victimizes New Yorkers. It is
frightening to see businesswomen and men constantly moving their fingers across their I-phone
keyboards like frantic squirrels rushing to bury their hoards of nuts for the winter. Reading and listening to audio books or music through headphones seem to afford a respite from daily urban tensions, but this “so-called” respite is certainly a continuation of sensory bombardment. The tempo of Times Square, like river rapids, pulls us away from the healthy environment of our inner space. Then why do people seem to choose overstimulation? Much like a child overloaded with sugar, we do not recognize the symptoms.

I believed that I would never become a New Yorker. Limiting myself to an average three hours of sleep in the-city-that-never-sleeps is simply something that I could never do. However, I have had my moments like the time when my sixteen-hour work day came into conflict with my need for winter clothes. I told my boss that I had to leave early to purchase winter clothes. Naturally, my company does not allow personal shopping time during the work day. However, my work day begins and ends as stores open and close; hence, my need for prevarication .