I thought I'd make an update on my progress so far.
As of now, I'm officially accepted to study at Sophia University in Tokyo for the 2008-2009 school year. When I received the official confirmation e-mail at work, I couldn't concentrate at all for the rest of the day. Even accidentally crashing patients into a wall at times (I work at a hospital, pushing patients and specimens around). Although, as I learned from before, being accepted is only half the battle. Until I've boarded that airplane to Narita, and settled into my seat with my violin at my side, will I feel like I truly have made it. Although, if my plane does end up crashing... well, at least I was finally on my way towards accomplishing one very significant lifetime goal. Who would've thought showing a boy Godzilla when he was 4 years old would have bloomed into something like this?
I love boxing. I love the atmosphere. I love the mentality. It's hard not to be motivated when you walk into that gym door. Everyone is there to train hard, to become stronger. It's the kind of environment that just motivates you to continue fighting, even when you feel like you've spent up all your energy. Also, for the past few weeks I've felt a new sort of vitality. I have a lot more energy than I used to, and just feel stronger overall. There's something about boxing I can't quite put my finger on... but it's really something good.
I started playing music with Night of Fungi. This is very interesting music, that I really enjoy. Although we're just babies right now, I hope Night of Fungi matures into a nice healthy mushroom one day. We intend to record this summer before I leave. I've also been talking to a couple guys from Japan, who I may end up playing music with as well. That's something else to be excited for.
The future is mysterious and exciting right now. Most of all, I wish for luck as I apply for Financial Aid to be able to pay for this trip abroad. Otherwise, I'll just try again next year.
Until next time...
γΎγζζ₯！
Showing posts with label Sophia University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sophia University. Show all posts
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Battle Begins!
My study abroad adviser interviewed me today. Just a couple more materials to be sent off to CIEE, and we'll see if I get accepted into Sophia University's program for the next academic year. The whole situation is making me really excited!
Although, on the way to turning in my study abroad materials, a car tried to run a red light right as I was crossing the crosswalk. I kind of made a "what the fuck?" look to the driver and motioned towards the obvious red light above my head. Regardless, when I was out of the way, the driver continued to run the red light. I'd rather not get smashed by a car before I even get the chance to study abroad. What's even weirder, as I was walking away from the campus after turning in my materials, another car ran a red light at a cross walk that I was simultaneously crossing. And when I came to another crosswalk on a different block I became a little more apprehensive, which was good, because this time a car came in relatively fast and stopped over the crosswalk line right where I would've stepped out. This is no time for any attempts on my life! Dear Mr. Assassin, would you mind purging me on a date that is after July 2009? I'd like to spend a year in Japan before my life comes to its bitter end!
With that said, I'm going to be extra careful around things that may paralyze/kill me from the time between now and when I ship off to Tokyo. Regardless, words cannot explain this feeling of excitement inside, as I soon find out whether or not I will be spending the 2008-2009 academic year in Japan!
Although, on the way to turning in my study abroad materials, a car tried to run a red light right as I was crossing the crosswalk. I kind of made a "what the fuck?" look to the driver and motioned towards the obvious red light above my head. Regardless, when I was out of the way, the driver continued to run the red light. I'd rather not get smashed by a car before I even get the chance to study abroad. What's even weirder, as I was walking away from the campus after turning in my materials, another car ran a red light at a cross walk that I was simultaneously crossing. And when I came to another crosswalk on a different block I became a little more apprehensive, which was good, because this time a car came in relatively fast and stopped over the crosswalk line right where I would've stepped out. This is no time for any attempts on my life! Dear Mr. Assassin, would you mind purging me on a date that is after July 2009? I'd like to spend a year in Japan before my life comes to its bitter end!
With that said, I'm going to be extra careful around things that may paralyze/kill me from the time between now and when I ship off to Tokyo. Regardless, words cannot explain this feeling of excitement inside, as I soon find out whether or not I will be spending the 2008-2009 academic year in Japan!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Do you have no choice?
So, this morning one of my Music Theory classmates caught me asleep in the hallway before class.
"Long night?" He said.
"Naw, early morning"
"How early?"
"4 am."
He flipped out! Wondering as to why I, or anyone for that matter, would ever have to wake up that early. I never really found it to be too big of a deal, but he was literally so taken aback that he even told another one of my classmates that I wake up that early every day. Both of them saying, they "couldn't do it" and "more power to you, man."
The thing is, I have no choice.
On days where I have school and work, I don't get home until 11pm (10pm if I'm lucky enough to get a ride). I don't have a practice room at school, or a locker to place my violin. Which means 3 out of 7 days a week, I have virtually no time to practice music. The same goes for conditioning, but Capoeira class takes care of that 2 days a week. I decided to remedy this problem by placing my practice time early in the morning. This is my way of battling musical and muscular atrophy. So why do I say I have no choice?
Well, my violin teacher had told me a story the other week about a time in his life where he was only able to get 4-6 hours of sleep a night for the entire year. He taught lessons all day, seven days a week, and worked on the construction of his new home and studio when he wasn't teaching. Despite all the fatigue and constant work, he never once became ill. He told me that this phenomenon must be attributed to the fact that he knew he had no choice. If he were to shirk his duties his house wouldn't be built in time, which means he wouldn't have a place to continue teaching music lessons, which means he wouldn't have income from his students, which means he wouldn't have a home, which would ultimately lead to his wife leaving him(who also teaches music lessons). He told me this story because his neighbor's Mother had lost all symptoms of arthritis and leukemia had during the time her husband was dying. Previous to the incident, her doctors told her she maybe had a few months to live. Once her husband became ill, she took care of him for four years, with no sign of arthritis or leukemia slowing her down. After his passing, her symptoms came back and within a year she had passed away as well.
All I have are my goals. For me they provide a greater purpose. If I were not constantly working towards these things, I feel that I too may eventually wither away. At times, I may feel so tired and so stressed that I want to give up everything. But I know, if I keep pushing, one day I'll be looking down from the highest heights and be grateful that I persevered through these harder times. So I've made my future my top priority; I have specifics things that I want to do in my life. By putting these things in front of everything else, I have no choice but to keep going.
I'm applying to study at Sophia University in Tokyo this upcoming academic year.If things don't work out, there's always the future.
A lot changed when I began to ask myself "Do you have no choice?"
"Long night?" He said.
"Naw, early morning"
"How early?"
"4 am."
He flipped out! Wondering as to why I, or anyone for that matter, would ever have to wake up that early. I never really found it to be too big of a deal, but he was literally so taken aback that he even told another one of my classmates that I wake up that early every day. Both of them saying, they "couldn't do it" and "more power to you, man."
The thing is, I have no choice.
On days where I have school and work, I don't get home until 11pm (10pm if I'm lucky enough to get a ride). I don't have a practice room at school, or a locker to place my violin. Which means 3 out of 7 days a week, I have virtually no time to practice music. The same goes for conditioning, but Capoeira class takes care of that 2 days a week. I decided to remedy this problem by placing my practice time early in the morning. This is my way of battling musical and muscular atrophy. So why do I say I have no choice?
Well, my violin teacher had told me a story the other week about a time in his life where he was only able to get 4-6 hours of sleep a night for the entire year. He taught lessons all day, seven days a week, and worked on the construction of his new home and studio when he wasn't teaching. Despite all the fatigue and constant work, he never once became ill. He told me that this phenomenon must be attributed to the fact that he knew he had no choice. If he were to shirk his duties his house wouldn't be built in time, which means he wouldn't have a place to continue teaching music lessons, which means he wouldn't have income from his students, which means he wouldn't have a home, which would ultimately lead to his wife leaving him(who also teaches music lessons). He told me this story because his neighbor's Mother had lost all symptoms of arthritis and leukemia had during the time her husband was dying. Previous to the incident, her doctors told her she maybe had a few months to live. Once her husband became ill, she took care of him for four years, with no sign of arthritis or leukemia slowing her down. After his passing, her symptoms came back and within a year she had passed away as well.
All I have are my goals. For me they provide a greater purpose. If I were not constantly working towards these things, I feel that I too may eventually wither away. At times, I may feel so tired and so stressed that I want to give up everything. But I know, if I keep pushing, one day I'll be looking down from the highest heights and be grateful that I persevered through these harder times. So I've made my future my top priority; I have specifics things that I want to do in my life. By putting these things in front of everything else, I have no choice but to keep going.
I'm applying to study at Sophia University in Tokyo this upcoming academic year.If things don't work out, there's always the future.
A lot changed when I began to ask myself "Do you have no choice?"
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