I was able to enjoy a fulfilling February, adjusting to the fluctuating temperatures. I practiced two short pieces with a hesitant, sigh-like quality: Paradis’s “Siciliano” and Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana.” My joints tend to stiffen in the cold, so using a big vibrato also helped rehabilitate my fingers. I would love to play together if I had a piano player. (Michiko)
As a rabbit landlord, I went to the Fujisawa Tax Office to file my tax return. I went there early in the morning in the pouring cold rain, got a numbered ticket, and killed two hours. With the help of a kind tax office staff member, I was able to complete the entry on my smartphone. I’m a timid rabbit, so I’m worried about clicking the wrong button when entering my information at home. I’ll ask the tax office to help me again next year. They said, “Please come!” (Michiko)
A few days ago, around lunchtime, I was at a crowded Odakyu Line ticket gate. A foreigner who was looking at her smartphone called out to me in English. She asked me where the ticket gate for Kamakura was, and I taught her. After finishing my errands, I went back to the Odakyu Line platform. The platform was narrower than before due to construction work, and there was a long line. I was carrying a cane and shopping bags, so I couldn’t squeeze between people, so I walked on the yellow tactile paving toward the front of my destination train. It occurred to me: visually impaired people using white canes might one day fall in an unexpected accident. Recently, new stairs were installed to get off the JR line, but I felt that the Odakyu Line platform on the first floor had created an even more inconvenient and dangerous route for people with mobility issues and poor eyesight, including myself, who have difficulty using stairs. I hope that in the future, the construction process will be carefully considered to make local residents safer and happier. (Michiko)
This past week I was able go to Kona on the island of Hawaii for a diving job and I was able to revisit my favorite diving spot which I have written about before called two steps. The last month or so Oahu has had very strong winds and rainy weather but in Kona because of the way the mountains are formed they did not get the winds or the bad weather and as soon as I got off the plane I was surprised on how nice it was. The diving at two steps was probably the best I have had yet and my students and I got very lucky because dolphins came over to where we were! I was only there for 3 days but hopefully will go back soon!
This was my 24th Yamaha drum lesson at Fujisawa Yurindo. A year has passed. (Started on March 7th, 2025. 30-minute individual lessons twice a month). I enjoyed the lessons, learning a new sensation in a fresh way and also finding similarities with the violin. For my second year, I told the Yurindo Yamaha office staff and my drum teacher about the direction I was considering. I may change the pace a little, but I will continue to enjoy learning. (Michiko)
Baba-san came to celebrate my birthday a day early, bringing a delicious bento lunch. I had a wonderful lunch with Sumie-san. For dinner, I also received some home-cooked side dishes prepared by her husband, Tsutomu-san. It was a heartwarming day thanks to this kind-hearted couple. Thank you very much. (Michiko)
It’s another cold day today. I have a regular appointment with the ophthalmologist. When I got home, I made a late lunch. I cooked a warm milk soup with green onions, cabbage, carrots, and bacon. (Michiko)
I don’t have a drum set at home. Until my next lesson, all I can do at home is practice by looking at the sheet music and imagining the rhythm. I do air drumming and mouth drumming. (Michiko)