What's Going On?

Hello....it's been a while. I made a deal with a friend that today I was going to try to change my mindset, for at least an hour, to be nothing but positive. I think I did it?....I think. My last entry talked a lot about some of the frustration I felt/feel over some situations that had come up towards the end of last year. I think in the end, I am putting more thought into it and most likely the other parties don't think about it at all or maybe could care less? *shrugs*

In any case, a lot has happened...

I was recently promoted at work. Many people ask me, "What the hell do you do?". It's true, I work for a retail company but really have very little to do with the retail side. In my side of the HR department there was a Sr. Director and two Managers (I am on of them). Last month, the other Manager told me she was leaving and the next week my boss tells me HE is leaving too. CRAP! This last month I have been busy, overwhelmed, and anxious. Although there is a lot of work to do--it's stuff that I enjoy so that made it better. So now, I am a Sr, Manager overseeing the Learning and Development for our Headquarters audiences in SF and NY. I have a new boss and we are currently working to fill all of the open spots! To give you a taste of what I do, the following is what is currently on my plate in 2008:

• Design and develop a new employee onboarding curriculum for all new HQ employees.
• Introduce a stretegy for professional development and leadership skillbuilding for Managers of others.
• Implement a Computer Applications Training menu of courses for North America (HQ and Store Mangers).
• Pilot new technology devices for stores from a user acceptance stand-point.
• Design and develop a self management model for individual contributors.
• Own and design the L&D portion of all Director and Above monthly meetings.
• Manage the L&D piece of the Performance Management process at HQ.
• Assist my counterparts with OD/Change Management Strategies for select departments.
• Facilitate programs as needed.
• Maintain any current work that was started in 2007.

SO there you have it. That is what I do.

In addition to that, I volunteered to head up the Asian-Pacific Heritage American Month for all of Gap Inc. This is a global awareness month that reaches everyone at Gap Inc., in all of our brands, countries, stores etc. This year, the group consists of about 13 employess who have volunteered their time in ADDITION to their everyday job to help spread the awareness on the experiences of Asian Americans at Gap Inc. Here is what my project team has planned so far:

1. Gap Web articles on our intranet with everything from employee profiles/stories to interesting Asian American fun facts i.e. Did you know the fortune cookie wasn't even officially introduced to China until 1992?
2. Story contest to get our stores to submit stores on their experience as an Asian American. The winner will be published on our web site.
3. Lunch time cultural performance: Japanese Drumming, Indian Bollywood Dancing, and Filipino Dancing.
4. A speaker event which will feature opening comments from our CFO and CEO and a keynote speach from Yul Kwon--Last season's winner of Survivor.
5. Lunchtime information tables with "Gap Inc." Fortune Cookies (we wrote the fortunes).
6. Asian dishes served in our Cafe's.
7. Weekend volunteering at OASES. An organization in Oakland Chinatown that caters to immigrant youth.

All of this will take place in May. It has been a LOT of work but also a lot of fun. A month ago most of our group didn't even know each other. People on this committee have really pulled together to make it happen. I am excited to see what will happen in May!!!! (Shout out to: Nathan Lee, Mylene Cord, Christina Wong, Khushboo Malik, Brian Urata, Peter Shih, Sarah Boolani, Gloria Chew, Eric Takayama, Sharon Kim, Matt Cruzada, and David Ahn). <----THANK YOU!!!!

On a different note, I also turned 30 last month. I can't be more thankful for all of the family and friends that made this the best birthday ever. It will be hard to top next year. Big THANK YOU to everyone who was a part of my 30th birthday in some way, shape, or form. Especially this year, it truly meant a lot to me.

AND Finally, since my last post in November, I am back at Taiko. After somewhat of a "hiatus" at the end of last year/beginning of this year (bleh) I have once again picked up my Taiko gear and have been trying to get back into shape. I have also been teaching my Adult Recreational Class on the weekends. Taiko is extremely busy right now as we gear up for our 35th anniversary year. We have lots of activities planned--which means it will be a lot of work but also a lot of fun. Check out our website (www.taiko.org) for more information!

I think I have written enough here eh? Hope all the readers are doing well! Wish me luck, it is going to be a busy year!

LateZ!!!!

Finally...an entry.

Sorry folks, I know it's been a really long time since I last updated. I think the last time was during Obon.

Since July I have been learning a lot about myself and.....life? I've had some "time" off work which has given me lots of time to think. 

BUT, first off---HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone. I am extremely thankful for my family and friends that are out there. I appreciate everything you do and, of course,--especially these last few months, everything I have learned from a lot of you.

Over the past few months I have seen the same situation play out in a few different ways in my personal, work, and family lives. I'll just put it out there right now that most of this probably won't make sense to any of you reading this so I guess this entry is more to capture my own thoughts. It all has to do with owning up to mistakes, being honest with yourself and others, and treating people.....like people and not just a problem that you don't want to deal with anymore. I can absolutely appreciate that some people deal with things differently however, at the same time there are times when you need to put your hang-ups aside and look at the bigger picture. For exampe, I am not quite sure what exaclty causes a person to just pick up and walk away---walk away from their problems and ignore them like they've never happened. It's almost scary how some people's lies truly become their reality. It's like when I was a little kid and played hide-and-seek, I use to think if I just sat there and closed my eyes that other people couldn't see me (shut up I was only 4). But now that I am older...it's obvious what a joke that is (I know that some of you are probably laughing right now so I know it would be a joke). Anyway, I guess I was just raised differently? I remember when I started my first job, I was afraid to admit it when I had screwed up. I was afraid because I might look bad, people wouldn't trust me in the future, and I just didn't want to deal with the part of me that is completely capable of screwing up. But shit, you have to be ok with it. We are all human and we will all screw up from time to time. Why not be the first person to raise your hand and say, "yop, it was me that screwed up". Sure it will suck for a while and it isn't easy to clean up the mess but eventually you work it out....right? right!

Being the holiday season, and as we near the end of 2007, I would say--to all of those people out there that just run way, to remember that problems don't go away. When you "free" yourself from a situation, it really only benefits you leaving other people to deal with all of the back lash. Sweeping dirt under the carpet is, of course, easy but in the long run---that dirt is still there and someone has to clean it up.

To all those people I know that have dealt with or are dealing with stuff alone right now--I know the pieces of the puzzle will come together, I know things will get even better, and I know (even though sometimes you feel like you are) you are not alone. To all of those peeps that have "walked away", I hope you are having fun and getting what you need to make yourselves happy. I hope....really hope....that it's all worth it.

And again, as I get ready to eat some good grub, thanks to the good peeps that I can call friends and family. I am thankful for you guys and gals. Happy Thanksgiving as we kick off this holiday season!

Thanks YY for sending this song. Daisuki-dayo lol.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lnI3a507gck

ki-o-tsukete-ne! Mata-ne.....

M

Finally....some laughs!

Before I begin..."Photos by Yuri Yoshida -- Canon Powershot S3 IS".

Anyway, it's been a long time coming....you'd know what I mean if you read my last post.

Anyway, this weekend was San Jose Obon and also the weekend that some of my LA friends come up for a visit. A tradition that we started back in 2001. It was good to forget about all the bad things that go on and just have some real fun with friends. There were a TON of visitors this weekend. Thanks to everyone for the visit. I had a great time and it was much needed. Rather than write about what happened I thought I would share some pics from the weekend.

Some of us started out by eating at Penninsula Creamery. If you ever go there order the Chicken Salad Melt--OISHII!!!

Of course when any JA people get together, there needs to be a potluck. We decided to bring King Egg Rolls--the best egg rolls in Nor Cal.

Here we were as we waited and waited and waited: (L to R: Ogawa, Yamada, Ito, Kondo, Endo....and Yoshida)

Then it was off to da potluck....

Kuni took this pic--yum.....food.

Another Kuni pic

Another Kuni pic wit ur thumbs up!

Me and Yuri (initial attempt at a self shot) ((right before the picture got stuck to her back--long story)).

Then we ate....and practiced "Ei Ja Nai Ka" A dance that was going to be done at Obon. Here is Byron!

Darren drank...these pics were in a different camera so I will have to update later.

Then the next morning we went to watch UCI Irvine's Taiko Group play.

Then CORN seemed to be the theme.

Then SJT performed...

The next two are from Kuni: Me in "7 Lands" and Franco in "Gathering".

Then Kat called BINGO #'s and apparently I slept.

Eating befre odori started (more corn).

Then some lady sat with us--Yuri decided to take a pic of her.

Then dancing started....we had almost 1,000 dancers!

No idea what Hideko and I were doing.

Us dancing...Me, Hideko, Cherie, Roy, Julia, Kuni, Kene, Mike, Yumi, Kitty, Byron, Mika, Darren, Kelly, and Kim---and I don't remember who was down towards the end.

I thought this pic turned out kind of cool (except maybe Yumi).

Then, unfortunately, I don't have any pics from the picnic table...Mika, sorry I kicked your zori across the floor! I thought it was Yuri's. Later when we got back to my place, Darren fell asleep. And it was time to vandalize him. Gomen!

More pics to come soon! Sorry for the long entry. Finally....some laughs.

Currently Listening Memorial Best By Kyu Sakamoto "Sukiyaki" see related

Nanka kawatta koto atta!?

It's been a long time since I've written on this blog. I usually don't go so long without doing it and today seemed like a good time. I'm actually not too sure if anyone still reads this.....or if anyone ever read it in the first place???

Things lately have been.........................going. Summer is here, Obon season is here, and usually this is where work calms down. For some reason-it doesn't feel like "summer". I feel like something is missing. I haven't been myself lately. I can't sleep, I've been really....REALLY busy at work. Because of all of that, I haven't been involved in Taiko as much so I basically feel like somewhat of an outsider there. Health is better but, for certain reasons, not where it should be (More on that later).  I've been working on things though. Trying to make things better for myself etc. We only live once and I don't want to be 97 and look back and say--"shit, I spent my young adulthood as a depressed son-of-a *&%$#". So we shall see.

Thanks to everyone who has been patient with me. I realize this entry is very vague and I'm not giving too many details. And been in moods lately. wakatte...

If you want to know more....just ask. For now, I hope everyone that reads this is doing well and is happy. I know I have a lot to be thankful for. Life is what it is, right?

Enough....

It's over!!!!

Months of prep and now it's all gone...and done! RS 2007 is now a thing of the past. It was a great performance. I was really nervous (for many reasons) but I think I pulled it off. I am not too happy with my performance but we did 3 shows and I'm proud of all of us! Jozu desu ne! Unfortunately, our ENTIRE group could not join in the performance but most of us were there.

Big ARIGATO to...

All Performing Member's, SJT Board of Directors, Stage Crew, Lighting Team, Tech Team, Adult Recreational Class Volunteers, Audition Process Volunteers, Junior Taiko Volunteers, the Crew at the Heritage Theater, and the FANS! You guys rock!!

Most people only see us on stage....well here is a behind-the-scenes look at SAN JOSE TAIKO.

Some of the San Jose Taiko Fellahs

We were so focused on the performance...

Always have to fix the Obi!!!!

Crew of Rhythm Spirit 2007!

"Play like a Tiger!"

Between shows lots of naps....and

Fun with napping people...

. mmmmmrrrrmmphh

Ok fine...I'll stop

ok ONE more!

More naps...

More naps...

More naps...

More naps....

Lunch time

Schedule

Tying shime--REALLY tight!!!!

KA-TONK!!!

OOPS!

I'm the ultimate friend!

Who will fit these?

EMI!

Hope you enjoyed! Until next year!!!! Jya ne....and remember....as a great SJT member once said, "Taiko does not exist to impress....Taiko exists to inspire!"