WEEKS IN MY CHILDHOOD

Now I'm so busy every day because I'm pressed by much homework and I have practice of dance stage on Dec. 26. When I was little I was also busy. I took various lessons in a week. I think I was the busiest elementary schoolchild. I'll introduce my life in a week when I was about 10.

Monday

I went to school in morning, and I studied until evening. From 17:00 to 18:30, I took a lesson of jazz dance at a gym. The instructor of the lesson was a woman named "Mayumi Sensei." She was tall and beautiful, and of course her dance was so nice. During the lesson she taught us dance in earnest, but after the lesson, she talked to us friendly. She was so funny, I cannot forget her. I had taken her lesson for only a few years, I think it was good that I learned jazz dance. I have not seen her for so log time, I want to see her.

Tuesday

After school, I went back home, I had my hair bun hair style by my mother, I wore flesh colored tights, packed the leotards, and went to a studio by train or by my mother's car. I took ballet lessons. It was the hardest time for me in a week. The representative of the studio was "Hiroko Sensei." I was always scared when I meet her. She was usually gentle and kind, but during lessons she scolded the students' mistakes. Especially, at the rehearsal on a stage before the recital, she scolded through a microphone from the seat for the audience. I was made cry by her many many times. I was easy to cry. I always felt bad on the way to the studio, but now I think ballet lesson was best for present me. Ballet makes my dance soft and balanced. I'm proud of that I was a ballerina!

Wednesday

After school I went to a little far (for little me) studio to take dance lesson. The instructor was "To-ru San," who was a member of very famous dance group "PYRO." He was young man so he was like a friend of us. At that time I did not know, he was great and famous dancer in Japan. Though he is not a member, PYRO is very very famous dance group, my friends and seniors also know. To-ru San danced with light steps. I liked him so much because he was really like our friend. We said joked to each other. After a lesson, he always drank packed strawberry milk! Genre of the lesson was house, and now my first genre is also house. I remember his lesson and make use of it in my dance.

Tuesday

After school, I took English lesson for kids. The teacher was my mother! She had taught English to elementary school students at a public hall for about 10 years. The lessons made me have interests in English. At the lesson, we learn English with some games, so we could learn with joy. She was great teacher for me!

Friday

After school and after dinner at home, I took dance lesson. The instructor was Japanese but he was called “Johnny San.” He was an instructor of dance community group which has men and women of all ages, so he taught dance for beginners. All of members were beginner at first, but thanks to him, later all came to dance very well. Some of them are working with dance now. I started dance in this group too. He taught us various genre of dance so we could dance not only one genre. I liked the member too!

Saturday

At morning I took piano lesson for 30 minutes. I think I had no sense of piano; I was really poor at it. Contrary to dance, piano didn’t fit me. But thanks to piano lesson, I got rhythmic sense which is useful to dance. After the piano lesson, I took ballet lesson at evening.

Sunday was the only holiday!

SELF IMPROVEMENT

During this week I changed my own looks a little. I think it is “trifle” for you. But I’m happy to be changed even it is a little thing. I want you to listen to my story!

Firstly, I had my hair cut on Friday. Actually I have made my hair longer and longer since this spring. While I studied for the entrance exam, about a year, I had no time to go to hair salon and have my hair cut. And my favorite actresses such as Yu Aoi had long hair (she had her hair cut very short a few month ago, I was a little disappointedL), I decided to long my hair on that occasion. I dyed my hair in March and I had my hair cut at that time. Since then I went to hair salon to have my hair dyed, and sometimes have my hair cut a little, only the tips of my hair, because I wanted to make mine beautiful long hair. However, one day I noticed that the tips of my hair were so damaged because I had not had my hair cut for about six months. Finally I decided to go to hair salon. This time I was a haircut model so a new woman hairdresser had my hair cut for free! Even now I’m longing for beautiful long hair so it is not big change, only small change. But I somehow feel refreshed now!

Next day, on Saturday, I had my ears pierced. It was that I had longed for a long time. When I was a high school student, I could not do it because of the rule of school. When I entered university, I wanted do it but I was told that it should be done in winter because in hot weather holes of ears fester easily. I waited winter comes, and finally I made an appointment with the doctor. I was really nervous. Is that painful? Can I bear the pain? I was always worrying about it though I wanted to. On the day the clinic was so crowded that I waited for an hour with anxious. My name was called and a nurse explained and decided the positions of hole. She talked with me and I was relaxed. Doctor came to the room and brought piercers. At that time my heartbeat speed was reached its peak and sweated on my palms. But piercing finished in a moment with small pain. Finally I got two pierce holes! For a month I must wear pierces called “first piece” so I cannot chose ones. I’m really looking forward the time I can wear cute ones comes! Please give me present of pieces. ♡ haha

Now I must improve my mind. When spring comes, I will be second grade and freshmen come. I will be a senior. I have to be kind to them, and I want to be close to them. I wish many of them join G-splash. On January, we have first dance showcase of freshmen. We have to make our showcase without any seniors. We decide the music, the choreography, the formation of members… It must be hard work. But we have to make much effort. Fighting! 

JASON MRAZ

The other day I introduced my favorite song “Lady Killer” by Maroon 5. Today I’ll introduce other favorite songs and the singer.

Do you know Jason Mraz? I think many people know him. Even if you don’t know his name, you may have heard his songs. He is an American singer and songwriter. He was born in Commonwealth of Virginia in 1977. He sings on slow and gentle music with speedy lyrics. He started live performance at a coffee shop “Java Joe’s” in San Diego in 1999, and he released his first CD. That was acoustic live CD recorded at the coffee shop. He released his second album “Mr. A-Z” in 2005, and that recorded fifth ranking in the album chart of all America. His third album ” We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things” was released in 2008 and got third ranking. The most famous his song in this album “I’m Yours” recorded the first rank all over the world and it was nominated for Grammy award of the year. As you can see, he is loved not only in America but also all over the world. Out of his songs, I’ll introduce two songs.

“I’m Yours”

As I mentioned above, Jason Mraz’s best hit song is “I’m Yours.” I listened to his song for the first time last year. My favorite artist sang the phrase of this song. At that time I was interested in this song because I liked the artist, and I listened to the full of song on YouTube. I was totally fascinated this song in a blink of an eye. The sound of guitar and his gentle voice are mixed beautifully and penetrate in my mind. The lyrics are also nice. The hook of this song is below:

  So I won't hesitate no more, no more

It cannot wait I'm sure

There's no need to complicate

Our time is short

This is our fate, I'm yours

This describes a man’s uncontainable feeling for his loving women. He loves her too much so he wants to get her his own. The line “I’m yours” is like “I love you” but it expresses stronger feeling, I think. He wants to keep her to himself. He seems to be madly in love with her!

“Everything Is Sound”

This is not famous song I think. There may be those who know only “I’m Yours” in his song. But I really recommend you this song. The time I knew this song was when I watched my brother’s dance movie. He uploaded the movie which is taken in Hawaii. He dances on this song in the movie. With nice choreography, with wonderful landscape, and with beautiful music, he dances. I watched it again and again and listened to this song. At the ending part of this song, Jason Mraz sings on music in little volume. We can listen to his voice at the part. His voice is really really beautiful and attractive. To tell the truth, when I listened to this song for the first time without the artist name, I didn't notice that this song is by Jason Mraz. When I knew these two songs are both by him, I noticed that I was attracted his voice.

When you are happy, you can appreciate his songs. When you are sad, his songs will make you happy. When you are busy, his songs will make you feel relaxed. When you are sleepy, you can sleep soundly with his songs. I hope you will listen his songs and like them. When you listen to them, please post a comment with your impression!

SOPHIA FESTIVAL

From November 1st to 3rd, Sophia Festival was held at Sophia University. There are many stalls at campus, and many groups performed on the stage. G-splash, the street dance circle I belong to, have performance every year too. Actually, the performance at Sophia Festival was what I had been looking forward to in all of events of G-splash since I joined it because I can show my dance in front of many friends. This time I was a member of genre of house dance. At first, I was really nervous and worried about whether I could become close to friends in house because I was in genre of lockin' until this summer. However, all my friends and my seniors really really kind to me from the beginning, so I was relieved. 18th, the top seniors of house were Kurumi-san and Yu-san. They made musics and choreograph to us. Kurumi-san is so cute. When I was talked to by her, I was surprised at her cuteness. She makes funny and unusual choreograph, so her cuteness and her choreograph attracts audiences' eyes. Yu-san is the leader of us and beautiful lady. I have thought that she was cold to us because of her cool and calm looking, but actually she has cute character, especially, when she is with her boyfriend. We have also another 18th senior, he is Tomoki-san. He put enthusiasm into every our practice times, so I did not feel tired thanks to him. He is so tall (maybe over 190cm), funny, and very very kind. The performance at Sophia University was the last stage of 18th seniors.

The practice started on September 19th, and we practiced for three hours twice a week. There were only seniors and friend I loved much. For me, the practice days were not pain but happy time. I was looking forward to next practice days every day. At the same time, I had another practice at midnight every Tuesday. It was practice of hip hop special. The end of summer vacation, the audition of it was held and choreographer chose the members. I challenged it and miraculously I was chosen for one of them. Midnight practices were not unfamiliar to me, and I have classes on Wednesday, I was really sleepy during the classes. There were some days I did not want to go to practice, but dance was what I want to do so I made efforts every week. From October 15th, every day practice started. We practiced every day for about three weeks. Many members got a cold and the looked really tired, of course me too. However my friends encouraged me and each other. I was really helped by them.

On November 3rd, the performance day, it was a little cold day. Before the performance, at the back of the stage, our seniors gave us comments with tears. I also cried seeing them. In front of the stage, many many people were coming to watch our performance. Once I was on the stage, I felt really good, and I could dance with smile. After that, our captain of G-splash, Kyon-san talked to us, I was so moved. Through Sophia Festival, I could talk with and I was much closer to my seniors and friend. I'm already looking forward to next Sophia Festival. Thank you so much, 18th seniors!

 

These are videos I performed. Please check these and find me!

 

 

JUJUBE

I hope you already know my name. My name is Natsume. “Natsume” means jujubes in English. Do you know jujubes? It is not famous one, so maybe you don’t know, and actually I also don’t know well. So I researched about it and introduce it today.

Firstly, I’d like to talk about the reason why my name is Natsume. When my oldest brother was 3, my mother was pregnant. While he was taking a walk with my mother, she found trees of jujubes and told him its name is natsume in Japanese. The nuts were little and cute, and had red color. He saw them and said to her, “If this baby is a girl, I want to name her Natsume because I hope she becomes cute like these nuts.” The baby was a boy (he is my second oldest brother), and 7 years later, I was born and named Natsume by my oldest brother. Who were you named by? I think it is not common that brother or sister names his or her younger siblings. When I was told this story by my mother, I was so happy and I came to like my name much more than before.

Jujube tree is deciduous one. Its nuts are about 2cm, and when it gets ripen, it becomes red. It is famous for its nutritive value and often used as an herb medicine especially in China. Jujubes are said to be the big five fruits in China with peaches, plums, apricots, and Japanese apricots. There is a proverb that if you eat three jujubes a day, you don’t age because of the nutritive value. Not only in China, jujubes are eaten in some countries. In Taiwan, people eat green unripe ones. I also have eaten some before. It tasted like apples. In Korea, it is used in Samgyetang, a nourishing food. Jujube tea is popular too, but I don’t like the taste. In Western countries, it is sometimes used in candies. Jujubes are loved by people in all over the world.

Of cource jujubes are loved in Japan too. You can see dried jujubes at supermarkets. And there are small containers called natsume. It is used for put Japanese tea leaves. The shape of it is like a jujube so it is called natsume in Japanese. I think the word natsume has Japanese images. When I become an old lady, maybe my name fits me. Actually natsume is sometimes used as a name of Japanese restaurant and shops. I like something Japanese so it is one of the reason I like my name.

I'm thankful to my family for giving me my name of Natsume. This name is not common so everyone quickly remember my name. I feel happy when my family and my friends call my name. And my name is written in Hiragana, Japanese style, so it looks soft and feminine. I'm proud of my name and also jujubes. I hope everyone know about jujubes much more. I want to be loved by everyone in all over the world like jujubes.

LADY KILLER

This time I’ll introduce a song I’m listening to almost every day recently. The name of the song is “Lady Killer.” It is sung by maroon 5. They are famous American rock band composed of five men. They are famous and popular also in Japan, and they held their concerts in Budokan and so on. They have many hit songs, for example, “Sunday Morning” and “Moves Like Jagger.” But “Lady Killer” is maybe not so famous. I listened to the song for the first time when I went to take a dance lesson. I learned choreography on this song. Since then the song is my favorite song. At first, I had interest in only the melody and the voice. Later, I read the lyrics and I found it is strange.

 Ooooh

 She’s in it just to win it

 Don’t trust her for a minute

 Ooooh

 It’s a like cheap thriller

 She’s such a lady killer

It is the hook (high point of a song) of “Lady Killer.” In this song, “she” is referred as “lady killer” and an insane girl. And after this is the part I danced on and I felt horror and a little excited.

 Baby she’ll eat you alive, as soon as she smells you blood in the water

 You better run to survive, before she makes you her latest slaughter

 How could you do it? oh, just come back to me, baby i’m begging please

 How could you do it? oh, she knows I love you still, you’re just a ladies killer

Who is “she”? Who is “you”? What is relationship between “she” and “you”? It seems that many this song’s fans think about the meaning of this song like me. I found a lot of interpretations on Internet. The interpretations are different from each fan.

Interpretation 1

There are three people: a boy (the point of view), a girlfriend of the boy, and the girlfriend’s friend. The girlfriend’s friend love and want the boy. The girlfriend’s friend wants them to separate so she tries to trick the girlfriend. The boy notices her thought and he warns his girlfriend. He refers the girlfriend’s friend as killer.

Interpretation 2

This song is about a man who was left by his girlfriend. The man begs her to come back to him instead of staying with "lady killer" (I don't know what does mean this "lady killer"). Some people interpret that this man is Adam Levine, the singer of maroon 5, and he sings to his girlfriend.

Interpretation 3

"Lady killer" is just a girl who goes out of her way to hurt others!

Eventually I couldn't find exactly correct answer, but I think the first interpretation is interesting. I always listening to only music and don't think about the lyrics. This was the first time. Once I started to consider meanings of the lyrics, I found it interesting, and I came to want to know why did the song writer (including Adam Levine) write this song. Since today, I'll listen to many songs with the lyrics. If I find favorite songs and lyrics, I'll tell you about it on this blog. I put a video with the lyrics of "Lady Killer," so please let me know your interpretations!

SUMMER

I was really looking forward to summer vacation at the end of last semester. I didn't enjoy summer vacation last summer because I was a student preparing for an entrance examination, so I spend all last summer studying. In contrast, I had two months summer vacation this year! I decided to enjoy this summer to my heart's content.

My summer vacation started with summer camp of G-splash, the dance circle I belong to. It was held in a site of a training camp. The schedule of the camp was so hard to me. We practiced all day long in very hot rooms, and moreover, our group continued practice until midnight on the first day. I was so tired and sleepy, but actually I enjoyed the time because I love dance. On the second day, we all performed our dance with costumes. We had nine groups, and after the performances we voted and decided the No.1 groups. I was in lockin' group, and we got second place! I'm grateful to our seniors. At the second night I don't have to practice any more, but my body wanted to move, so I practiced some steps with my friends. It was so fun! At the summer camp, I was really stimulated by our friends' dance. My friends around me always stimulate me in dance. I'm happy to have such friends. After the summer camp, I became love dance much more, and I wanted to try anything. I went to take a dance work shops of a famous dancer from America. I was really nervous, but his dance was so attractive that I really enjoyed dancing his choreography. Of course he had lessons in English, so I could study English a little. It was good experience and good memory for me.

I also spent this summer working part-time job. The restaurant I work is Hawaiian one and near the beach, so many many people came in this summer. The restaurant is so famous and popular that there were a long line of people in front of the restaurant every day. I was so busy with taking their orders, carrying many plates, clearing the tables and so on. At first, I made a lot of mistakes and I was scolded our managers so I don't like working there. But now I work with joy. When I see our guests eating with smile, when they tell me thanks, I feel happy. Guests from foreign country often come to the restaurant. But I couldn't wait on them in English well. I have to make an effort with English.

Actually, I have little chance to improve my English. I wanted to study abroad in short time, about a month. Some of my friends went abroad and had a great experience. At the next vacation, maybe from February to March, I will go abroad and study English. As the preparation of it, I have to make an effort in this semester. I have to attend the classes more actively, and I want to improve my English. I want to read many books and stories. This blog will give me chances to keep in touch with English. It was hard task for me last semester, but I'll stick it out!

WRITING

Since I was little, I have touched English. My mother taught English to children, so there were many foreign friends of hers and they talked to baby me in English. I started to study English when I was elementary school student, which was earlier than my friends. For these reasons, I did not have any resistance to study Engｌish deeply, and I really wanted to know about it much more. I had good opportunities to study English in both junior high school and high school. Especially, in my high school, English education is encouraged. I was taught native English and I could feel that my English skil was improved. I had a little pride of my English.

However, when I took classes in Sophia University, I noticed that my English level is very low. When I took writing class of Professor Leyda for the first time, I felt much uneasiness because I could not understand what she said. "Why am I in this class? Can I get along this class for a year?" I was about to cry. And I also suffered homework. In fact, I had no experience of writing long works such as an essay. I had written only something like a diary about my summer vacation. Writing a 600 words blog was hard work for me at first. All my friends attending this writing class have very good skills of writing, so I felt inferior to them. Even now, the posts on my blog are like diaries about my summer vacations. But I feel less pain to write 600 words than before. When I write about my favorite things, for example, dance, my friends, my family, and so on, I had many things I wanted to write, so I even felt 600 words were little for me! I came to enjoy writing posts. I think by writing casually about my favorite topics, my writing are improved a little. At least, I came to like to write in English.

The biggest problem of mine in English was writing an essay. I did not know and hear MLA style and I had no knowledge on writing it. I did not know what should I do firstly in writing an essay. What is the most difficult for me is a word "academic." I can feel free when I write a blog post, but I have to follow academic style of writing when I write an essay. Maybe my first essay in this class was terrible. When it was returned by Professor Leyda, many comments by her on it. In this class, I could learn about how to write little by little. The lectures were understandable for students who have no knowledge about writing like me. I had an opportunity to write a term paper in 1000 words at other class. It was very very hard work, but if I had not attended this writing class, it would have been much harder. I already know academic form because I learned in this writing class. To my joy, score of the term paper was not bad! I was grad! I'm not good at writing an essay and a paper even now, I wonder if my skills became a little better.

Now, I have a thing that I want to get in writing. This is a sense of putting a title. On the term paper, I got a comment on the title. I always have difficulty in putting a title on my work. A title should convey the contents of the paper, but it should not be long, so I have to make a title which expresses exactly and briefly. It is difficult for me. Being able to put a good title is one of my aims next semester.

My writing skill is still bad, but maybe it became better than before. Thank you, Professor Leyda!

THINGS I LOVE

I like the time when I’m talking about my favorite things. Do you know a song “My Favorite Thing”? This song appears in a musical movie “The Sound of Music”. This is televised before I was born, and I really like it. In this movie, when children are afraid of thunder, a woman as a main character, Maria lists her favorite things with melody. For example, “raindrops on roses,” “cream-colored ponies,” “snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,” and so on. And there are following lyrics.

When the dog bites,

When the bee stings,

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things,

And then I don't feel so bad.

I have the same feeling as these lyrics. My face when I’m talking about my favorite things is best, I think!

Firstly, I like to learn foreign languages. In fact, I don’t like “study” something, so I don’t like “study” foreign languages. However, I’m interested in them, so I want to know them. I chose Spanish as my second foreign language. The reason I chose it is that I have Spanish friends. They have been kind to me and my family and made a lot of Spanish food. With them, I have known some Spanish culture, so I chose it. I study it in class so sometimes I don’t like it. lol And I know some Korean words because my friends can speak Korean. I also know only a few French words. I was taught by a friend who is in the department of French and by a friend who have returned from France. I like to know this way to know foreign languages. I also teach them Spanish words I know!

Secondly, I’ll talk about my favorite food. I have almost no food I dislike. I eat everything! I especially like cheesecakes! Why is this so yummy? It has unbelievable taste! There are some kinds of cheesecakes in the world. My best is baked cheesecakes. I sometimes make it. Not only cheesecakes, I like whole sweets. I started part time job at a Hawaiian restaurant last month as an opening staff. This restaurant is famous for pancakes. Whipped cream like a tower (about 15cm high!) on five pancakes with fruits and macadamia nuts. I ate it a little, and it was really good! Please go to the restaurant and try one! Like a Hawaiian food, I also like foreign food, for example, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and of course I love Japanese food too! I think Japanese food is great and popular because it is healthy and delicious. We Japanese should be proud of our country’s food.

Next my favorite thing is colors. I like pink and purple. Colors I like are not vivid pink and purple but light and pale ones. These are called pastel colors. Small shelves in my room have pink and purple colors and a television on these shelves also is pink and purple. Curtains and my computer are pink, and some items decorating my room are purple. Now nails of my feet are painted with pink and purple manicure. People may think pink and purple are flamboyant and may have an image that people who with these colors are strong-willed. In fact I think like that if these colors are vivid. However, pastel colors express gentle and girly image I think. Maybe it is only me that talks about pink and purple enthusiastically! haha

If you feel afraid, lonely, sad, and angry, try thinking about your favorite things. You will be happy like the children in the Sound of Music!

MY BEST BUDDIES

July 8, 2012 - It became one of the most memorial days for me. At that day, G-splash, which is the dance circle I belong to, had an event called “G-event.” I made a group with my friends and practiced for this event. The members are composed of Go-chan, Kenta, Yusuke, Yo, Yoko, Maharu, Saori, Minami, and me. I talked about them a little on my last post and Maharu already wrote the details of them so please check this.

First, I’ll begin with talking about the development of making our team. A senior of us had a dance lesson on a holiday to us. The students of this lesson were only five or so. But her lesson became popular among us and the number of students had gradually increased. The senior talked us about G-event, and gave us a chance to make a team and show our dance. We made a team with nine of the students, and named our team “AQUO.” We practiced much with the senior and other two seniors. They teach us politely and merrily at every lesson. As we had practiced, we gradually became close. Honestly, I was not good at talking with boys so I wasn’t comfortable with them at first. But they are so kind and funny that I came to like the time with them. The girls were the very ones I love. They are not only cute but crazy. When I was with them, I’m always laughing. They make me crazy too! These boys and girls became my teammates.

 Next topic is the practice days. At first, we practiced from the basis with the seniors of us every Saturday. One day, the seniors asked us if there is anyone who wants to choreograph. I wanted to, so I stood as a choreographer and they told me to make a little part. Go-chan also did. Most of all are choreographed by the seniors. I had made some choreographed since I was a high school student. Making choreography was hard for me when I did for the first time, and sometimes I feel afraid of if my choreography is loved by friends still now. I had such a feeling too when I show my choreography to members of AQUO. Is this not cool? Doesn’t this fit to the music? How do they think of this? I felt uneasy! But some said to me “I like your choreography.” I was so grad and felt relieved. They asked me about my choreography and I was happy when such time. Go-chan’s choreography was so cool. I like his! The senior’s was so great that I was surprised. I want to be able to make like theirs. We came to practice every day even without the seniors. The everyday practice is not easy, but I didn’t feel pain because of the members. We had lunch together some times. My friends (not AQUO) often told me they envied me because we are so close. It was my pride that we are close and each the members have desire for self-improvement. We made T-shirts as our costume and we became one much more!

 On July 8, finally we showed our dance. When I stand on the stage, many shouts of audiences came to my ears. During our show, shouts didn’t stop. I also heard my name shouted. My feeling was supreme while I was on the stage. I really love dance on a stage in front of audiences nevertheless I’m seen as quiet and shy. This time was especially fun because of lovely AQUO members. I can’t express a lot of thanks of mine for the seniors and my members. Thank you and I love you!

CHALLENGE

I like challenging. It is since I was a child. I think it is my family’s influence.They always challenge, and sometimes get successes. I have learned dance sinceI was 6, and I challenged by taking some dance auditions. I’ll talk about the biggest one of them.

Do you know "a-nation"? It is very big music festival in japan. It is held every summer at some stadiums in Japan. Many famous and popular singers appear, so a lot of people come to see and the tickets are quickly sold out. They give amateur dancers chance to dance at the opening of this festival. The dancers who dance there are called “act dancers.” Many people can be act dancers at one time, but applicants are much over passed ones every year. I took the audition when I was 11 for the first time. We were taught long choreograph by choreographers in only 30 minutes. They taught us politely, but there were so many applicants, not only kids, rather most were adults, so I could not see the choreographer teaching in front of us. We were given an hour to practice, and then showed the dance in front of judges in order. I really got tense, and I could not dance well. I progressed till the final stage, but I was not chosen as a member ofact dancers that year. I was really vexed.

Next year, when I was 12, I challenged the audition again. This time, I took more actively. I kept forward of the applicants when we were taught choreograph.When I was showing my dance, I kept smiling and looking at the judges. When the staff called my number as one of passed applicants, I was surprised and so glad. My two elder brothers also passed. I was an elementary student, so I was chosen as a kid dancer. Actually, kid dancers are more highly competitive than adult dancers because they select only about 20 kids while about over 50 adults. The kid dancers are all elementary students, so we became befriend soon. They dance very well and powerfully, and I was stimulated by their dance. I practiced every day and sometimes my brothers gave me advices. I was really looking forward to the time we show my dance at the stage in the stadium in front of a lot of people.

At the morning of the day we show the dance, I had my hair arranged by my mother. I did not get tense even behind the stage. I was just exited. The music was played in big volume and I run to the stage. I saw much more people than I had expected in front of us. They jumped with our dance. I felt much exciting I cannot experience anymore! It was like a dream! The time finished like a storm. However, the producers gave another surprising present. We could dance with a famous and popular singers group! The time they sing is the last but one, so people got more excited. They waved penlights with the singers and we also waved our hands. I felt as if I had controlled them because they behaved in the same way as me. The time was night, so the view from the stage was so beautiful. I cannot forget it.

I experienced great thing. I was also grad to dance with my brothers on the same stage. I think challenging is more important than you think. Sometimes you may feel repentance if you challenged and failed, but it is also good experience. I’ll continue to challenge actively!!!

G-SPLASH

There are some dance circles in Sophia University. I belong to one of them, G-splash. It is said to be the biggest dance circle in Sophia University. It is formed in 1993, and I was born in 1993, so it is the same age as I. It is famous among dance circles in many universities. One of the reasons that I had wanted to enter Sophia University is G-splash. I have danced since I was an elementary school student, so I wanted to join a dance circle. I knew G-splash is a big one when I was a high school student, so I decided to be a student of Sophia University, and to join G-splash. In fact, if I were not a student of Sophia University, I could join it. Happily, I became a member of G-splash!

We who joined G-splash this year are 20^th members. This year, much more people joined it than ever, about 120 members, so there are some members I don’t know his or her name. Our 20^th member’s first stage is Spring Party, which is called “Harupa.” Many dance circles show their works there. We 20^th members are divided into two groups: Hip Hop and Lock. I’m a member of Lock. Two 19^th seniors taught and choreographed dance to us. Our seniors of Lock are Ryosuke-san and Myu-san. Their dance is wonderful and attractive. Actually, I didn’t like Lock dance, but I came to like it because of them. They are also really kind to us. The everyday practice of Harupa was hard, but they cheered us and made us relaxed. They named our Lock team. The name is “Myusuke Lock” (“myu” of Myu-san and “suke” of Ryosuke-san). I like it very much! Our first stage was like a storm. I don’t remember the time when I was on the stage. Maybe I was excited and got a little tense. I was happy to dance with members of Myu-suke Lock! My thanks for Ryosuke-san and Myu-san are too much to describe.

Our next stage is G-event. This time, we make a group and choreography by ourselves. I made a House dance group with my friends, and one of them is Maharu, who is in this writing class. The name of our group is AQUO. Thankfully, our 19^th seniors of House help us with choreography. I also choreographed a little. I learned House when I was an elementary school student. It is what I can’t say to them because I would be embarrassed… I love them members of AQUO so much! They practice really hard and help me. And they are kind and funny. I’m looking forward to the next practice every day. I love to dance House and I love to meet them and my seniors. Probably, my parents and friends will come to see my dance at G-event, so I have to practice hard, because this is the first time my friends in Sophia University see my dance. I have something like a confident because we are the best members. If our 18^th seniors think our dance as good one, our time to go on stage is later. The better, the later. In order to repay an obligation to the 19^th seniors who help us, I have to do my best. Now I’m always thinking about dance. It’s my happiness!

p.s. Maharu also wrote about G-splash on her blog, so please check it and leave some comments!