A Yonsei's Reflections...
A Yonsei’s Reflections…on What the Universe is Telling MeBy Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda "Seek out the significance of your problem at this time. Try to understand." -- fortune from a recent cookie The universe is trying to tell me something. Lately, I’ve been getting these “signs” that are telling me that I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
A Yonsei's Reflections...on Where the Trees Take MeBy Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda I'm a city girl...actually, more of a suburbanite. I need certain comforts around me—clean toilets, a shower, comfortable and warm place to sleep, etc. My pale skin proves that I don’t spend a lot of time outdoors. Yet, this year seems to be drawing me out of my normal habits, enticing me with new opportunities to get out in the sun.
A Yonsei’s Reflections...on How I Was Transported by RedressBy Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda My first car was a Toyota Tercel – frosted mint (a pale whitish-green color), two doors, and fairly bare-boned. It didn’t have power windows or doors, but it was all mine. Practical and functional, I had it for ten years before I traded it in for a Toyota Matrix. I rarely had any problems with it...dependable, it took me where I needed to go. My parents purchased it for me using part of my father’s reparations money*. The reason why they purchased it was primarily practical — so my parents didn’t have to drop me off and pick me up from school. Without the $20,000 check from the government, they likely wouldn’t have been able to buy it for me, at least not in cash. I chose the Tercel because we are a family of Toyota owners (a story I’ll save for another time), and it was the least expensive Toyota model available at the time.
A Yonsei’s Reflections…on ConnectionsBy Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda 2007 was a year of change, revelations, and connections. I began the year writing the first in this column series about new beginnings and opportunities. My husband and I settled into our new home, we vacationed in New England for the first time (and ate a LOT of lobster!), and I started a family website to keep in touch with relatives throughout the year. At work, I was involved in many exciting projects that reinforced for me why after over twelve years, I still find fulfillment and exhilaration in working for a non-profit.
Today, basketball and golf are the sports of choice in Japanese American communities, at least it seems to be in Southern California. However, back in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, JA bowling leagues were all the rage. In it’s heyday, you almost had to be on a waiting list to join a team. Leagues were often scheduled back-to-back on the same night.
I feel very fortunate to live in an area that has so many Obon festivals that are relatively accessible if you’re willing to drive. There are three in the Little Tokyo area alone. In addition, I’ve attended or have heard of others at Gardena Buddhist Church, San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Senshin Buddhist Temple, Pasadena Buddhist Church, Oxnard Buddhist Temple, Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, West Covina Buddhist Temple, West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple, and Orange County Buddhist Church. I even know people who drive as far as San Diego and Las Vegas to attend Obon annually.
This Father’s Day my sister and I will be bringing my father to the Japanese American National Museum for the opening of the Landscaping America: Beyond the Japanese Garden exhibition. I am always excited by new exhibitions at the Museum. As someone who works with the project teams to create web components, I get to learn a lot of new and really interesting facts and stories, and then share them with the world.
A Yonsei's Reflections...on J-Town Memories Growing up, we would come into Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district to visit my Murakami Ba-chan who lived in Little Tokyo Towers. We’d take the elevator up to her small apartment with the display case full of kokeshi dolls, then take her out to dinner at Aoi restaurant on First Street. As young kids, my sister and I would always make a stop at the Sanrio store to spend the few dollars we had saved. We loved the stickers, stationery, and other little goodies adorned with Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Little Twin Stars. At the time, their merchandise wasn’t as widely available as it is now, so it was always a special treat.
A Yonsei's Reflections...on the Women Who Inspire Me My grandmother and Yuri Kochiyama are two of the many women who, in their own ways, have helped shape who I am. March is Women's History Month in the United States, so I’ve decided to take some time to reflect on the topic of women—not so much about feminism vs. femininity, but about real women in my family and those that I encounter in my life. Those women who inspire my dreams and aspirations, show me strength, and give me hope.
A Yonsei’s Reflections…on a New Year and New Beginnings Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy New Year! It’s a new year and a time for new beginnings and opportunities. This is the first of my new column series. I’ve never tried formally writing something like this before, so we’ll see how it goes. I’ll be reflecting on a variety of topics – cultural, historical, or just miscellaneous. Expect to see something from me here every other month (if it turns out well, or if I have more I want to expound upon, maybe I’ll write a few extra). Hopefully, you’ll find them enjoyable, or at least interesting. Let me know what you think.
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