Slice of Life

First Marching Band Performance

"Marching Band" Leander, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 31.5mm, f/16, 1/10 sec, ISO1600
 “Marching Band” Leander, 2018

こなばんは。How’s it going?

Tonight Koa performed at his first high school football game. He’s part of the Front Ensemble, which is part of the Drum Line. Since he plays the vibraphone, and those instruments are so large, he just stays at the front of the band with the rest of the front ensemble, and their marimbas, gongs, and other large percussion pieces.

After the game, I asked if Koa liked it and he said it was super-fun! I’m glad he enjoyed his first-ever high school band game. They sounded great, btw!

"Stadium" Leander, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 18mm, f/6.4, 1/420 sec, ISO200
 “Stadium” Leander, 2018

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

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Slice of Life

Neighborhood March

"Neighborhood March" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 18mm, f/7.1, 1/900 sec, ISO400
 “Neighborhood March” Cedar Park, 2018

こなばんは。How’s it going?

This morning Koa’s marching band had a “March-a-thon” through the neighborhood as a fund-raiser, practice, and to have fun. It was pretty cool! I think all the kids (especially the Freshmen like Koa) had a blast and it was really special because they had a police escort as they marched on the streets. I think the route was about 2 miles from the high school to the elementary school that both Bay and Koa attended, and it was under the hot sun so the Koa was pretty wiped out in the afternoon. But he had a great time, and it was awesome to see him marching with the band, even though he wasn’t playing an instrument. (Front ensemble percussion instruments are too big to march with).

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

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Slice of Life

High School Band and Writing by Hand

"First Band Performance" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/220 sec, ISO200
 “First Band Performance” Cedar Park, 2018

Koa started his high school band performance career today with a show for the band parents at the football stadium this evening. It was cool to watch them really get into their performance.

The percussion section (of which Koa is a part of) is always having fun. Because of the size of the instruments, they don’t march with the rest of the band, but are instead situated right in the front, hence the name “front ensemble”. And because they aren’t marching, they get to bob their heads and get into the groove. I suppose it would hard to stand still anyways, being in percussion after all! And it’s a lot of fun to watch them all enjoying themselves. In Koa’s words, “Oh yeah, we’re always having fun up there.”

In blogging-related news, I read an article that talks about the importance of writing using a pen and paper instead of typing on the keyboard, and how that physical activity can stimulate creativity. So that is what I am starting to do now. But, dang, my hand hurts! I gotta get used to this…

"Writing" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
 “Writing” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

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Slice of Life

Driving Soon

"Driving Soon" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO640
 “Driving Soon” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today is the last day of summer vacation for the kiddos, and this year both of the boys will be in high school – one will be a senior and the other will be a freshman. It’s crazy how fast they grow up.

Bay will be getting his driver’s license soon and we’ve been practicing a bunch lately. Today’s photo is one that I took from the passenger seat and you can see Bay in the reflection of the gear selector. He’s a pretty good driver, so I’m not too worried about him on the road. He’ll be fine. (I keep reminding myself of that) 😀

In other news, I’ve been playing both my ukuleles every day, but I have to say that I love the newer Kala pineapple ukulele a lot more than my old Hilo. It’s just a lot more fun to play, and the soprano sound is very cool. But, I still play the concert ukulele because it has the low-G on it and there are a couple songs that I practice that require it.

Someday, I’d like to get another soprano ukulele (I prefer that size now) and put a low-G on it. But for now, I’ll stick with the Hilo concert ukulele.

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

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Slice of Life

University Info

"Rice University Presentation" Round Rock, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
 “Rice University Presentation” Round Rock, 2018

こなばんは。How’s it going?

This evening we attended a presentation about Rice University. It was a general information session which universities often give to prospective students and their parents, describing what the university has to offer, the academic highlights, campus life, and financial information.

Bay is interested in Architecture and Rice is the #6 ranked school for Architecture, so it’s on the list of potential schools. I think it would be a great choice, but the Architecture program is 6 years instead of 4, so not sure if that is an advantage or not. Rice is only a few hours away by car, so he’ll still be close by, but I don’t think Bay has any interest in living in Houston (or Texas for that matter).

Anyway, we’re starting to prepare for applications. It’s hard to imagine that a year from now, Bay will be in college and most likely staying in the dorms far away from home! 😮 They grow up so fast…

I hope you had a nice weekend!

またね～

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Food / Slice of Life

Koa Style

"Chili Gohan" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, ISO1600
 “Chili Gohan” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Tonight’s photo is of “chili-gohan” which is chili over rice, with an egg on top. I guess “tamago” should be in the name of this dish, but oh well. The chili is a veggie chili that Mariko made, and the egg was from one of my coworker’s chickens. Fresh eggs are so yummy!

But tonight’s post is about “Koa-style” food which is basically whatever is in the bowl all mixed up. As you can see in the photo, the chili, rice, and egg are all mixed together. Koa does this with so many dishes, including curry rice, rice and beans, and oyako-don. I believe that one day he’ll grow out of this practice, but for now, it’s just his way. 😝

"Koa Style" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, ISO3200
 “Koa Style” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

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Food / Slice of Life

End of Band Camp

"Concert" Waco, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 39mm, f/4, 1/30 sec, ISO640
 “Concert” Waco, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today Koa’s week-long band and orchestra camp concluded with performances at the concert hall at Baylor University. Koa was part of the percussion section for the Wind Ensemble, but also played percussion with the Symphonic Orchestra, which was pretty cool. If you don’t know, the band does not have string instruments, while orchestra does. So it was a treat to hear him play with the orchestra today! It sounded fantastic! In the piece below, Koa plays the cymbals.

He enjoyed the camp so much and said he learned a lot – not only about how to play, but also about different ways to learn and I think it really broadened his musical horizons, and he also grew as a person. The band directors are a much higher level than he is used to, and everyone at the camp was serious about their music and were great musicians. I think Koa was both humbled and inspired by his peers. You can tell he is even more enthusiastic about his musical career. It’s really great.

After returning home, we decided to celebrate with some sushi at Kula kaiten sushi. It was pretty fun, although I’d give the sushi a 6 out of 10. The tempura earns a 3 though… But kaiten sushi is was fun and we had a nice time!

"Sushi" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
 “Sushi” Austin, 2018
"Conveyor Belt" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO400
 “Conveyor Belt” Austin, 2018

A long long day (I hit the road at 6 am) so it’s time for rest!

おやすみ！

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