Tag: kids

University Info

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"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～

Koa Style

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"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～

End of Band Camp

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"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！

Another Pianist

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"First Lesson" Austin, 2018
Photo info: Motorola Moto G (4), 3.64mm, f/2, 1/17 sec, ISO500
 “First Lesson” Austin, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

So, continuing with the music theme that has dominated the family news lately, Koa has started taking piano lessons. His first class was tonight and he said it was fun but tough to remember all the fingering for the scales. I’m excited to hear his progress, though! And it was fun to dig up Bay’s old piano books for Koa to use. 懐かしい！

In other news, Bay is getting ready to head off to a summer architecture camp. He’ll be gone for four whole weeks! It’s at USC, though, so it’s nice that my family in California can take care of him. I hope he learns a lot and enjoys living in the dorms. I know I had a great time during my university years! They grow up so fast, don’t they?

I hope you had a great day!

またね～

End of Middle School

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"End is Near" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/210 sec, ISO200
 “End is Near” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today’s photo is of Koa leaving the band hall. It’s the last time I will be picking him up from middle school so it was a little sad. He’ll be moving on to high school next year which means both our sons will be in high school, although they are going to different schools. (Bay’s IB Program is only offered at a different campus in our school district)

Koa’s middle school band career has been a huge part of his life, and one that we think made an incredibly positive impact. We’re so fortunate that the middle school has one of the best band programs (if not the best) in the state. They put in a ton of work and the fruits of their efforts are realized in amazing performances, recognition, and awards. It’s really kind of odd to think that a teacher and school program could change someone’s life, but I think it really has for Koa. I’m so happy and proud.

Enjoy one of the tunes from last night’s final performance (Koa is banging away on the djembe):

Tomorrow is the last day of school, but he’ll be going directly to an after-school party so today was the last time I will pick him up from middle school. Sad…

I hope you had a good day!

またね～