Archery Rocks

So this regular updating isn't going to well, is it. I am going to keep trying though! がんばります！


This time I'm going to talk about kyudo, Japanese archery.

An archer in full uniform

I began asking about Kyudo in late summer last year and with the help of my coordinator and the board of education began attending Kyudo once a week starting the last week of November or so. It's difficult but i really love it.

Kyudo is a very traditional Japanese sport so you have to follow a long process before even touching a bow but I got to speed it up a little bit. Most of this is for the build up of unused muscles and the practice of muscle memory. There is a specific line of motions you must follow when shooting.

The general positions of kyudo

First you begin with a rope the has knots for your hands to slide into position. Next you move to "gomu" or rubber practice to build your muscles, at my kyudo club I first used a regular "gomu" and then a thicker, stronger one. After that, I began practice with the bow and know arrows. I then used and arrow but without releasing before practicing close range with a hay target. During this time I was allowed to release at the target a few times but was given the okay for regular release two weeks ago.

The reason it takes so long is that there are a lot of little things to get right but the process is incredibly enjoyable. Because you must focus so much on your movements and the target the time spent at practice really clears your head. 

Every time I leave kyudo I feel refreshed and relaxed. It's amazing. 

I also really love my club. They take time out of their own practice to help me out, check my stance, give advice and one of the women even bought me an adorable cloth cloth for under my leather one (it's got bunnies on it!). 

I don't have any pictures because ... well, I practice at practice. I really like it and hope that when I leave Japan I'll be able to continue. It's one of the absolute best things I've gotten involved with since coming here.

'Nuff Said,

Crysania

Scatter-brained Bunny

I haven't been sure about what to blog about lately ... there seems to be a lot yet not much. So this may be a bit of a scatter-brain blog. Writing down a few random things usually helps me cut through writer's block.

1. First off, the Daily Titan 50th Anniversary Banquet was okay. Not many people I knew showed up but I had a good time with Jess, Amy and Christee. We even got a little drama as they didn't ask any of the staffers (myself, Jess and Amy included) who worked on the Nick Adenhart extra to speak. Jess was an awesome Exec Editor. We're not even her staff anymore and she fought to get us recognition. The whole things made me miss writing and editing again. I loved my time at the DT and the Sports section was just a lot of fun. Michal join Amy, Christee and I afterwards in Downtown Fullerton. That was cool too. It was good to see Michal. He helped me and taught me a lot so I've always thought of him as ... hmm ... like a mentor or something.

2. Christee and I got to talking at Heroes and I think I might want to teach English. I've never minded kids and teaching has been in the back of my mind before but I always pushed to be a writer. Truth is, I enjoyed being a tutor and I really am a grammar nerd. I like school and I like learning too. So I'm really considering going back to school to get my masters and credential. I can always freelance write too so I don't really have to give anything up. I've learned I'm not big on office jobs, I need more variety to stay happy. That's one thing the newspaper offered. It was routine in that we had to go in every day and do work, but something new and different happened every day. Teaching offers that variety too, I think. I still need to think this through though.

3. I went to my first Dodger game of the season last Thursday! They lost but I liked our seats and the game was fun. Plus, they won three straight right after so I can't be upset. Actually, in May I'll be going to three Dodger games! Holy crap! The college group at my church is going this Friday, I'm going on the 18th for Andre Ethier Bobblehead night and I'm going to see them on the 28th in Denver. I'm flying out there and taking my niece for her graduation present. It's a Go Blue kind of month I guess.

4. I've been really up and down spiritually lately. Just can't seem to feel settled or relaxed ... or calm. I put too much pressure on myself sometimes and it affects my relationship with God. I'd like to find a way to fix that. It doesn't help that I don't like to talk to people about it though. Sunday, we talked about accepting our weaknesses and realizing everyone is broken, but I struggle with that. I'm the type to hide my weaknesses and keep everything inside. For a while, I was using my journal to talk to God but I've gotten away from that recently. I should find it and try that again.

5. I hate American Idol ... but I might love Lee DeWyze. I think I'll talk more about that tomorrow.

6. I'm going to visit my big brother tomorrow I think. If not I'll do it Thursday. Part of my turmoil has been missing him more lately. My brother was so strong and easy to rely on and I really miss that about him. Memorial Day is coming up soon too so it makes me think of him.

7. That felt refreshing!

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

Living on the Moon

So as you can see I changed my Blog Title from 'Nuff Said to Bunny on the Moon ... I'm not sure whether or not this will stick, but I'm hoping it is more original, at least. I can explain it.

When I was in high school I had lots of nicknames - lots. I have a long name so it makes sense, but I had a friend decide I was a lot like Sailor Moon my freshman year because I can be a really big airhead. I hate to admit it but it's true, although, most likely, very few people I know now realize this about me. I like to think I hide it pretty well, but the people who really know me know the truth. I went to a small high school and the name caught on.

I know many out there probably know this, but in the manga and in the original Japanese anime Sailor Moon's nickname is Bunny. I had a friend who knew this and started calling me Bunny, particularly online, so even though I had new nicknames by sophomore year that one still hung around.

Besides, I really do think sometimes I must be living on the moon. I definitely am inside my head enough to be somewhere else.

I've been pretty busy lately for a change and it's been nice, but that's all I have time for, for now

'Nuff Said,
Crysania