Blind!

I had a trumpet lesson today.

Not took but gave.

My student Junji who is a composer is my friend 

and he's been practicing the trp lately. 

Before the lesson, he installed a blind which I gave up last week!

Thank you sooooo much!!!!

BAM

I went to BAM(Brooklyn Academy of Music) with my friends yesterday.

We watched dance by the Brazilian dance company "Grupo Corpo".

Their performance was terrific!

How have they trained???

They danced incredible flexibly and dynamically.

I really enjoyed it.

After concert, we had a big meal!

Yes, every dish was big...

We expected that so we ordered not so much, but....

This is America.hahaha...

They are my friends Teddy(left) and Junko(Right)

And then, It took much  time to go home (T_T).

Because many subway lines were under construction, and what was more, they hadn't given us enough information about that so it was really hard to find the way to home and I had to wait trains for a long time.

I was tired....

Let's Conversation!

I've been taking one-to-one conversation lessons once a week in the International Center.

The center has many English classes and we can take every classes whenever we want.

There are a lot of members  who came from all parts of the world.

One-to-one lessons are optional but very reasonable.

I've learned many things in the lessons and spent good time with my teacher.

Today, I talked about my visit to Japan.

It was really fun!

But I forgot to take pictures (>_<)/

Next time I will!!!

 

Spring is around the corner♪♪

I had a tap dance lesson today.

Of course I took an  "absolute beginners" class.

It's great fun tapping a floor! I like the sound very much!!!

After lesson, I saw "TULIP" at the downstairs supermarket♪

These cute spring flowers  made me happy.

a crane

I bought a blind for kitchen window.

Because the fire fighters broke the blind in order to open the window immediately.

(refer to my old blog of March 1st)

On the way home, I saw a crane which is on incredible high place .

There was a terrible accident that a crane fell down recently, so I was a little scared...

It seems dangerous...

After I went back home, I tried to install the new blind.

But I gave up.....

I need help!

The wall is too hard in spite of it's wood!!!

Happy Easter

I played in St Lukes Church this morning.

The music for Easter Sunday Service was played by 

brass quintet , organ, and choir solemnly.

That was my first experience playing for service.

I didn't get  what church people were doing 

while the service, so another trp player explained for me 

what was going on. Thanks!!

I felt so good and comfortable playing in the church.

Jonathan (Trb right) who is a wonderful player asked me to play in the quartet.

I appreciate it! 

Happy Easter!

I'm a big fan of yours!

He is an amazing percussion player MATARO.

I met him and played together in Kurashiki last weekend .

He always surrounds himself with many kind of instruments and plays as if there are many players, but he is the only one.

I'm a his fan for a long time, so I was star struck!

wii

The Empire State is illuminated at night 

and the colors are changed almost every night.  

checking the color is my daily work. 

Tonight's colors are Green/ Pink/ Yellow for Easter.

I and my friend were babysitting  in my another friend's house and played with [Wii] . 

We play shooting, bowling, golf and  baseball game etc...

I already have a little muscular pain.....

Good Night!

Kobe

This is a story of visiting Japan last week 
The top picture  is "Ikuta shrine" in Kobe which is famous for

 [the god of MARRIAGE].

I went to Kobe after the rehearsal and took a walk before dinner.

Of course I went and worship at the shrine, but it already closed.

What does it mean.... (-_-) 

But I ate Kobe Beeeeeef!

Kobe beef is a Japanese exclusive bland of beef. 

That was tender and juicy and melt it away in the mouth! Excellent beef.

Mr. Yoh (left of the bottom picture) is a conductor of "Kanade".

He is a regular customer at this restaurant.

I envy him...

Solo

I came back to NY this morning!

The flight was smooth and I could take a good seat which had enough space around my feet.

I enjoyed my visit to Japan but I felt a little weird.

It seemed a dream that I've been living NY when I did housework or took trains in Tokyo.

Like nothing has happened on me. 

Anyway, I played the trumpet a lot!!!

I was in Kobe on last Thursday and  had a rehearsal with "Wind ensemble Kanade" for  a concert in Kurasiki on Sunday.

I played solo of  Jean Francaix's "Le Gay Paris".

These melodies were light and cute like Paris (Actually I've never been there.haha...)

But he wrote so many staccato that It was hard, so I played it as if I was a Parisian♪

S'est La Vie~~~.

Yakitori

I keep enjoying Japanese food♪

We went to Yakitori (grilled chicken) restaurant near my house last night.

We are all trumpet players!

They live my house while I'm in NY.

I sometimes asked them to send something that I needed and they did it for me.

I really appreciate it. 

Yakitori was soooooooo nice!!

I think that was one of the best I've ever eaten.

They use good chicken which is fresh, tender and we can eat even if it's raw.

So they don't use any sources. Just only salt.

Hmmm.... I think I've been eating a lot recently, fufufu.....

 

Party!

A concert in a long time for me was finished.

That was a fan event, so a lot of members of the fan club participated and we spent a good time. 

I suppose my ensemble sense almost came back. 

I was glad I could feel that.

After finish the concert, I drank with my coworkers in Shinjuku.

Included a new member (right) who is a bass clarinet player, joined while I was in NY.

She is my friend and same age as me♪

Welcome to our orchestra~~~~!!!

We talked a lot and enjoyed Japanese food and shochu(a clear distilled liquor).

I was really happy to drink with my fellows.

I'm home!!

I'm in Tokyo!

I went to SUSHI BAR last night.

My coworker asked me to dinner and I joined.

"Sashimi" was so fresh and tastes very goooood!

Especially the horse mackerel which came from Kyushu area was great...  

I was so happy♪

And today, I had a rehearsal of my orchestra.

I saw my coworker and the staff after a long time.

I was worried that they forgot about me~~~~! hahaha(^^;)

But they welcomed me and I enjoyed ensemble with them.

 

PACKING

Now I've just finished packing.

There are a lot of souvenirs in the suitcase. 

Yes! I'm visiting Japan for 2 weeks!!!!

I'm going to have some concerts in Tokyo and Kurashiki but I'm little worried about whether I can keep up with the pace.

Because I've been practicing in my own good time for 6 months... (^^;)

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends, coworkers, and relatives.

BTW, I've lost my weight recently because I haven't eaten enough.

I used to like eating very much, so I think this situation is very strange....

Maybe I miss "real" Japanese food. hahaha...

So, My friends told me that they would take me to the nice restaurant and had parties.

Yahoo! I can't wait it!!!

CROSS

It's nice day today.

My friends are going back to Japan next early morning....

So today is their last day in NY.

We went to church in Harlem to listen to the Gospel this morning.

I left home and then I looked up casually.... I saw cross in the sky!

That was beautiful.

Amen.

it was a narrow escape (>_<)

Today, the fire fighters came to my apartment because of me.......
I went out this morning with my friend who is staying my apt  and I suddenly remembered that I forgot to turn off the stove when we got to columbus circle!!

I returned to my home immediately but it was late....

When I arrived apt, the fire fighters were going back.

I was a little stunned to see the fire engine but super said "That wasn't serious fire, just smoke. Don't worry."

 And he took me to my room.

When I got in the room , every windows were opened and a fan was being turned on.

Fortunately, nothing burns except Miso-soup in the pan but  terrible burnt smell filled the whole house...

I really thank my next door neighbor, super and roommate. Everyone helped me.  

No-one injured, there was no fire..... I was relieved.....

I'm so sorry  m(_ _)m