"What the hell are you talking about," you might wonder. I am reporting about the new beginning in my competitive drive. I am getting back into windsurfing racing!
My dear friend, Masako Imai, went to the 1992 Barcelona, the 1996 Atlanta, and 2000 Sydney, and the 2004 Athen Olympic Games. Her good friend, Barbara Kendall of New Zealand, went to her fifth Olympic in Beijing. She has won a gold, a silver, and a bronze medal. Both woman sailors are about the same age as me.
I was one of the top ten finishers (#7) in the National Olympic Training Team qualifier race in Japan in 1985. I did not pursue Olympic training back then, and instead concentrated my efforts on competing in the inter-collegiate racing, winning titles including the best freshman, all-Japan team racing, and a supreme slalomer (twice). My last race was in 1992, Mistral Class U.S. Southeastern Championship in Charleston, South Carolina. I surprised the crowds by finishing first in the first race and fifth in the second, leading the pack on the first day. But, my body could not take any more on the second day as I was hardly sailing at all for four years since I left Japan. (My arms and legs were having clamps all night long.) My much poorer racing performance on the second day of the Championship, including an upsetting disqualification in one race, knocked me off the winning contention.
After many years of studying hard and pursuing academic competitions, I have realized that my true competitive drives (not competitiveness per se) are found on the water, in speed, in strong wind, and between roaring waves.
Out of my three best talents (windsurfing, fishing, and political analysis), windsurfing got the least amount of time left. Instead of continuing to have bad dreams about the races I lost by making mistakes, I have decided to launch an uphill battle to reclaim my place in the windsurfing competitions. Unlike last time, when I was racing for the college team and other responsibilities, my racing this time will be only for myself. Win or lose, I can totally be cool about it. The only important thing is that I will be enjoying the competitions. I am sure I will enjoy as long as my body can keep up. (I need to regain some lost muscles, but I am already in a pretty good shape, having lost all fat by mere elementary yoga.) Will report on the progress of my training.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Roomies
Some of my fun can be attributed to my roomies. Yes, Roomies--roommates!
I was not writing about them on my blog for respect to their privacy. Instead, I was criticized for not mentioning them on the blog. (Be careful what you wish for...)
Scott
Scott is a military man, who is also a great cook. He listens to every type of music, except disco. He also reads broadly. His love of weight training is quite something, but he is very stiff. (Stiffer than me.) He can also fix things. He used to give bath to and exercise his pet toad, Freddie. A few weeks ago, however, Freddie decided to run for unlimited freedom at the cost of losing free live cricket meals.
Miriama
Miriama is studying at the University. Quite a serious student, having studied through the New Zealand system. She can almost keep up with me when drinking. (Scott falls asleep.) A series of her family members have visited us here over the past summer. Very interesting people, all in different ways. ;) This winter, her daughter is going to visit for the first time, along with other family members who have been here before.
Play Time
We are not playing together all the time. Just sometimes, as we all have many different things to do. Sometimes, however, we (either planned or unplanned) get together at a local bar after work/school. Other times, we are drinking at home, and/or watching movies, or just chatting. Scott's routine of making a big "Farmers' Breakfast" on weekends is always a treat for the later-risers (me, Miriama, and sometimes my kids). It is fun to have some grown-ups around, with whom I can also talk about parenting.
I was not writing about them on my blog for respect to their privacy. Instead, I was criticized for not mentioning them on the blog. (Be careful what you wish for...)
Scott
Scott is a military man, who is also a great cook. He listens to every type of music, except disco. He also reads broadly. His love of weight training is quite something, but he is very stiff. (Stiffer than me.) He can also fix things. He used to give bath to and exercise his pet toad, Freddie. A few weeks ago, however, Freddie decided to run for unlimited freedom at the cost of losing free live cricket meals.
Miriama
Miriama is studying at the University. Quite a serious student, having studied through the New Zealand system. She can almost keep up with me when drinking. (Scott falls asleep.) A series of her family members have visited us here over the past summer. Very interesting people, all in different ways. ;) This winter, her daughter is going to visit for the first time, along with other family members who have been here before.
Play Time
We are not playing together all the time. Just sometimes, as we all have many different things to do. Sometimes, however, we (either planned or unplanned) get together at a local bar after work/school. Other times, we are drinking at home, and/or watching movies, or just chatting. Scott's routine of making a big "Farmers' Breakfast" on weekends is always a treat for the later-risers (me, Miriama, and sometimes my kids). It is fun to have some grown-ups around, with whom I can also talk about parenting.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Time Flies...
Whew! It is already November. I am still running deficit against my promise of posting monthly. Two books I co-edited came out last month, and I am very relieved. Thank you again to all contributors.
This time of the year in the United States is full of events, and time passes quickly toward the December 31st. The Halloween night brought so many unknown children (not all of them were even neighbors) to my house. Luckily my dinner time was not disturbed, as I covered my door chime with a note: "Give us some quiet time as we enjoy blood-dripping steak of childrens' legs." When I could not find one of sandals the following morning, I suspected a "trick" by some pissed-off children, but it was simply blown into the bush by wind and I found it. My kids enjoyed collecting candies from the neighbors. Soon, it will be Thanks Giving, and then Christmas. I still have too many "use-or-lose" leave days... I have to use them, preferrably on windy days, so that I can go windsurfing.
Fitness
I started a light exercise program to regain some muscle strength. I run around my APCSS office building and do several fitness routines en route. I was stunned a few weeks ago, when I could not do a single pull-up. Luckily, in just three weeks, I now can do four or five each for two sets at least. (I used to be able to do twenty in straight.) A long way to go, but a steady progress makes me feel good.
Hawaii
The tourist number for October, compared to last year, was down by 25%, according to the local news. It is a shocker for the local economy, indeed, as recessions normally hit the islands with some delay. The early arrival of recession will likely mean a longer and deeper recession, than its early departure. Just a casual observation on the street shows me an increased number of homeless people since about a year ago. Nonehteless, it is still Hawaii--the home of aloha spirit. Despair and meanness cannot dominate this place.
Good Night!
This time of the year in the United States is full of events, and time passes quickly toward the December 31st. The Halloween night brought so many unknown children (not all of them were even neighbors) to my house. Luckily my dinner time was not disturbed, as I covered my door chime with a note: "Give us some quiet time as we enjoy blood-dripping steak of childrens' legs." When I could not find one of sandals the following morning, I suspected a "trick" by some pissed-off children, but it was simply blown into the bush by wind and I found it. My kids enjoyed collecting candies from the neighbors. Soon, it will be Thanks Giving, and then Christmas. I still have too many "use-or-lose" leave days... I have to use them, preferrably on windy days, so that I can go windsurfing.
Fitness
I started a light exercise program to regain some muscle strength. I run around my APCSS office building and do several fitness routines en route. I was stunned a few weeks ago, when I could not do a single pull-up. Luckily, in just three weeks, I now can do four or five each for two sets at least. (I used to be able to do twenty in straight.) A long way to go, but a steady progress makes me feel good.
Hawaii
The tourist number for October, compared to last year, was down by 25%, according to the local news. It is a shocker for the local economy, indeed, as recessions normally hit the islands with some delay. The early arrival of recession will likely mean a longer and deeper recession, than its early departure. Just a casual observation on the street shows me an increased number of homeless people since about a year ago. Nonehteless, it is still Hawaii--the home of aloha spirit. Despair and meanness cannot dominate this place.
Good Night!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Tonga and New Zealand
September was the month of travel. An APCSS outreach event took me to Tonga.
Although Tonga lies right below the Honolulu-Auckland flight's path, to go directly to Tonga, someone has to be badly ill (or fake one) on board, or one must bring a parachute.
Transit stops in Auckland were no problem for me, for I have several friends in Auckland. It was nice that I had time to see them on both legs of the trip.
The workshop in Tonga went relatively smoothly, except that the night before the opening day was very busy with preparation of the binders. The copymachine was so slow that it became a bottleneck of the work flow, and so many (wo)man-hours had to be utilized rather inefficiently during the day. Once all copying was done, then it was time for the Chinese-like "Sea of (wo)men" tactic to punch holes on and bind the printed material.
There was a nice jetti in front of the hotel I was staying, and there were some big fish in early mornings. Some chases and strikes on my lure, but hooking did not last long. Unfortunately, pre-dawn windows of opportunity were so rare, and there was no notable catch in Tonga. Tuna sashimi in Tonga was much cheaper than in Honolulu, and I enjoyed it very nuch with the local beer, Ikale.
Tonga's main island (where its capital city, Tongatapu, is located) is flat. Unlike Oahu or most of the Hawaiian islands, there is no significant mountain. On the other hand, lagoons inside the reef and some magrove coverage of the coastline provide a different set of sceneries. The place was much more laid back than Honolulu, and for those who want a complete asylum, there are a few small islands that are only reachable by a small boat. Nothing really to do except playing in the sea--no problem for me. I took a mental note of Tonga as a possible place to spend winter months of my retirement.
Time to catch up with kids and enjoy tradewinds and cooling weather in Honolulu.
Although Tonga lies right below the Honolulu-Auckland flight's path, to go directly to Tonga, someone has to be badly ill (or fake one) on board, or one must bring a parachute.
Transit stops in Auckland were no problem for me, for I have several friends in Auckland. It was nice that I had time to see them on both legs of the trip.
The workshop in Tonga went relatively smoothly, except that the night before the opening day was very busy with preparation of the binders. The copymachine was so slow that it became a bottleneck of the work flow, and so many (wo)man-hours had to be utilized rather inefficiently during the day. Once all copying was done, then it was time for the Chinese-like "Sea of (wo)men" tactic to punch holes on and bind the printed material.
There was a nice jetti in front of the hotel I was staying, and there were some big fish in early mornings. Some chases and strikes on my lure, but hooking did not last long. Unfortunately, pre-dawn windows of opportunity were so rare, and there was no notable catch in Tonga. Tuna sashimi in Tonga was much cheaper than in Honolulu, and I enjoyed it very nuch with the local beer, Ikale.
Tonga's main island (where its capital city, Tongatapu, is located) is flat. Unlike Oahu or most of the Hawaiian islands, there is no significant mountain. On the other hand, lagoons inside the reef and some magrove coverage of the coastline provide a different set of sceneries. The place was much more laid back than Honolulu, and for those who want a complete asylum, there are a few small islands that are only reachable by a small boat. Nothing really to do except playing in the sea--no problem for me. I took a mental note of Tonga as a possible place to spend winter months of my retirement.
Time to catch up with kids and enjoy tradewinds and cooling weather in Honolulu.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Promotion
Summer 2008 has been full of news.
I have been promoted to a Full Professor.
As many of my colleagues have left APCSS, indeed I am one of the longest serving members of the faculty. Of course, seniority alone does not warrant a full professorship, especially under Professor Robert Wirsing's chairmanship of the Promotion Committee. I am deeply satisfied that my promotion was handled in the most professional manner under his chairmanship. I am also extremely thankful that Robert took it one of his last tasks at APCSS to see through the committee evaluation of my promotion application before he left APCSS.
With the promotion, I have moved into a bigger office. Indeed, it is the office Robert used when he was at APCSS. It was nice that I could lift the self-imposed ban on book buying that was in effect for the last few years due to the limited shelving space in my office.
Indeed, in the most recent trip to Tokyo, I had a chance to spend several hours at Kanda-Jinbocho--the prime book shop district. In Tokyo, I was conducting interviews for my new research. I also had a chance to get together with Japanese alumni of APCSS.
A new group of fellows has arrived, and I am paired with a newly recruited faculty member as a co-seminar leader. As usual, fellows come with diverse backgrounds, and some of them have already proved themselves to be very rich sources of learning for me.
One sad news I learned of recently is that Trans-Pacific Hawaii College (formerly Kansai Gaidai Hawaii College) is closing its door. I taught there from 1995 to 1998, at its petite but functional and scenic ocean-front campus in Aina Haina. Some of my former students have kept in touch, and I just learned of one coming to Hawaii for her wedding.
Back home (at my parents' house), my father brought tons of fresh sea food to celebrate my promotion and family reunion. It was a nice and tasty bonus.
Trade wind has returned to Honolulu with a little more regularity. Time for windsurfing shopping in Maui??? Quite tempting...
I have been promoted to a Full Professor.
As many of my colleagues have left APCSS, indeed I am one of the longest serving members of the faculty. Of course, seniority alone does not warrant a full professorship, especially under Professor Robert Wirsing's chairmanship of the Promotion Committee. I am deeply satisfied that my promotion was handled in the most professional manner under his chairmanship. I am also extremely thankful that Robert took it one of his last tasks at APCSS to see through the committee evaluation of my promotion application before he left APCSS.
With the promotion, I have moved into a bigger office. Indeed, it is the office Robert used when he was at APCSS. It was nice that I could lift the self-imposed ban on book buying that was in effect for the last few years due to the limited shelving space in my office.
Indeed, in the most recent trip to Tokyo, I had a chance to spend several hours at Kanda-Jinbocho--the prime book shop district. In Tokyo, I was conducting interviews for my new research. I also had a chance to get together with Japanese alumni of APCSS.
A new group of fellows has arrived, and I am paired with a newly recruited faculty member as a co-seminar leader. As usual, fellows come with diverse backgrounds, and some of them have already proved themselves to be very rich sources of learning for me.
One sad news I learned of recently is that Trans-Pacific Hawaii College (formerly Kansai Gaidai Hawaii College) is closing its door. I taught there from 1995 to 1998, at its petite but functional and scenic ocean-front campus in Aina Haina. Some of my former students have kept in touch, and I just learned of one coming to Hawaii for her wedding.
Back home (at my parents' house), my father brought tons of fresh sea food to celebrate my promotion and family reunion. It was a nice and tasty bonus.
Trade wind has returned to Honolulu with a little more regularity. Time for windsurfing shopping in Maui??? Quite tempting...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Hot Summer in Honolulu
Summer has arrived, and it is HOT in Honolulu.
Following a brief touch down here after the Australia trip, I had to fly out to Kuala Lumpur for another APCSS task during the first half of the month. It was nice to see some alumni there, and the project proceeded nicely. Back in Honolulu, a couple of things need to be attended. Most importantly, I am a single man again. Yes, my divorce has finally been approved by the court, and I have to start implementing the agreed terms, mostly about financial matters.
The manuscripts for the two upcoming books (found in the link under "My Books") are in the proofing stage, nicely proceeding toward publications in fall. This summer will be a good time to start planning some new research projects, although I have told myself many times not to take up too much. My two children need some (a lot) of my time.
I have been fortunate to have nice roommates. Scott (whose comment can be found on this blog) is back on the mainland for a while, but he and I exchange our fatherhood experiences over beer. Miriama from New Zealand is an experienced mother of her own kids. She has saved me from some near-panic parenting situations. The house I fought to keep is growing into a nice new ohana.
This morning, I talked to my good old friend Tomoko Okazaki, a professional windsurfer and kiteboader. She is someone whose simple life style and pursuit of fun have been the subject of my admiration. I had many chances to peek into her world, but had no courage (or encouragement by others) to jump into that world. But, having a role model like her kept me from turning into a boring workaholic (or worse those who only pretend to be one). Focus and pursuit of finesse have been spiritually rewarding. My church of wind and waves, also known as "Kailua Beach," has been good to me.
This summer will be a good opportunity to sit back and enjoy the summer breeze of Oahu with a nice chilled glass of chardonay. Let me know if you are heading this way, my friends.
Yoichiro
Following a brief touch down here after the Australia trip, I had to fly out to Kuala Lumpur for another APCSS task during the first half of the month. It was nice to see some alumni there, and the project proceeded nicely. Back in Honolulu, a couple of things need to be attended. Most importantly, I am a single man again. Yes, my divorce has finally been approved by the court, and I have to start implementing the agreed terms, mostly about financial matters.
The manuscripts for the two upcoming books (found in the link under "My Books") are in the proofing stage, nicely proceeding toward publications in fall. This summer will be a good time to start planning some new research projects, although I have told myself many times not to take up too much. My two children need some (a lot) of my time.
I have been fortunate to have nice roommates. Scott (whose comment can be found on this blog) is back on the mainland for a while, but he and I exchange our fatherhood experiences over beer. Miriama from New Zealand is an experienced mother of her own kids. She has saved me from some near-panic parenting situations. The house I fought to keep is growing into a nice new ohana.
This morning, I talked to my good old friend Tomoko Okazaki, a professional windsurfer and kiteboader. She is someone whose simple life style and pursuit of fun have been the subject of my admiration. I had many chances to peek into her world, but had no courage (or encouragement by others) to jump into that world. But, having a role model like her kept me from turning into a boring workaholic (or worse those who only pretend to be one). Focus and pursuit of finesse have been spiritually rewarding. My church of wind and waves, also known as "Kailua Beach," has been good to me.
This summer will be a good opportunity to sit back and enjoy the summer breeze of Oahu with a nice chilled glass of chardonay. Let me know if you are heading this way, my friends.
Yoichiro
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Doing Well Down Under...Not That!
Howdi?
I am writing from Canberra, Australia. I was a part of the APCSS delegation to the Australian College of Defense and Security Studies (CDSS). We were running an elective module on energy security. The course went well. I have also managed to find a little time to visit the War Memorial and Australian Mint. Historical museum at the Memorial was quite interesting.
First of all, I never thought Australia would be an expensive place, but it is true at least in Canberra. I exchanged U.S. dollars into Australian dollars, and got less! The rate is almost parity, and the bank commission tilted the balance. Plus, grocery and meal costs are higher here than in Honolulu. Shrimp fried rice should not cost $12.80!!! (OMG!!!)
I have been amazed by numerous large avian specie here. Flock of cockatoos and playful "mudpies" (black-and-white craws) can be seen in the middle of the city as well as in suburbs. In fact, nature is right there. I saw a dead kangaroo by the highway. (On the U.S. mainland, dear is a usual roadkill.) Live ones also came out by the CDSS campus. There were signs around CDSS about "snake sighting." It is venomous brown snake that is somestimes seen around the campus. I tried hard to take a picture of the sign with my colleagues in it, but missed a few opportunities.
Cool weather is nice sometimes, but I am ready to return to Hawaii. It is such a luxury to be able to jump into the ocean throughout the year. Fine "wine-and-dine" in Canberra is great for a few days, but I can equally be satisfied with kalbi, lau lau, kalua pork, and poke. But, most of all, I miss my two children. I got them games for souvenir. It was nice I could talk to them on Skype a few times during the trip. They had fun looking at the pictures I sent them while we chatted.
I fly out of Canberra this afternoon. After a brief touch-and-go in Honolulu, I will have to join another APCSS outreach event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I hope to find something new there. (Last time I was there was in 2004. The city was going through major development then.)
See you later, friends.
Yoichiro
I am writing from Canberra, Australia. I was a part of the APCSS delegation to the Australian College of Defense and Security Studies (CDSS). We were running an elective module on energy security. The course went well. I have also managed to find a little time to visit the War Memorial and Australian Mint. Historical museum at the Memorial was quite interesting.
First of all, I never thought Australia would be an expensive place, but it is true at least in Canberra. I exchanged U.S. dollars into Australian dollars, and got less! The rate is almost parity, and the bank commission tilted the balance. Plus, grocery and meal costs are higher here than in Honolulu. Shrimp fried rice should not cost $12.80!!! (OMG!!!)
I have been amazed by numerous large avian specie here. Flock of cockatoos and playful "mudpies" (black-and-white craws) can be seen in the middle of the city as well as in suburbs. In fact, nature is right there. I saw a dead kangaroo by the highway. (On the U.S. mainland, dear is a usual roadkill.) Live ones also came out by the CDSS campus. There were signs around CDSS about "snake sighting." It is venomous brown snake that is somestimes seen around the campus. I tried hard to take a picture of the sign with my colleagues in it, but missed a few opportunities.
Cool weather is nice sometimes, but I am ready to return to Hawaii. It is such a luxury to be able to jump into the ocean throughout the year. Fine "wine-and-dine" in Canberra is great for a few days, but I can equally be satisfied with kalbi, lau lau, kalua pork, and poke. But, most of all, I miss my two children. I got them games for souvenir. It was nice I could talk to them on Skype a few times during the trip. They had fun looking at the pictures I sent them while we chatted.
I fly out of Canberra this afternoon. After a brief touch-and-go in Honolulu, I will have to join another APCSS outreach event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I hope to find something new there. (Last time I was there was in 2004. The city was going through major development then.)
See you later, friends.
Yoichiro
Thursday, April 3, 2008
April 2008--Reactions and More Updates
Amazing!
So many people have responded to my first blog posting--some right here on this site, and others via e-mails. It is encouraging.
As expected, my photos received some evaluative comments--mostly positive, but Elizabeth has undiplomatically explicitly mentioned my receding hairline. Still, her overall positive comment about my appearance was much appreciated. (Laughter!) Maybe she even has acquired a taste for bald men after many years of living in a Buddhist country. (More laughter!)
Work
A new class of fellows has started their study at APCSS in April. I am leading a seminar for the six week duration of the course. I am so busy that I often have no time to read newspapers till evening. At the same time, it is nice to meet new people from the regional pool of promising policy practitioners. I will also offer a new elective on regional security cooperation. Many recent departures of faculty members have left holes in the program, and a few broadly-trained members of the faculty (including myself) have been occupying those new territories.
Scholarly Life/Travel
The feature of March was a trip to San Francisco to attend an annual convention of the International Studies Association. A mega conference like this is a great opportunity to see many scholar friends in one trip. Networking by my friends also indirectly expands my network, hopefully leading to intellectually or otherwise profitable collaborative opportunities. If nothing else, we still had great meals in San Francisco. Rudi requested a photo from the Goldengate Bridge, but unfortunately I did not have enouth time to go there.
Health
My back pain went away before the San Francisco trip, and the 5-hour flight was pretty painless as far as my back was concerned. (Thanks to all helpers.) The only pain I had was a really, really fat guy who sat next to me. His elbow was rubbing against me over the arm rest, and his butt was spilling into my seat under the arm rest. (The arm rest was actually slightly lifted by his butt meat.) He kept dozing off, letting his body parts freely invade my space, and I was busy keeping him awake with subtle downward pressure onto the arm rest. For a relief, I did not detect any strong body odor from this man. I felt like United Airline downgraded me to an "Economy Minus". I miss flying with someone I actually like...
The famous "Bellows Beach" picnic with the fellows was fun, but for the first time I joined the rank of the "injured." (Note to non-APCSS friends: Our bonding events on the beach include many sports activities, some of which are unsuitable for the not-very-young fellows.) Beach volley ball caused me a sprained ankle, and boogie boarding brought back my back pain. The best part, however, is that I did not get these pains in my office. Much nicer to be injured on the beach. The pain also resulted in a nice photo of me with a backgropund of a breaking ocean swell, proudly displayed on the AV booth by the entrance of APCSS. This time, my back pain was less serious. Having learnt how to fix it last time also helped. I am already recovering in four days.
Busy work brings about more stresses. Speaking of stress, some people are very good at not only generating and accumulating stresses, but also passing them onto other people. (To some, I might have looked like one of those "negative" people in the past.) Recently, I had a little trouble in a car park. A very angry woman complained that my car was blocking hers, where in fact I left just enough space. Her negative energy was about to penetrate my system, but then I spontaneously deflected it with my reply: "I am sorry, I might not have left enough space for unskilled drivers." Another possible answer could have been: "I am sorry. Had you let me know sooner, I would have driven your car through for you." Actually, I should be glad that she did not try to drive through and scratch my car. "Thank you for not trying!" (I still need to develop a more positive personality.)
Well, that is it for this month--April is almost over. See you next month.
So many people have responded to my first blog posting--some right here on this site, and others via e-mails. It is encouraging.
As expected, my photos received some evaluative comments--mostly positive, but Elizabeth has undiplomatically explicitly mentioned my receding hairline. Still, her overall positive comment about my appearance was much appreciated. (Laughter!) Maybe she even has acquired a taste for bald men after many years of living in a Buddhist country. (More laughter!)
Work
A new class of fellows has started their study at APCSS in April. I am leading a seminar for the six week duration of the course. I am so busy that I often have no time to read newspapers till evening. At the same time, it is nice to meet new people from the regional pool of promising policy practitioners. I will also offer a new elective on regional security cooperation. Many recent departures of faculty members have left holes in the program, and a few broadly-trained members of the faculty (including myself) have been occupying those new territories.
Scholarly Life/Travel
The feature of March was a trip to San Francisco to attend an annual convention of the International Studies Association. A mega conference like this is a great opportunity to see many scholar friends in one trip. Networking by my friends also indirectly expands my network, hopefully leading to intellectually or otherwise profitable collaborative opportunities. If nothing else, we still had great meals in San Francisco. Rudi requested a photo from the Goldengate Bridge, but unfortunately I did not have enouth time to go there.
My next assignment will take me to Canberra in May. I have not had any Australian fellow at APCSS in my class. I just did a VTC lecture at the Australian College of Defense and Security Studies (CDSS) on Japan's security policy. There are very well educated fellows there! Watch out APCSS fellows and alumni! A team of APCSS professors (led by Mohan Malik) will be giving a module in the CDSS course, and I will take part. Then another trip to Kuala Lumpur in June to take part in a maritime security workshop. (Already thinking about Indian seafood restaurants in KL...maritime food security indeed!) I should be able to tell you more about these trips later.
Health
My back pain went away before the San Francisco trip, and the 5-hour flight was pretty painless as far as my back was concerned. (Thanks to all helpers.) The only pain I had was a really, really fat guy who sat next to me. His elbow was rubbing against me over the arm rest, and his butt was spilling into my seat under the arm rest. (The arm rest was actually slightly lifted by his butt meat.) He kept dozing off, letting his body parts freely invade my space, and I was busy keeping him awake with subtle downward pressure onto the arm rest. For a relief, I did not detect any strong body odor from this man. I felt like United Airline downgraded me to an "Economy Minus". I miss flying with someone I actually like...
The famous "Bellows Beach" picnic with the fellows was fun, but for the first time I joined the rank of the "injured." (Note to non-APCSS friends: Our bonding events on the beach include many sports activities, some of which are unsuitable for the not-very-young fellows.) Beach volley ball caused me a sprained ankle, and boogie boarding brought back my back pain. The best part, however, is that I did not get these pains in my office. Much nicer to be injured on the beach. The pain also resulted in a nice photo of me with a backgropund of a breaking ocean swell, proudly displayed on the AV booth by the entrance of APCSS. This time, my back pain was less serious. Having learnt how to fix it last time also helped. I am already recovering in four days.
Busy work brings about more stresses. Speaking of stress, some people are very good at not only generating and accumulating stresses, but also passing them onto other people. (To some, I might have looked like one of those "negative" people in the past.) Recently, I had a little trouble in a car park. A very angry woman complained that my car was blocking hers, where in fact I left just enough space. Her negative energy was about to penetrate my system, but then I spontaneously deflected it with my reply: "I am sorry, I might not have left enough space for unskilled drivers." Another possible answer could have been: "I am sorry. Had you let me know sooner, I would have driven your car through for you." Actually, I should be glad that she did not try to drive through and scratch my car. "Thank you for not trying!" (I still need to develop a more positive personality.)
Well, that is it for this month--April is almost over. See you next month.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Opening
OK. My public life is just becoming more public. Perhaps for better.
Bios on the employer's site are generic, outdated, and uncreative anyway. This might be a better place to share more with my friends.
Perhaps, I should be first updating about myself.
Employment
Yes, I am still at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). It has been seven years since I joined APCSS. Lots of changes at the center. For one, it is a lot busier.
Travel
Part of the reason for our busy schedule is travel. Instead of (or in addition to in some cases)individual research and conference trips, we now frequently travel on center-assigned missions. I have done it only twice to Tokyo, but some of my colleagues have done more. I like the flexibility of travelling solo. Rudi and her colleagues know this already. (Laughter!) Last year, I missed Iskandar in Jakarta, as his arrival plane was delayed the night before my departure. (No famous Indonesian karaoake!) I could not catch Susan there either. (US Embassy was simply inpenetrable. (Laughter!)
Most recently, I went to Kuching (Sarawak/Malaysia) for the first time for a conference on maritime security. A really pretty town with amazing ethnic diversity--so different from peninsular Malaysia. This month, I will be flying to San Francisco for another conference. Center missions will likely take me to Canberra, Kuala Lumpur, and Tonga this year, and possibly more.
Scholarly Life
Despite the busy schedule, I still enjoy being a scholar. I just finished two book manuscripts recently. Though I am used to working late evening hours on my books, it was the hardest this time as my two children grow up and their bed time tends to get later. In February, I taught an intensive one-week course on globalization and regionalism at Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University in Oita, Japan, near the famous hot spring town of Beppu. Yes, I did manage to soak in the hot spring and enjoy good sake and fish for dinner.
Health
Working hard sometimes takes its toll. I am recovering from a serious backache I had some ten days ago. Cumulative tensions on the spine from long hours of working in a chair reached a limit. There are some healers among the APCSS colleagues, and their help was much appreciated. I tried Chinese acupuncture for the first time. It was pretty good until the doctor started pulling my legs out and rolling them back into my hip bone. My butt got even stiffer as a result. I also do yoga to be more flexible. I am as slim as ever.
Windsurfing
Obviously, I now have to take a break from windsurfing because of the back pain, but I do not intend to stay away for too long. I am teaching some colleagues how to windsurf. I had to teach him the very first beach lesson--to look like a cool sport, not an aggressive single guy.
OK, that is all for tonight. Not sure how soon I will have enough interesting new stories and time to share them with you. But, stay tuned.
Mahalo for reading, and Aloha.
Yoichiro
Bios on the employer's site are generic, outdated, and uncreative anyway. This might be a better place to share more with my friends.
Perhaps, I should be first updating about myself.
Employment
Yes, I am still at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). It has been seven years since I joined APCSS. Lots of changes at the center. For one, it is a lot busier.
Travel
Part of the reason for our busy schedule is travel. Instead of (or in addition to in some cases)individual research and conference trips, we now frequently travel on center-assigned missions. I have done it only twice to Tokyo, but some of my colleagues have done more. I like the flexibility of travelling solo. Rudi and her colleagues know this already. (Laughter!) Last year, I missed Iskandar in Jakarta, as his arrival plane was delayed the night before my departure. (No famous Indonesian karaoake!) I could not catch Susan there either. (US Embassy was simply inpenetrable. (Laughter!)
Most recently, I went to Kuching (Sarawak/Malaysia) for the first time for a conference on maritime security. A really pretty town with amazing ethnic diversity--so different from peninsular Malaysia. This month, I will be flying to San Francisco for another conference. Center missions will likely take me to Canberra, Kuala Lumpur, and Tonga this year, and possibly more.
Scholarly Life
Despite the busy schedule, I still enjoy being a scholar. I just finished two book manuscripts recently. Though I am used to working late evening hours on my books, it was the hardest this time as my two children grow up and their bed time tends to get later. In February, I taught an intensive one-week course on globalization and regionalism at Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University in Oita, Japan, near the famous hot spring town of Beppu. Yes, I did manage to soak in the hot spring and enjoy good sake and fish for dinner.
Health
Working hard sometimes takes its toll. I am recovering from a serious backache I had some ten days ago. Cumulative tensions on the spine from long hours of working in a chair reached a limit. There are some healers among the APCSS colleagues, and their help was much appreciated. I tried Chinese acupuncture for the first time. It was pretty good until the doctor started pulling my legs out and rolling them back into my hip bone. My butt got even stiffer as a result. I also do yoga to be more flexible. I am as slim as ever.
Windsurfing
Obviously, I now have to take a break from windsurfing because of the back pain, but I do not intend to stay away for too long. I am teaching some colleagues how to windsurf. I had to teach him the very first beach lesson--to look like a cool sport, not an aggressive single guy.
OK, that is all for tonight. Not sure how soon I will have enough interesting new stories and time to share them with you. But, stay tuned.
Mahalo for reading, and Aloha.
Yoichiro
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