Be in South Asian Cultures

ヨガな雰囲気たっぷりのイーストヴィレッチにあるカフェ。（The Bhakti Cafe）

メニューはすべてベジタリアン＆オーガニック。

壁紙は仏教の神様達。

とある日の夜にここでポエムリーディング、いろんな民族楽器の生演奏、ダンスパフォーマンズにライブペイントが行なわれていた。

ヒッピー達に囲まれておだやかな空気。

ヒッピー文化にはそれほど興味はないけど、彼らの生き方はラブアンドピースでいいなって共感する。ポエムとかもゆきは全然理解できないけど、こうゆう空間を共有するのは好き。

マイガールのメグともこうゆう場所にはよく一緒に行った。

こちらはクイーンズにあるネパール料理屋。

ネパール人達に連れられてネパール音楽の生演奏を聞きながら食す。

ネパール料理ももう慣れたけど、料理の名前が全く分からない。分かるのは大好きなモモだけ。笑。いつもとにかく食べてみなと言われて食べるけど、とにかく辛い！

それでもアメリカに来て随分と辛いものに強くなった。

カレーでさえ甘口でわさびは死んでも食べられず、キムチなんて見ただけでダメだったのに、今となってはキムチは好物、コチュジャンはなんでも入れちゃうし、ジャークチキンもモリモリ食べるし、ハラペーニョもかなり食べられるようになった。もうちょっとでわさびも克服できそうだし、なんだか大人になったのかな？密かに嬉しいー。笑。

Friendship

When someone says "miss you", most of people automatically reply "I miss you, too."

Does it really have a meaning? or you are just saying it. I don't know.

But I know for sure whenever this guy says "miss you", he means it.

It has been about 3 years since I met him and he has been my soul mate since.

We still talk about the first night walk we had and say how special it was. Most of the memories I have with him are so ordinary and nothing special, but somehow I miss them all.

So I told him "I don't know why but I think I miss you the most." He said to me

"coz our friendship is genuine."

His word really touched my heart. I truly believe in friendship, so this conversation was so priceless.

INSPIRED BY MOS DEF

I just found this documentary video, and I'm totally inspired by one of the BEST hip hop artists, Mos Def.

Mos Def in Japan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnPWFtxGlnA

He is not only the sickest rapper, but also he is the smartest guy who I can truly respect.

This video is quite long, but it's really worth to watch.

You can see his artistic perspectives of his music as well as many Japanese cultures through his eyes.

In his interview, he is mentioning something like this....

"You can't stop history.

You can't stop the determined soul.

Don't stop, coz you don't wanna be the wrong side of history.

You don't wanna be on side of the history that poses the opposition to those spirits.

You wanna be on the history that cultivate on the spirit."

(Those are not the exact words, but he's saying something like this later in this video....)

I always tell myself.

Always, be inspired.

Don't get used to it.

I'll add his words into my dictionary from now on.

最近の生活

しばらく更新を怠ってた。

毎日がめまぐるしく過ぎていって、気がつけばもう８月。

忘れたくないから書き留めておきたいのに、あまりにもいろいろあるとどこから書けばいいのか分からず書けずにいた。

NYでの生活には半年以上すぎてもやっぱりまだ慣れてないし、まだまだミネソタが恋しくてむこうの友達としょっちゅう連絡を取ってみたり、みんなの生活が変わってきていることに違和感も感じる。自分は変わってないと思うけど、それでも周りから見たらゆきの生活は変わってきてるって思うんだろうな。でもそれでいいんだと思う。変わっていないといけないんだと思う。

ずっと続けていたバイトもきりをつけて、今はまた別の仕事を始めた。

毎日刺激があるし、自分が必要とされているのを感じるからやりがいもあるし、今後これがどう繋がるかはまだ分からないけど確実に得てるものはたくさんある。先日もその仕事関連でボストンに出向き、まさかの世界の松坂選手に会える機会をいただいて、彼と一緒に食事までさせてもらえた。今までもいろんな有名な人にも出会ってはきたけど、彼は本当に器の大きな気さくで素敵な人だった。一流の人はやっぱり違うなあと思ったし、すごくいい刺激にもなりモチベーションもさらにあがった。

大学を卒業して、インターンシップを終えて、学生から社会人へのステップを少しずつ上がっていて、今はとにかく可能性を広げるためにネットワーク作り。今までの経験が確実に役に立っているし、そこらの同世代の人よりはずっといろんな経験を積んできている自信もある。どこに行ってもそれは証明されているし、今までやってきたことが無駄じゃないんだなと日々感じることもできる。目先のお金よりも今はとにかく経験。お金はないけど、とにかく人として社会人としてまだまだ磨かないといけないから、まわりに無駄だと言われようがなんだろうが、今は潜伏期間だと思って頑張るのみ。

就職もまだできていなくて、日本にいる同級生達からは遅れを取ってはいるし自分の生活を誇れるわけでもないけど、それでも自分は着実に前には進んでいるはず。

いつもギリギリまで切羽詰まって、追いつめられてそこから這い上がってきた。

今もかなり追いつめられてはいるけど、ここまできたら自分を信じるしかないし、ここで容易に諦める事もできない。まわりと自分を比べていてもしょうがないから、ゆきはゆきらしく。

NMS: New Music Seminar

I went to help the company where I worked as an intern for the event called New Music Seminar at the Webster Hall yesterday. Even though my official intern period is over, I still help them whenever they need some extra hands. I appreciate the fact that they still like me and call me up like yesterday.

It was a great opportunity for me to know people and companies in the industry. I met some cool people...I even got to see Swizz Beatz! I have never seen him talking....I couldn't really see the talking part since I needed to be at the booth, but still I enjoyed it.

Dave Matthews Band Concert @ Citi Field

Last weekend, I went to the Citi Field (which is also called Mets Stadium!) for the first time.

I was one of the volunteers for the NPO, REVERB. (http://www.reverb.org/index.php)

This organization is deeply rooted within the music and environmental communities, and they educates and engages musicians and their fans to take action toward a more sustainable. (from Reverb website)

I like music and like to be eco-friendly as much as I can, this was a perfect opportunity for me to do something good.

This is the tent where Reverb named "Eco-Villege". There were recycling boxes everywhere, and they have been doing this work for not only with Dave Matthews Band, but also with Maroon 5, Jack Johnson, Cold Play....and many other artists.

My job was to get donations from fans for CO2 offset. We also tried to tell everyone to encourage to use reusable water battles for reducing the wastes of plastics.

It was mad hot that day, and I probably walked more than 10 laps all around the stadium asking people to donate.

But good thing about doing this volunteer is that you can see your favorite shows free! lol

I mean you work for free, so you deserve it. Besides this kind of big act shows are usually expensive, and I wouldn't pay for it. By the time the opening acts end playing, you are free to see the entire show. I got a VIP wrist band, so I could go anywhere.

I'm not a huge fan of Rock music, but I love his band.

Their music is a mixture of rock, soul, jazz, contemporary, alternative.....it's hard to categorize.

And they played hard core. There was no small chat or what so ever, they kelp playing one to another for over 3 hours. It was a great experience, and I'd sure to support them.

By the way, I started working with one company as an intern. I still help out my previous intern as well, so I've been working everywhere for free. I love doing this, but I feel like I should start looking for a job where I can get some money for my efforts and skills. lol

Jimmy Cliff @ Central Park Summer Stage

Last week, one of my favorite (Top 5) artists came to NYC.

Jimmy Cliff is definitely one of the very first Reggae artists who spread the awareness of Reggae music and Jamaican culture early 70s. He is the only currently living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honor that can be grande by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and science.

Oh how I love New York....I still can't believe I saw him LIVE.

There were 600 people outside of this space who couldn't get in since it was a free concert at the Central Park main stage.....I was at the front row waited for over hour under 90 degree heat!

Trevor Hall from South Carolina

Victor Deme from West African country, Burkina Faso

Jimmy Cliff

Over the decades, he still has same energy, same voice, and same passion for Reggae music. He sings as he talks. He sings for world peace and love. That's what Reggae music supposes to be, and this is why I love his music.

I was damn ashamed to donate a dollar at the door after the concert.

This performance was just so priceless and should have donated more than a buck.

Happy Independence Day

Happy Birthday to America!

First of all, I missed the fireworks AGAIN this year. Not so cool to be honest.

I clearly remember that I was in LA last year with my Korean buddies doing Korean style BBQ at the backyard. I begged them to take me to somewhere so then I could see the fireworks, but no one seemed to care about fucking fireworks and said "Yuks, everywhere is jam packed, and it's too late to get a good spot. Don't worry we can see it from here."

Yes I saw the tiny little sparkles in the sky on that day.

Anyhow, I was so ready to see the fireworks first time in New York.

I had a couple of invitations from several people, but I didn't really feel like going any of them.....obviously I knew them and knew that they are good people, but all my best friends who I really want to celebrate this day with were unfortunately not here.

So I decided to celebrate this day in MY WAY. I asked my girl friend to go to the music festival in Brooklyn spending all day listening to good Reggae and Hip Hop music. She is my concert buddy (I'm a concert freak, so I always need concert buddies) , so I was glad she came with me!

It was ridiculously HOT.

The event was held at the large parking place down south in Brklyn.

There was no shades under 35 degree Celsius. A rasta man who was next to me was like

"feels like you are in Jamaica right? Ha ha ha."

So we decided to go easy this time.....usually I would go to the front row and dance all day, but we sat on the small shades and laid down and just chilled for most of the times. There were some vendors and foods, so my friend and I had delicious oxtails stew (my absolute favorite), goat curry (yum), rice and peas (of course), festivals, red snapper.

....oh man I was there for over 10 hours from 1pm to close to midnight, and I don't even know how much I was dehydrated.... CRAZY HOT DAY. The sunset was gorgeous and every part of the sky had different colors. It was a best moment ever.....beautiful sky, good music, good food, and good time. It was just so priceless. (well I did pay for the ticket, so it was all paid off. )

The main performer was supposed to be Shaggy, but who knows? He performed some of his popular songs and I thought that was pretty hype, however, the audience wasn't so excited for some reason.....I had no clue what was wrong. Out of blue he just disappeared from the stage in very awkward way.......I really don't know the reason.

I think Yellowman (in the picture above) and Shabba Ranks were pretty good that night.

Lady Saw was doing her thing as always.....crazy lady.

Overall, the performance was not so great compare to the other reggae events, but I surely had a great time chilling out. I really wish Beenie Man can come to America soon.....stupid government!

Common Live + Harlem + Gay Pride Parade

Common showed his love at the Fort Greene Festival in Brooklyn!!!

It was such a good festival....good music, good food, and good people with good vibes.

His freestyle was absolutely mad. wish he was on stage longer!!

I also met a sweet girl who is writing a fashion blog. She took a photo of me that day, so check it out. ----------->>>>> O.M.O Writes by Samantha: http://omowrites.blogspot.com/

Next day, I decided to get up early and go to the church to hear some gospels.

I went to one of the most famous church, but there was a endless line outside of the door. I was hoping to get in but decided to change the church. I met a girl from Switzerland who has been backpacking for 6 months. She was so sweet and wanted to hear gospels as well, so we walked around Harlem together trying to see where else we could listen to some good gospels.

We went in one of the super local tiny church around 140th St. There were about 10 people there singing together....it was soulful, but it was not what we expected thus we quietly left.....

We ended up going to the Greater Refuge Temple on 124th St. This church was much larger, and the choir was amazing.

After the service, I hit the K-town (Korean Town) with the Swiss girl to check out the Gay Pride Parade. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the gay parade, and I've never missed it for last a couple of years.

This was my first time seeing this parade in NYC, so it was exciting and fun to watch happy people.

My Get Away

Subway station in Queens.

It looks sort of ...Ghetto, but it's not too bad. I love the cultures in Queens and Brooklyn, and I've been exploring different areas. It's just different from what you know about "New York where all the lights are shining in concrete jungle".

What a cute Pepsi Ad! Super Classy. By the Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens.

This is where you can have the best view of East River from Queens side.

You can see the whole view of Manhattan without any crowds, noise, and dirty air.

My get away.

It's a beautiful park right by the river, and there are tanning chairs, hammocks, cute red chairs for people who want to read. There are even the pianos (2 cute painted pianos!) for street musicians.

Some people are playing soccer, kids are running around the sprinklers, and I go here and just lay down looking at clouds for making up tons of food and animals and aliens.