I decided to write a blog post because I am procrastinating dreadfully on finishing my final story draft.
First of all: Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快乐 literally means 'happy new year', whereas the traditional greeting (the one I learned is decidedly not Mandarin) is more of 'may you have good fortune'. There's two ways to say it in Japanese too.
I got to help out with Japan Club's Friday New Year event, which was mildly ironic. There was a koto player there, though, and I was happy. Koto is a beautiful instrument. I think it's called a zither in English? Anyway. It's not the first time I've seen one being played, but it's definitely one of my favorite Japanese things.
Lā Kulaia was the same day, earlier in the morning. It's the celebration of our college's namesake, Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani (even though her birthday was on Saturday), and 2nd year and above students are required to attend. There were speeches, a hula, and our class performed a song. We all had to make our own ti-leaf leis, and since it was my first time I ruined a few batches of leaves and made a lumpy lei and an absolutely beautiful lei poʻo (head lei). I am so proud.
I'm not the best with Hawaiian history, but Keʻelikōlani was a pretty amazing woman. We have a story (and chant) about her lying in front of a lava flow that was threatening Hilo (the 1886 Mauna Loa flow that stopped just mauka of the school that they don't tell you about when you apply here) and it stopped. It's one of my favorite chants.
We were required to kneel for the entire event, and it ended up being rather painful, so we got to reflect on the struggles of Keʻelikōlani and how we can be inspired by her example in a physical sense. Everyone kept saying 'kūpaʻa, kūpaʻa!' I know, I know!
It was still a really good experience.
I've been really busy swimming through homework whilst preparing for my third and final International Nights! Japan Club is performing as well as the hip hop group. So far I have fallen several times, smacked myself in the face, gotten bruises, kicked myself rather hard in the leg and ran into the wall. (IN my defense I wasn't wearing glasses and apparently I really am that blind.)
I've also gotten accepted to be published in the school's academic journal for a Linguistics essay. So I'm really excited. By the way. I meet with my editor this week!
再见！
