my Childhood...

I lived in Oakland since I was born and then around 7th grade, I moved to Alameda.
First off, I want to point out how sad it is for people to forget their childhood. I can’t believe how they would forget the most important period of their life. Well, what is childhood anyways? For me I would say it’s a time when you’re spoiled and can get whatever you want, playing with the girls during recess, avoiding the boys, because they might have cooties, or have crushes and will not tell anyone about it, come home everyday from school and watch Arthur and Dragon Tales before starting your homework, always had nap times, always go down to LA and Disneyland and most importantly, you didn’t have to worry about a single thing. At least that’s what it was like for me back then.
Starting of middle school, I had a journal that my friend gave me and everyday I wrote in it about my day and what happened and what I did. I actually finished writing in the whole thing too. I had other journals that I write about random stuff in but I feel like this journal my friend gave me was, in a way, very significant, but I have no idea where that journal went.
Now it’s only the 2nd year of high school and I already have so much to worry about. Sometimes it’s driving me crazy, but I guess it’s okay. I wish I can still relive my childhood though. Sometimes if I have time or in the mood to take out old photo albums, I would sit on my bed and reminisce the good old times I had with my friends and family. I wish I can have a time traveling machine and I can either go back in time or go to the future (only because I’m curious). Since I can’t and I can only move forward in time, I guess the only thing I can do is just look through my old photo albums and just think about the good times I had.

Ponyo!

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. is a 2008 Japanese animated film from Studio Ghibli written by Hayao Miyazaki, the academy award winning director of Spirited Away.
One day, 5 year old Sosuke finds a goldfish stuck in a bottle and decides to keep as a pet and named it Ponyo. What Sosuke doesn’t know is that she’s actually a princess who wants to become human. Her father is some kind of wizard and her mother is a goddess. Ponyo uses her father’s magic and transformed herself into a human and falls in love with Sosuke. Ponyo’s father, Fujimoto, summons the waves to get Ponyo back. Ponyo’s mother, Guranmamare, said Sosuke is going to be tested if he really loves Ponyo and can protect her. Sosuke promises to protect Ponyo and she kisses him while turning back into a girl again!
This movie is the most adorable movie ever! I’ve watched other films from Studio Ghibli but Ponyo is the cutest one so far. Even the theme song is very cute. Ponyo and Sosuke are 5 year olds and it’s so cute knowing they’re in love with each other! This film is so magical and uplifting. It sort of reminds me of The Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo. I think Hayao Miyazaki is such a genius. I love his movies! I am looking forward of more movies from him. I really wish I can get the DVD of this; doesn’t matter if it’s in English or Japanese. I found the DVD of Ponyo at a Hello Kitty store and I wish I could’ve bought it. Oh well, maybe next time. But if I had the DVD, I’d so watch it everyday. But eventually I will get tired of it… but that doesn’t matter because eventually I will want to watch it again. Also, I printed out the sheet music of Ponyo’s theme song so I can play it on the piano! After watching this movie, I want to watch all the movies Hayao Miyazaki wrote! :]

Statement of Purpose

After learning piano for 7 years, I still fail in writing my own music. A lot of my friends can make up their own music with a base that matches the melody or listen to a song they like and then compose it. I can't do that. I've tried and I still can't make the left hand match with the right hand. Sometimes I even go on YouTube to look for tutorials but it's too hard for me, so the only thing I do is look for the sheet music on the internet then play.
Other than making up my own music or learning by ear, I still have piano lessons that my teacher gives me books with pieces to play which I think is very boring. I'm also currently learning exam pieces. Right now I'm in the 5th grade. There are 8 levels. My teacher said I can skip 6th to 7th because it's pretty much the same thing. I've taken the 5th grade exam last year, but I failed it; I couldn't get a 100%, instead I got a 90 and I still didn't pass. I think it isn't fair because 90 should be considered as passing and I can't believe I have to retake it again. When I found out I didn't pass, I got so upset that I started procrastinating by playing the songs I print out, therefore I barely remember how to play the exam pieces. I'm disappointed in myself, but recently I thought to myself, "Come on Elaine. Get it together now. You almost passed it, just keep going!"
After school, I practice piano for an hour and I have to admit that I've improved a lot too. Hopefully the next time I take the exam, I'll pass and won't have a super strict judge.
Even though I fail at almost everything about piano and hate the songs my piano teacher gives me, I still love it so much. This is probably a gift I've found about myself. It's also perfect to help me to be calm. Hopefully I will pass 8th grade before I graduate high school and maybe in the future, I can teach kids how to play piano too. :)