because my friend posted

Since Cliff, who rarely posts anymore, posted, I feel compelled to also write about my recent doings.  It's been quite a tumultuous past month.  I began a relationship with a long-time friend that I am enjoying so much.  It's been two years since dating, but for various reasons, I feel so confident and comfortable in this relationship.  But I'll save this story for another time.

Starbucks Green tea latte (soy milk), no syrup.  The closest thing you'll get to a genuine japanese maccha.

Other than that, I was busy with a lot of May Contribution activities.  Since last year, I've made it a commitment to do participate in special contribution with a deeper sense of purpose and appreciation.  As a result, I've received a lot of benefits.  In fact, toward the end of the month, because I my life felt scrambled with job searching, activities, work, and other things, I had to sit myself down in front of the Gohonzon to chant about it all.  About the success of my relationships, finding a job, and finishing out my current stint with my judge in the best way possible.  Most of all, I was chanting for better financial fortune.  

I did a 久しぶりの 10-hour toso two weekends ago and I made some difficult decisions regarding my job search.  Without going too much in detail, I decided that I don't want to compromise what I wanted to do with my career.  I found myself getting so desperate to find a job that I came closer and closer to thinking that I would simply take whatever I could find.  After my daimoku, though, I made a firm decision to forego applying to a non-profit that I was confident i would get if I applied.  Ironically, a few days after I made that decision, the position was filled.  However, a few days after that, I received a [informal] offer from a place that I interviewed with 4 months ago. Out of the blue.  Now, I will be signing the papers on Tuesday, starting my new job in a month.  Daimoku!

Recently I've been learning the importance of appreciation.  Buddhism teaches reverence for the dignity of life, all life - regardless of how that life is manifested.  So, even the life of someone who is causing you problems  is deserving of this kind of respect (which, of course, doesn't mean that his/her actions are acceptable).  Buddhism also teaches that these problems in your environment that you may confront are opportunities to find/develop your own Buddha nature, the inherent condition that we all possess and which is also the reason for the respect we have for all life.  Anyway, I've realized that I wasn't appreciating this buddha nature in everybody, and instead, taking problems that I associated with them as insurmountable and as fact. When I started appreciating though, I came to realize that I was ignorant to the fact that this was an opportunity to reach down deeper in my life to bring out the best possible conditions of my life and challenge the situation.   

Anyway, in other news, I reached nana-kyuu in Karate!

ハルウタ

It's spring. I feel a little guilty for not posting more often, especially because this is one of my only [digital] outlets. I came back from Cancun with my parents, and as much as I was complaining about the idea of going with my folks, I really had a blast. I had time to relax, which I forget to do sometimes! But more on that in a subsequent post.

I really feel satisfied with the way 2012 is going. We began the Gajokai Academy in late February, and for our region, it's been very successful. I see the other regions struggling, which is all the more reason why we need to show actual proof in Chesapeake Bay. A point to be remembered is that the administrative tasks is half the battle. The problem is that no one wants to do them! I found Google Docs to be very, very helpful . . . Reading the Human Revolution, it amazes me how strong communication and reporting were despite the conditions of post-war Japan.

But the real reason I decided to post today was because I found a Ikimonogakari song that I really liked, and wanted to make sure I had it somewhere so I won't forget to get a hold of it. I fell in love with them ever since Ge Ge Ge no Nyoubo's dorama theme song. This new song is for some new anime. There's nothing special about it, but maybe that's why I like it so much. It sounds like a typical anime song, which breaks back memories of when my grandfather (one of which just passed away a few days ago, NMRK) sent me huge boxes of VHS tapes filled with recorded kids shows. Like the animes that were in those tapes, these songs were full of excitement and sense of worry-lessness. It makes me feel 'free and easy.'

In other news, I fractured my rib, and it's been three weeks and still hurts. The doctor tells me another three weeks and I should be okay. The awesome thing is that, at the karate tournament at which I was injured, I ended up winning the entire thing. I'm debating whether to go to another tourney this coming Saturday in VA. I could compete up again, which would be very good experience. Still experimenting with a new kamae.

whenever I get around

Whenever I get around to writing these darn things, I always forget what I wanted to write. I have to remind myself by looking at the random pictures I've taken with my cell phone.  So here we are.

I went to Dick's Sporting Goods to grab some equipment I needed for my karate tournament that I had last saturday, and I staggered when I saw the prices of these darn mouth pieces.  Since when did mouthpieces cost 50 dollars?  I couldn't even find a decent pair of simple mono-colored ones.  No, Nike, I don't want people to see a swoosh when I smile.

These last three pics are from the tournament venue in York, Pennsylvania. I felt slightly out of place when I was driving up there early in the morning up I-83 because there was just nothing around.  I felt like I was on some sort of frontier ... yet it was inhabited.  I later learned of the presence of many Amish and Moorish people.  But as I ventured into the plains, I felt somewhat at peace. It was such as beautiful site to take in, outside the chaos of the cities and industry.

That particular location was some golf course that was decked out with snow tubing hills and some conference centers. I also won the tournament. Yes. I have a few other tournaments coming up so it's making me try that much harder at my classes.

These two gals I've known for quite some time, since they were toddlers. Their parents helped raise me into the YMD I am today.  I went to visit their family in Lancaster right after my tournament, and I'm really glad I did. My alterior motive was to get some encouragement from the dad . . . and wow . . . . If you want to find someone who's fighting for kosenrufu (and remember, in the community Amish!), this is the guy.  I felt so honored to even be in his presence . . .

Finally, a family friend of mine came back from Japan with a gift that I've been wanting for quite some time. I have been using my beads (bottom) for several years, and the ends have been coming apart.  In fact, one of the ends just went kung fu on me and just completely came apart. I received the ones pictured on the top. I figure I can use March 16 as a good date to start with my new beads. This sounds kind of ridiculous, but I am going to be a little sad parting with my worn out beads. It's been with me through the toughest years of my life . . .

By the way, the new ones are these massive beads that just went out of style, lol. The oversizeness is still in style, but the cloth ends are not. Nowadays, many of the YMD in Japan are using temari-style balls, which really do look cool.  But I really like the dark color of these new beads. Seems like I've matured or something. Ha! As if . . .

start the engine

Every Sunday, after watching a good days worth of football (if I have the chance), I'll take a deep breath, and begin mentally preparing for the onslaught that the week will bring. 

Of course, a lot has been happening. My last post was about 朝ゴンhelping. Almost instantaneously, I've gotten some results. On Thursday, I went to a Baltimore City Bar Association event at the Silo Point Penthouse and met my old internship boss at the City Law Department. I established a really close relationship with her and the rest of the office, so I was very happy to see her at the event as well. According to her, there are some potential employment opportunities that may pop up and she's been recommending me left and right. The jobs are right up my alley - they involve zoning and land use matter.

@ Silo Point

I also started karate again, and I think I'm progressing fast. It's been nice to have something to look forward to, and also a reason to get back into shape. I'm nearly back to a full split and the Senseis have recognized my potential, or so I think. Last Saturday's class was cancelled due to a Shodan Belt Test. Five people earned their black belt. It was enjoyable watching the testing :)

The biggest news is that my older brother is moving to Santa Monica. He was selected as the YMD Study Fellow. It'll last 2 years.  There are, of course, collateral effects of his moving to California, so I have to prepare for more here after he leaves. I'm happy for him. If I had to choose one person to establish a solid study program for the SGI-USA, there's no doubt that I would choose him. He's moving at the end of the year, so that makes two Kunimoto's within a few months of each other moving to Cali.

We've had a bunch of going-away celebrations for him. Just yesterday, we got together with a few of the YMD leaders at Matthews 1600, a local restaurant/bar in Catonsville. It was nice to chill and do some good ol' heart-to-heart, but I drank one too many (which is, for me, one beer). 

Justin and Richard

This wednesday will mark the first official step of my professional career as an attorney. I'll be sworn-in on Wednesday in Annapolis, and will become an Esquire! As much as I would like to be excited, I can't get myself pumped up since all the hard work was done earlier this year. This Wednesday is just a formality, but it certainly is a big step for me :)

At yet another going-away for my older bro, I had time to reflect with some other members about the contributions that he has made to this region, and it's made me realize how fortunate I am to have grown up in this family and in my circumstances. For all the problems that an older brother creates, to be a younger brother of someone who pushes himself for kosen-rufu is truly, truly a humbling experience. Aside from my mother, my brothers have had the most positive impact in my life because of their connection to Sensei. So, thank you to my family.

I forced Ryan to take a picture with me at Daniel's going away at the Community Center.

Finally, "Headlights," by Monkey Majik, which I referred to a month ago, is finally out in its full version! Check out the PV and a cover by CREAM.

fight

In the literal sense, that's what I've been training to do in my karate class. Just the idea of going to class get's me excited. I even trained today. I do this obscure exercise I created back when I was in highschool - I put leg weights around my ankles, place a stool or chair about two feet in front of me, and do roundhouse kicks over the chair. The motions have to be slow and controlled. It has always helped me with my form, but it ultimately helps with power. The point of the exercise is not to touch chair, obviously, but also extend out to a full roundhouse, and return back to starting position. It trains an obscure part of your body - the sides of your gluts - which many people overlook (and laugh at). In fact, it's one of the most important muscles for effective roundhouses. I abused that kick in tournaments, and it always caught people off guard.

Obviously, I'm glad I started karate again.

But I'm "fighting" in a more general sense as well. I've been having a tough time at work for various reasons, and I knew in my head that I needed to start my day with strong daimoku, but I never got myself to get up on time to chant. Of course, when it dawned upon me too late that I could simply ask my SGI fam for support, a men's division leader extended a helping hand. So I got up at 5am, drove to his place, and chanted for an hour. I thought that the first day would be difficult, but actually, I had so much more energy today than I've experienced for quite some time. I even got to exercise, like I said before.

And maybe it's the combination of the two happenings I mentioned above, but I'm not stressing out about my ambitions. I have this bad tendency to fret over things that I want to achieve - which, objectively, seems ridiculous now that I say it. Shouldn't I enjoy pursuing things I want? But that's I feel right now.

For example, there are a handful of firms I would love to work for around D.C., and I have no problem with the fact that I may have to provide free labor for them before I can land a job with them. It's actually exciting - the idea that I would be building experience and earning some survival money on the side waiting tables. I figure, I'm young, I'm reckless, and I should embrace the struggles in my professional life.

But that embrace is only possible because, I guess, I am doing what I need to do now. Which reminds me that I need to save money in case I am jobless for a bit :)

missing something and facebook

I am missing something. As much as I enjoy the idea of practicing law, I can't seem to get myself all excited over the idea of it right now. I'm not quite sure why.

Maybe it's because I have this perpetual desire to be doing something unique and creative - which is why Studying, in and of itself is enjoyable. Studying the law is enjoyable. And to the extent that practicing law requires constant education, it's enjoyable. But I haven't gotten there yet. I'm doing criminal law stuff until the end of December. It was fun in the beginning because it was new - you know, "unique and creative." But now that I've gotten some hang of it, it's becoming somewhat dull.

But I don't know that this is something that I can simply cure by a change in subject matter. It's not like, "Hey, if I practice Civil law, it will all be better." No, I don't think that't the case. I'm also scared to say that maybe I just don't enjoy practicing law as much as a I thought. That said, I haven't even actually started practicing law, so maybe I'm just thinking too much.

But I I think there's something else outside of the professional field that I'm yearning for. You know, like hobbies. Recently, I find myself not knowing what to do with the precious free time that I have. It wasn't so much a problem until this past thanksgiving weekend - a long weekend - when I didn't have any work to do (well, that's a lie, but whatever) and sat at my desk thinking how boring of a person I am. It was so bad that I forced myself to do things, like read professional books, which turned out not to be so fun in the end.

So I decided to push myself to do something that I knew that I would enjoy. I enrolled back into a Karate class. Well, I'm not fully enrolled yet, but I should start my first few classes next week. I was hesitant because I didn't want to start my rank all over again from the beginning, but then I thought, "if I don't do this now, I will regret it." Sort of like what Marika was thinking recently.

I did some karate back before college, and I also wrestled for a few years. I knew I had talent, but I never pursued them. So let's do this!!

Martial arts was one of the few things I had confidence in.  On the other hand, one thing that I've sucked at, but I've enjoyed, is poetry. So in order to get myself out of my "I don't know know what to do with myself" mess, I'm going to start reading the poetry that I like.

And so maybe I should also return to facebook. I think a lot of my distress is just this feeling of losing touch with the world, even if its a digital one.

Note to self: Cut hair.