Category Archives: Remember

Simply Take as Much as You Require

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Happy New Year!

As we usher in the new year, I stop to think about all that has happened in the past year. I am grateful for all the triumphs and struggles I have experienced. With each passing year, I am learning to see how precious life is and no matter how I feel about this crazy world, much grace shown to me.

I am thankful!

So let’s ring in the new year!

My hope for 2013 as a teacher, mom, and wife is to

1. lead with my ears,

2. follow kindness with my words,

3. and not react immediately.

Listening is probably the most important musical skill I teach each day. I would love to listen to those in my care with purpose. I need to do this!

Kind words can abate sticky situations and bring life to even the young. I want to practice kindness!

Not reacting immediately will be the hardest, for sure. I want my anger to straggle along….ever slowly. I want to live a grace-filled life!

I will leave you with a musical (really, life) thought from Edward Elgar:

“My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us;

the world is full of it,

and you simply take as much as you require.”

Take time to listen to the music around you. Let the music move you. Share the good and help those around you. Best wishes for 2013!

Yoon

Start the New Year!

Songs for Japan

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Since my last post, my students have been busy thinking about making song collections to bring hope and encouragement to all in Japan. We dedicate these songs to @barbsaka, @m_yam, @captainC, @johnstonb, @mscofino, and their students.

My students were to think of a song that would bring healing, encouragement and hope to people facing hardships in Japan. They wrote out their reasons on GoogleDocs and shared the links.

We send our love to you! May these songs lift you up and bring you healing.

~ Yoon

PS: I’m encouraging teachers and school elsewhere to add their songs and messages here or make their own playlst! Also check out Paper Cranes for Japan project. My school will get busy with crane-making after our Spring Break.

UPDATE:

1) We will be adding our message posted on the gloster and linoit sticky notes to We Love Japan message board as mentioned by Barbara. It’s really simple way to raise money – I hope YOU will also take a part!

2) Messages added to We Love Japan site!    ~ ysl

Speechless

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I have so much to say, but I find myself speechless right now.

It’s hard to watch what Japan is going through right now after the earthquakes and tsunami. As I write, many in Japan are holding their breath about the nuclear reactors situation. I know we, Americans, are far away from the East, but one cannot help, but feel for people in Japan.

I invite you to read some posts:

  1. A post by Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto (@barbsaka), an American teacher living and teaching in Japan. Her recent post, Aftershocks 2, is a sober read about what is happening in Japan. Her suggestions for foreigners who wish to help is really helpful.
  2. A Washington Post correspondent, Paul Bluestein wrote this personal post,  Why I’m Not Fleeing Japan on why he’s staying put in Japan.
  3. The last link I’m going to share is by Brad Johnston, a music teacher in Japan. He wrote a post titled, The Big Quake Music Lesson. Due to the earthquake, his school is on a week-long break and posted an interesting music lesson for his students (although they are not meeting face-to-face, many students are checking online for work). I took this lesson and while I discussed recent disaster in Japan with my students, I asked them to consider songs of hope and encouragement for people who are in Japan. Once I gather their links and messages, I will share them with Brad and Barbara.

My thoughts and prayers are with people in Japan!