Nagata Shachu

Tonight I went to the Nagata Shachu performance which is a Japanese Taiko and Music Group. I really enjoyed it! I was never bored. There was a variety of instruments as well as dancing and singing. The performers are all so talented. What was really awesome was the fact that they all looked like they were enjoying what they were doing. It makes me respect them even more to watch them do what is obviously their passion. I don't understand how they didn't accidentally throw their sticks. They were beating the drums so hard. It was cool seeing all the different instruments. I have heard this kind of music before but I have never know what the instruments look like.

I really like that I can experience such unique things like this a Elon. I would never have this convenient of an opportunity at home. I like that I can enjoy performances but learn things from them as well.

Hometown Hero

When you think about it there are few people in life that you truly trust. It takes a special person to earn the complete trust of someone else. Someone who can personifies a hero in my eyes. I am lucky enough to have that person in my life and her name is Ms. Alice Kay McFarland.

Cancer is one of the scariest words in the English language. It tries to kill its victims painfully physically and mentally and succeeds all too often. Those who survive have two choices: they can be bitter and spiteful towards life or they can gain a new found perspective and love for life and those in it. Ms. McFarland had cancer. She dealt with grueling surgeries and unforgiving chemotherapy. Today she is a cancer survivor; however, you would never know by just talking to her. She is extremely healthy and forgiving. She takes life in stride and always finds purpose in life’s challenges.

Ms. McFarland is an extremely talented musician. She can play the piano beautifully but more impressively she has the voice of an angel. Music is what defines her. It is her life story while her cancer is merely a subplot. She uses her talents in many ways. One of the most giving ways is her work in her church. Ms. McFarland is very invested in her relationship with God and it is apparent that she was given these talents to help her minister to others. She is a part of a small church that ministers to a humble community. She has worked hard to use her talents to minister and to share her music with that community. Music offers peace and sometimes it can be the first connection that someone has with Christ. Also through her church she recently started a campaign to help more of her community. She collects basic school supplies for one of the most impoverished schools in the city. Without this program the great majority of these children would have nothing, not even the bare minimum, in the way of school supplies. Ms. McFarland receives nothing in return, no real recognition or anything of that sort. However, I am sure she is a hero in the eyes of those children and their families.

Though all that I have mentioned is enough to be considered a “hometown hero,” they are not the reasons she first came to mind. I first thought of the complete trust I have in her and the profound affect she has had on my life. Before I met her I was not confident in myself at all. I tended to be withdrawn and very hard on myself. I lived life without learning form it and appreciating its beauty. Ms. McFarland saw my potential. She taught me to sing in more ways than one. She has been my private voice instructor for six years; however, more importantly, she has been my mentor. She helped me come out of my shell and learn to love myself. She has taught me that pain is a part of life. You hurt for a reason: it shows life has meaning. I can tell her anything without fearing judgment. Instead, I know that she will coach me through the tough times and rejoice with me in the good. Most importantly I learn by example. She lives with high moral standards and I have never seen her falter from them. However, I have never seen her struggle with them either. She knows herself and is extremely comfortable with her decisions. She does not need to fit in. She does what is right for her and makes no apologies for it. She always tells me “no one has to live your life but you.” So because of her I try hard to do what I know is right and I don’t worry about what others think of me. She has not only had this affect on me. Many other people have their own reasons to cherish their relationships with her. She dedicates herself to the needs of others whether it is through community service or an impromptu conversation about the unfairness of life.

I cannot put into words how much she has impacted my life. I am so grateful for everything she has done for me and every time she has saved my life. She does not fight fires or bad guys or anything that classically defines a hero. But she does save lives and make them better for those around her. She is my hero.

Rugby Practice

OK, so last Tuesday I went to rugby practice. I was scared and had no idea what I was doing. I have never played rugby--ever. So, we start off running around the football field passing the ball to the girl behind us. (Apparently in rugby you have to pass backwards or else its a penalty. Yes, I do realize that you are passing the ball the opposite direction of the goal but whatever rugby is hardcore). I guess I should make something clear--I hate to run. I am slow and out of shape and I just despise it. Needless to say I wasn't exactly enjoying practice yet. But a friend and I were joking with one another so that made it bearable.

Next we learned how to pass correctly. After I got the hang of it it wasn't so bad. But half way through the session something stung me at the base of my neck. To make matters worse a girl in my group decided to throw the ball to me at the same time. So of course I make an idiot out of myself by being the first person to not catch a pass in my group. I have no idea what stung me by the way. All I know is it hurt. But I was playing rugby so I had to just play it off like nothing happened and ignore the stinging sensation on my back.

Next we practiced passing while in motion. One of the most important things in this is to make sure the girl you are throwing to is paying attention. To be sure you wait until they say "ball" and then throw it to them. You can probably guess what is coming--I wasn't ready. I did not say "ball" but the girl next to me just decided she didn't want to have the ball anymore so she threw it to me. I awkwardly caught it, but it hit my right index finger hard. Apparently this jammed my finger because as I type this my right index finger is about twice as big as the left one and beautiful shades of black and blue on the back. But again I don't say anything about what happened and just continue with the rest of practice.

We learned the basic kicks of rugby (kicking is the only way, other than running, that the ball can go forward). We also learned about the scrum. There is no easy way to explain what a scrum is. Basically it is a group of girls who are awkwardly close together (if you saw it you would know) trying to get the ball for their team at the beginning of the game etc. All I can say is rugby girls have to be strong. Of course we also learned how to tackle. That was fun but I am still sore from it.

When I though practice was finally over (it went almost an hour longer than they told us it would by the way) we had to run... again! This killed me... I really hate running

The big question is will I continue? Well lets examine the rest of my night. I had a 4-5 page paper due the next day. Had I started it? Nope! But I really had no time other than after practice. When I get back to my room some random girl is in there talking to my roommate. She stays about ten minutes then leaves to go to the volleyball game. The strange thing was that my roommate has only met the girl once in passing and has no idea why she came to our room in the first place. It was all very strange. Anyways by the time I showered and got food it was 9 and I still hadn't started my paper. I got it done around 1 and got some sleep before my 8:00 class in the morning. My draft wasn't as good as I wanted it to be but it was the best I could do. My point in all this is I am not sure I have time to play rugby and do well in my classes (which is the reason I am here). So I think I have decided against rugby. But despite all the incidents I had a good time and I am glad I tried it. All the girls were so nice and helpful and I know they will have a great season!

Elon 101- Organization Fair

One of the things I signed up for at the Organization Fair was Elon Women’s Rugby. I have always been interested in the sport and decided that I will try it out next week and maybe join the intramural team. I figure it will be a good way to exercise and meet new people. Plus if I decide rugby is not for me I don’t have to stick with it. Another group I signed up for is Moving Forward in Christ. I plan to be apart of the gospel choir. I love to sing and be apart of a chorus so I thought this would be a good new experience for me. Everyone seems really welcoming and I think it will be a good stress reliever for me. I also signed up to be a committee member for the Elonthan. I think I really want to be on the morale committee and keep the dancers motivated! I signed up to be apart of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, which is a co-ed service fraternity. I look forward to having ways to serve the Elon and the community. Other groups that I signed up for that I plan on being active in are the Psych Club and Phoenix Phanatics.