夏の写真

写真家の友達が、この氷点下の時に、夏の写真を送ってくれた。

うわ～！！！髪の毛が・・・！！！

ないっ！

My friend sent me this pic. I thought my daughter has no hair but now looking at this, I could say she really didn't have hair over summer!

Welcome Sam!

 

このサム君は、クラスのぬいぐるみ。いい子だけが連れて帰れるの！やっとうちにもやってきました。サムを遊園地に連れていってあげたいよ～！って、お願いされたけど、それはねえ・・・。苦笑。

またきてね、サム！！！

Finally Sam came! Sam belongs to his classroom and he visits only good student! He wanted to take Sam to six flags but it's not for the season! 

Come  back again, Sam!!!

NY TIMES

On the Ark, Two by Two, Creatures (and Performers) Great and Small

Britten’s ‘Noye’s Fludde,’ With Young Performers

Ben Asen

Noye’s Fludde Samuel Wong, lower left, conducting a cast assembled by Lighthouse International and Park Avenue Christian Church, at Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

By ANTHONY TOMMASINI

Published: November 17, 2013

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Benjamin Britten loved composing pieces for children, not just for children to enjoy but also to perform. There is no better example that “Noye’s Fludde” (“Noah’s Flood”), a 60-minute opera based on a 15th-century mystery play, written for amateurs, especially children, with professionals mixed in. This telling of the biblical story was first performed in 1958 at Orford Church in Suffolk, England. It was presented as part of Britten’s Aldeburgh Festival with artists from the English Opera Group along with a large local cast, including a children’s choir.

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It was an inspired idea for Lighthouse International, an multifaceted organization serving people with vision loss, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School by joining with Arts at the Park, an affiliate of Park Avenue Christian Church, for an enchanting production of “Noye’s Fludde” on Friday night. The performance occurred exactly a week before the 100th anniversary of Britten’s birth.

Here was a cast that included adult singers, church choristers and, most moving of all, a roster of vision-impaired performers from the Lighthouse music program, including many children. Even the location of the production was an expression of shared community: Because of construction at Park Avenue Christian Church, the performance took place around the corner on 86th Street at Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

There were musical moments and dramatic images in this “Noye’s Fludde” that I will never forget, especially the children’s chorus when Noah gathers into the ark the creatures of the earth in male and female pairs: camels, asses, horses, marmosets, birds and more. The children, drawn from the youth choirs of both Lighthouse and Park Avenue Christian Church (directed by Dalia Sakas and Nicole Becker), walked up the aisle singing the score’s lovely “Kyrie.” They marched two by two, arm in arm, all wearing costumes designed by Haley Lieberman, topped by playful hats suggesting their animal type. They sang the music beautifully.

And what music! Even when the choral writing is accessible to children, the voices are buttressed by pungent, intricate instrumental music for a chamber orchestra of strings, recorders, piano (four hands), organ, timpani and, in this staging, a brass ensemble in a loft at the back of the church. During the scene when the rains come, the first droplets are evoked by piano plunks and the clinking pitched sounds made by a percussionist rapping a row of coffee mugs hanging on a cord.

When the storm turns terrifying, the orchestra bursts into gnashing chords, darting riffs and harmonic chaos. Then, calmly, the inhabitants of the ark start to sing the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”

The impressive conductor was Samuel Wong, an ophthalmologist with a dual career in music, who made his New York Philharmonic debut in 1990 when he was an assistant conductor with the orchestra. The production, with a simple, charming set by Vitek Kruta, was directed by Sarah Meyers, from the staff of the Metropolitan Opera.

As Noah, the strong bass-baritone Peter Stewart conveyed the character’s mix of confusion and devotion when a vengeful God, displeased by man “set full foul in sin,” warns him of the coming flood and directs him to build an ark. The Voice of God (an offstage speaking role) was performed by Elliott Forrest, whose disembodied voice is familiar to those who listen to him as an announcer for WQXR and WNYC radio. The plush mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin was wonderful as Mrs. Noye, who is at first deeply skeptical of her husband’s mission, preferring to bury her fears chatting with a female chorus of gossips. Being blind has not prevented Ms. Rubin from gaining attention as a fine vocalist. Noah’s sons were portrayed by three endearing young singers: Francesco Magisano, Geanny Trinidad and Mateusz Rogowski.

The church was packed to overflowing for opening night. Sadly, there were only three performances. With additional financial support, this inspiring show could probably have run for two weeks.

A version of this review appears in print on November 18, 2013, on page C3 of the New York edition with the headline: On the Ark, Two by Two, Creatures (and Performers) Great and Small.

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Angel

 

My mom loves angel. She believes she is an angel. I don't know about that but I know she is SO protected by angels. She is not doing well but angels around her saved her life, probably prolonged her life time. She is about to have surgery soon and my prayers are getting stronger for her. I love her so much but I can't do anything. I am the worst kid among her kids for sure. Leaving her to be selfish in the states. I am sure she has lots of anger towards me but she never showed me. She is nothing like me but strong and loving woman who is always supportive and positive for her children. I have so much to learn from  you yet, so please live strong longer. I need your guidance and strength. I am praying for your successful outcome from the operation. Angels, please help her.

Going home

 

My usual going home buddy. Hey, it's the old red train behind us!!! 

Special secret

本当にＤｉｅｔしないと、やばい。人生で一番太いのでは・・。

という事で、これを飲めって言われた。スプーン一杯を毎日３回。

がんばるぞ～！！！

Must lose weight. I was told to take this three times a day.

It tastes SO good. I love vinegar and I love apple. 

I have to do everything to get gorgeous body in 3 months!!!

２人の母

My mom is recovering from stroke. My NY mother is visiting my mom in Japan. Thank you so much.

I can't believe my mother is getting old to be in this situation. I am a bad daughter who doesn't do anything but giving her headache all the time! I may be the cause of the stroke. 

I will try my best to do good things, so you could have peace of mind....!

I love you, Mama!!!

脳梗塞から回復してきているママを、ＮＹママが訪ねにいってくれました。涙。ありがとう。

ストレスばかりママにあげているわがまま娘な私。脳梗塞の原因は私かも！？

もっと心配かけないように、ちゃんとした生活して、もっとママを安心させて、長生きさせないとな。

大好きだよ～！

Goodbye

Saying goodbye to you

You shut down on me twice

You took my info

You took my memory

You took fun away

You wasted my money

Now it's my time

I am not with you anymore

I am with iPhone 

Goodbye Samsung phone

携帯なしの生活中

携帯が突然壊れた。充電していたら、Ｔｏｕｃｈ　ｓｃｒｅｅｎが壊れている。ちゃんと起動するけど、指の動きを感知してくれない。この超貧乏時期に、また携帯を買わないといけないのか！？

それより何より、数分に一度は携帯をチラッと見る私。この２日間、携帯を持っていない・・・。

この生活・・・・

なんかいいかも。

特にお仕事中は仕事に燃えれるし、寝る前も携帯を見たりしないから、さっさと寝れる。

でもやっぱりないと不便。

明日、また金が飛ぶと思うと鳥肌がたつけど、やっぱり必要だ。

とほほ。

Chick

 

My princess is in chick costume! SOOOOOOOOO cute! 

My daughter at danger

 

Oh, my daughter was a chick....then we passed this store....people from store were about to kill her!! LOL  

Ｈａｒｌｅｍで生きた鶏が買えます。ですが、娘は今日のＨａｌｌｏｗｅｅｎで、ひよこちゃんだったから、外でたむろっていた店員にもう少しで殺されるところでした。

Night activity

 

毎晩こうやって本を読んでから寝ているんだって。パパ、ありがとう。

They told me this is how they read a book before going to sleep. Thank you papa.