8th June, 2010

Dear Diary,

"Don't worry too much. There's lots of fishes in the sea. I know you still want THAT fish, but well, just think about it this way. God is just testing you. God wants the best for you. That's why it's like this. I mean, that's why both of you didn't work out that good cos God has better plans for you; a better guy, who truly deserves someone as awesome like you." - Fiifs.

I met Hamish today at the airport. I'm so glad to have been able to spend some time with him. He's a great cousin and we laughed and talked a lot today. Oh, have I mentioned that he got me a book with the title The Marks of Cain by Tom Knox in Kuala Lumpur? YES, HE DID!

I suppose, the great things in life cost from little to nothing at all. From now on, I would accept the greater things coming my way with wide arms. I'm trying my best to always look up, never to look downward nor backward.

I can be the happy-go-lucky girl I used to be, but only this time, more aware of the world around me... of the things that would hurt me.

So, Inter-School Kendo Workshop is coming up soon! I can hardly wait!!

I bet you're wondering what is this "Kendo" I've always been excited about. Well, Kendo is actually a modern Japanese martial art which uses a bamboo sword as its main weaponry, derived from Kenjutsu - the traditional Japanese swordsmanship. I joined Kendo Club since last year in my school - which happens to be the most prestigious school in my country. This year, I'm the vice captain of the school's Kendo Club, as appointed by the National Kendo Alliance. Not to boast but yeah, I'm that good. Kendo is actually one of the only few things I'm good at. To say that I'm also a practitioner of any other martial arts would be a lie because Kendo is the one and only martial art I've done and the very first one, in all honesty.

What really attracted me the most towards Kendo was the equality among the teachers, seniors and juniors. There's no inidication or sign to differentiate which is which. It's amazing how this is still maintained even after decades of this martial art's existence. My most favourite part of Kendo will always be "kiai", a shout normally used to express the spirit within one's self. This can be heard during training and sparring.

Executing a cut with the bamboo sword in your grip while a kiai being released from your throat - so loud, bloodcurdling and clear - is indeed a satisfaction I've never thought I'd feel.

I don't really know how I ended up becoming a hardcore kendoka (meaning a Kendo practitioner). At first impression - which was in 2007 -, I found Kendo to be a very "noisy" martial art, much to my dismay (Oh, do pardon my insolent behaviour for I was only 12 at the time!). I always saw the kendokas training vigorously at the concourse area with two very gruesome-looking yet surprisingly young instructors supervising them.

Gradually, I began to notice its charms bit by bit. I began to see how this so-called noisy martial art can be of great significance to them.

Then I did a thorough research of Kendo. I flipped through books, surfed the internet, asked a lot of questions. My curiosity was still craving for more. One day, I was just standing outside the school's auditorium and a senior, wearing the Kendo training uniform which consisted of dark blue pleated trousers - the hakama - and robe - the gi, stepped out, turned around and bowed to the auditorium.

I could not help but feel shaken at the sight of that. Surely any other martial arts would have done the some and pay respects to their respective training areas but this had such an effect on me.

Now here I am, a vice captain.

Ranting about Kendo always makes me feel even more enthusiastic towards the workshop. Not to forget, there's going to be an exclusive training for our club the day after tomorrow.

Another thing I'm looking forward to!!

- 久美子 Kumiko