Aquaphobia

Few years after I mastered my butterfly technique, I moved to Auckland. Time passed by and I never went into the water. Every time we had rare swimming classes during our PE class, I have always made excuses to skip swimming classes. Then I moved to a top grammar school with many gyms and swimming pools. They had both outdoor and indoor 5 meter swimming pool.  During June and July (winter in NZ), our class was scheduled to swim during the two months of freezing winter. Even the indoor pool was freezing cold. Since I did not swim for many years, I completely forgot how to swim. So I went to the beginner class with my friends and learned the basic technique. However, one day, at the end of the class, we had to swim across from one end to the other. Therefore, I decided to swim across the shorter horizontal side of the swimming pool to go the changing room. I took off my lifejacket and welcomed the dangerous water that welcomed me. I swam in free style, trying to remember the way I swam when I was little. But I could not hold my breath for the entire way. I struggled to reach to the end but I stated to panic. I was stuck in the middle of the pool and was starting to drown. I struggled to reach the surface and cry out for help. Then I forced my body to move toward the end of the pool and I craved for the air. I got out of the swimming pool and was exhausted. From this day, water became my phobia and my enemy. 

If I could bring Rostropovich back to life

"The artist must forget the audience, forget the critics, forget the technique, forget everything but love for the music. Then, the music speaks through the performance, and the performer and the listener will walk together with the soul of the composer, and with God. "— Mstislav Rostropovich
I would bring this genius, Mstislav Rostropovich, back to life. He is my favorite classical musician. Although I love Yo-yo-ma and Jaqueline du pre, he is the BEST! He is the "Cello King." I've always wanted to go to his concerts however, he passed away 3 years ago. Since he plays wih his soul, he moves people's hearts. I want to him to play,"Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1." Here is his live performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU_QR_FTt3E. I would like to talk about his passion in music. He is an Einstein in Cello! I miss his music...
I will serve him some Russian food...because he is from Russia! But I don't know which ones specifically. I want to serve him Korean Galbi! I hope he likes it! And I will serve mint chocolate chip icecream because that is my favorite food!

'Once upon a Paris' Chp. 3

My alarm woke me from my dream at 6am, Sunday. After finishing my daily morning routine, I went to the lobby to meet Blake. Blake was already there talking with our lead actor, Liam Hans. Liam had blond hair, blue eyes and pretty face. In two words, he is a pretty boy. Blake sensed my presence from few meters away and greeted me.


“Morning, this is Liam Hans.”
“Hello, I am Michelle. We have already met before.’”
“Bonjour, it’s my pleasure work with you.”
“Me too, hope it’s going to be another masterpiece.”
“Sorry for intruding, my brother William is going to show us around. He lived in Paris around five years.”
“I can’t wait to meet your brother. I saw his recent photo shoot in Dior. Did you get Elle Becker’s number?”
“Yes, I did. She is designing the costumes as soon as you inform her. Shall we move on?”


We went outside the hotel and I looked around to see our automobile. Blake went to the counter and asked something. Few minutes later, the hotel worker brought us three bicycles.


“Here. Have a great time in Paris.”

We gaped at the pretty bicycles in front of us. I felt like I was in a movie. I put all my bag, map, EOS inside the bicycle’s basket.


“I have an idea! I think we should go separate ways and find out some beautiful spots! Let’s meet up here after 3 hours.”


Liam and Blake were surprised at my suggestion but agreed. We rode out in different ways. I went toward the Eiffel tower. During my ride, I realized every part of Paris was many different pieces of art. I stopped by a small beautiful outdoor café to have my morning coffee. I took some beautiful pictures of the cafe. I sat down on the chair and took out my planner. The waiter came up to me and I ordered black coffee. I was too busy until I realized I was pouring grams of the sugar into the coffee. I accidently spilled the coffee all over the table. The waiter rushed in and helped me to clean it up. At that moment a young handsome man came in and sat down next to my table. I immediately recognized one of the men was Blake’s brother William, the supermodel. I gazed at him. Wow. He is definitely the sculpted human model. He turned his head toward me and saw me. He stood up and came to my table.


“You must be Michelle Klein. My brother told me you guys were around this place.”
“Wow. I mean hello. Nice to meet you. I saw your recent photos and it is marvelous. You and Blake do look alike.”
“Yes we do. Blake and Liam are going to join us in ten minutes. He is near the Seine River and Liam is near Eiffel Tower.”
“Fantastic! Can you show me the beautiful sites in Paris?”
After ten minutes later, Liam and Blake joined us and we started our Paris tour.

'Once upon a Paris' Chp. 2

“Flight 1215XH is ready to aboard in 10 minutes.” a voice announced.
I was in the lounge and Blake came back with two Starbucks coffee. Blake has been my assistant since last year. He is a sweet handsome young boy who graduated from NYU. He helps me greatly and takes care of my things well. He brought my Canon EOS and I asked Blake to pose for a mini photo shoot at the airport.
We boarded the plane and found out our seats were separated from each other. I placed my luggage on shelf and made myself at home in the capsule seat. Blake’s seat was two seats behind my seat. At the last minute, a tall, young man in shades came in and sat next to the seat across me. Two young girls came up to him and got his autograph. I was curious who he was but I acted like I didn’t care.
I fell asleep for hours and when I woke up. He looked familiar like someone I knew long time ago but I just couldn’t remember. Maybe I saw him from my dream. I am searching through my memory, trying to remember who he is but I can’t. My memory cannot recognize him. Suddenly a familiar voice interrupted my memory.


“Excuse me, hello. I am sorry I’m bothering you. Can I borrow your pen? My pen’s ink ran out.” He was talking to me and I think know his voice.
“Oh! Hi. Yeah. No problem.’ I stared at him and he caught me watching him.
“Is there any problem?”
“No. I do not. I was just wondering. I think I know you.”
“Why is that?”
“I am not sure. Maybe I saw you in my dreams or somewhere. Silly me.”
“Or maybe because I am…”

He was interrupted by the pilot that the plane is ready to land. He smiled and I closed my eyes as the plane landed. I opened my eyes as I heard people talking. Blake came up to me with my luggage and I looked around to find the stranger. He was nowhere in sight. I shall call him, Mr. Mystery. We left the airport and rode a taxi to the Hotel Plaza Athenee, five star hotel.
At the hotel we checked in and I dismissed Blake. After taking my time in the lobby, I got into the elevator and was heading back to my room. The moment the elevator was about to close, two hands blocked it. A tall man came in and pressed the same VIP floor that I’ve pressed. He took off his shades. He was the guy I had the car crash yesterday.


“Hi Michelle, I told you I would see you again.”
“Wow…that’s a coincidence. How did you know that?”
“My best friend is your Mr. Gorgeous.”
“Really? Wait…what? My Mr. Gorgeous? Hahaha. No way he is mine.”
“He wanted me to take of his business in Paris because he is busy.”
“Oh. What kind?”
“I have to follow you around.”
“Pardon?”
“Just joking. By the way, I’m Max Stone, hotel owner.”
“Hi, I’m Michelle Klein.” The elevator opened. We went through the hall and ended up being neighbors.
“I got to go. Good night. Nice meeting you. Max.”
“Me too. Goodnight.”


I went inside my room and found my luggage on my bed. I went through my luggage and checked my phone. I played the messages.


“Beep. Hey, this is Mr. Gorgeous. How’s Paris? My best buddy is there with you. I think… Have fun!”
“Beep. Hey sister. It’s Ashton. Did you have a safe arrival? I hope I was there with you. Have a good night rest! Bye.”
“Beep. FYI. Don’t forget my presents! Love ya! Love, your favorite bro.”


Of course, my little brother was reminding me for his presents. Ashton is in his freshmen year at Yale. I adore my brother so much.
I unpacked my bags and took my EOS to the balcony. I took some beautiful shots of the Eiffel Tower. I went back to my room and fell asleep on the bed.

'Once upon a Paris' Chp. 1

“Blake, make a reservation in first class on April 2nd, Saturday morning to Paris for Michelle and yourself,” my boss, Mr. Gorgeous, told my assistant while we were having our Friday conference about our upcoming film.
We came back from our three week holiday after our best picture win in the Oscars 2018. I named my boss Mr. Gorgeous, but his real name is Daniel Johns. He is young, tall, well built man who looks like Prince Charming. I stared at my boss with a questioning look. He leaned down on the table where I was playing with his big beautiful grey Siberian Husky, Leo.


“Michelle, you are the director for ‘Once upon a Paris.’ Therefore you should have a week tour in Paris and find our shooting locations. I don’t want to lose our Oscar to that old Peter Jackson wanna be.”
“Why are you not coming with me?” I never went around the shooting locations without Mr. Gorgeous.
“Because… I have business to take care of”
“I thought we already finished casting our actors.”
“Yes! I forgot to mention that Liam Hans, our lead actor, will join your tour in Paris, the day after your arrival.”
“Alright then, I should go and start packing. Good bye.” I walked out and went inside the elevator where Blake joined me.
“Your ticket is with me so just pack your new passport and meet me in the airport lobby. You have a dinner with your brother Ashton at your favorite Italian restaurant at 7pm. The time is 6.57”
“Thank you and please don’t forget to bring my Canon EOS tomorrow. Oh dear. I am going to be late!” Then the elevator opened and I ran to my car. I started the engine and turned on the lights. I drove around the corner of the parking lot while I was texting my brother. When I looked up, I crashed into a new, expensive, black BMW. My heart was beating irregularly since this was my first car crash. The victim came out of his crashed car. I couldn’t see his face because he was wearing his shades. I practiced my breathing exercise and came out.
“Shoot…I bought this today.” He sighed and took off his shades. He has the strangest beautiful dark brown eyes that are encircled with golden rings. He was about 6 ‘1 and well built. His sculpted face perfectly matched his fine expensive suit. In one word, he was a masterpiece. I was spacing out until he was looking at me.
“I am so sorry. It was my fault. Can I have your number? I will fix this as soon as possible."
“Really? This is going to take a long time. Anyway, I don’t need your money. Apology is enough and accepted.”
“No really, I am really sorry. I want to recompense you for the damage.”
“Hm…I don’t want money since I have more than enough. But I want something else. I have to go. Can you give me your business card?” I took my card out from my purse and gave it to him. He looked at it and smiled. “See you later.” He put his shades back and left me standing on an empty parking lot.

Film Review: Shooter

Where is justice? 'The Shooter' is a action, thriller movie directed by Antoine Fuqua who shows the internal conflict in the government. It based on the 'Point of Impact' by Stephen Hunter. Bob Lee Swagger (main character) is former United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper. He left the marine after involving in a confidential Ethiopian mission. His friend, Donny, and he were abandoned by the army in the hands of the enemy. After Donny's death he lives in alone with his dog and beers. He is one of the few best snipers in the world who can "take out a target from a mile away." Colonel Isaac Johnson wants him to stop the assassination of the president by tracking down the distance of the shooter. On the assassination day, Swagger waits for the timing of the shooter. However, Swagger is shot by the one of Johnson's man while the shooter kills Ethiopian Archbishop. While he runs for his life, he runs into a FBI agent Nick Memphis. Swagger tells him that he did not kill the president and flees. He is pinned down."Yesterday was about honor. Today is about justice."That was the main summary for the movie. I don't want to spoil the movie! 'Shooter' is my favorite thriller, action film. This movie shows the inside of the government. Nobody is perfect, which includes the government.

One of the Seven Deadly Sins

GREED. Why are we greedy? Human's satisfactions is like the endless universe. Some people are disloyal, traitors, bribers, robbers and  gamblers. In order to satisfy the greed, people are endlessly attached to it. During Pre-calcus, our teacher, Mr. Lee, taught us the probability of winning in a gamble. He is our high school's dating 101 and phycology adviser. He told us the possible probabilities of losing and taught us a gambling game. I lost the gamble and have to write a blog about greed (gambling). Since casino is business, the owners use their brains to scrape the money from people's pockets. He told us to never gamble. It is very addictive and will ruin your life. In Saipan, in this small island, there are numerous of poker places. As Saipan's econonmy is going down the toilet, people are more desperate. Here's a lottery situation in US PowerBall. Five balls are picked out of 45 ball then one Powerball is picked out of 42. This gives the odd of 1 in 80,089,128. It has been said, "If you bought 100 tickets a week your entire adult life, from the age of 18 to 75, you'd have a 1 percent chance of winning the lottery". The win is small but you are tempted to proceed. Just once more.

What is the purpose of gambling? Gambling addictions will hurt your relatioships and responsibilities in your family and work. You'll end up in a deep financial catastrophe. But you can overcome it if you realize the problem. Gamblers will gamble when they are up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed. They can not stay away from it and keep risking their life and money. Gambling changes people and their life. It might lead to illegal acts to gamble. For an example from '21' movie, MIT students 'count cards' in a gamble. Ben (the main character) gambles to get his money for Harvard Medical School which is worth $30,000. However after reaching more than the money for the school by "end justifies the mean," he still wants to stay in Las Vegas. He loses the focus of this real life. Later he loses all his money, MIT graduate and Harvard admin. However he restores them by realizing how he can live his life without gambling. It teaches a lesson that "You can't always get what you want."

NU ABO

Does ABO blood type cause the difference in personality? In East Asia (esp. Korea and Japan), people ask other person's blood type to determine their personality. We believe that generally blood type has a correlation to one's personality, habit and lifestyle. Each bloodtype has both positive and negative personalities.However, this hypothesis may result in discriminations since it is stereotypical theory. It is for fun! Why so serious? Sometimes I read these studies and agree most of the times. I am bloodtype B!! :) What's YOURS?
What are the characteristics attributed to each blood type?

Bloodtype A: considers everything, uncomfortable around people, do not trust people so well, regard social order as important, loyal to a fault, and intend to restrain feelings and actions. Positive personalities are kind, shy, perfectionist,  patient, responsible, romanticist, and punctual. Squirrels portray A as they have precisive preparations. But the negatives are fastidious,  very conservative, obessive, stubborn and tense. Because they are overearnest, A get easily hurt in a relationship. A is compatible to A and AB.

Blood Type B: dislike restrictions, enjoy life, non-stererotyped thinking and actions, self conscious, do not care about rules and are not conscious of the circumstances. As they 'dont care' about things, Bs are portrayed as lazy cats.  Positive personalities are lively, creative, passionate, animal loving, optimistice, flexible and individualistic. However, the negatives are forgetful, irresponsible, self-centered, lazy, and players. Because they are very self-centered, they are the least typical bloodtype to get hurt in a relationship. B is compatible with B and AB.

Blood Type O: expressive, have straight desire, conscious of power relationship, sociable, natural leaders, and know how to take chances. Os are portrayed as dogs as they easily get attached. They have good traits which are ambitious, athletic, robust, self conscious, energetic, flexible and loyal. However they can be sensitive, vain, rude, and arrogant. They are very competible and are perverts. At breakups, they get huge heartbreaks but overcome it quickly. O is compatible with AB and O.

Blood Type AB: feels distant from the society=ALIEN, either genius or dummy. The animals are indecisive for the ABs. They are cool, rational, emphatic, shy and outgoing and popular. However they are critical, indecisve, self-entered, irresponsible and unforgiving. After breakups, they are unforgetbul about the past and the pains. They are compatible with all the bloodtype.


Credit cartoonist: Real Crazy Man

My City of Sails

The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland, is the known as the City of Sails as its harbor is full of beautiful yachts. Auckland is twelve times bigger than Saipan. It was the capital city of New Zealand until the capital changed to Wellington. Auckland ranked 10th place in The Economist's World's Most Livable Cities. Auckland is really really CLEAN. More than a million people live in Auckland. It is the largest Polynesian populated city including the indigenous Māori. Kiwis are the European blooded people, national bird or the tasty fruit. People say that the whole country is in the city. There are many exciting places in Auckland that I never been to but I did visit some renown places while living there for three years. I miss my school-Westlake Girls High & Epsom Girls Grammar, friends, Fish & Chips (OMG), Starbucks, Mövenpick Icecream in Mission Bay, Takapuna and New Market Shopping Malls, music camp, orchestra, nature, sheep, HOT guys in the central cities or in the bus, Cookie Times, fat chubby birds in my school, and my church. But I will never miss the rainy winter. Here are my top 3 places in Auckland.

 

Before I moved to Auckland, we (my mum, Minjoo's mum, Haelin, Seohee, Minjoo and I) had a tour around New Zealand. On the last day in New Zealand, we went to the Sky Tower, in Auckland,(the tallest tower shown in the picture above) for dinner. I forgot how many floors there were and the elevator's transparent glass floor was scary. We were fascinated by the restaurant's moving floor. We had a whole 360 degree view around the beautiful Auckland city at night. The windows are angled (like 45 degree) therefore when you lean againt it, you will have a feeling that you will fall down. I was worried about Seohee and Minjoo since they were lying on the windows. Also New Zealand is famous for bungee jumping. Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge are the famous places to bungee jump. Every month, Sky Tower's colour changes-in Christmas the tower is green and red.

My house is next to the Alexandra Raceway and the biggest and the prettiest landscape park, the Cornwall Park in Epsom. I can see the track from my window but never had the chance to watch horse racing because it was on the Friday night (I had church every Friday). Sometimes I go to the park to jog or to exercise. Sheep, lambs, cows, horses and goats are literally everywhere. The animals are right beside you when you walk. Also different kinds of tree are everywhere which become beautiful in the spring and the fall. You can feel the nature when you are in the park. I miss this park the most.   

Because I love music, I miss the Auckland Townhall. All Auckland secondary schools' orchestra, band or chamber orchestra participate in the annual KBB Music Festival. It was a great opportunity to see other schools' musical talents. Also I would look for the hot guys. My school, Westlake Symphony Orchestra, always won the gold award. My other school, Epsom Symphonia, always won the silver award. There are videos in youtube of our performance. There are many concerts in the Townhall. This year, Cobra Starship and Owl City performed in the Townhall. 

I hope I can go back for a visit before I go off to college. I ♥ Auckland.      

The Angel's tears in Music

Some people say that classical music is boring. But do you know the reason why popular songs only last for a few months while classical music last forever? Classical music is the fundamental foundation of music. Therefore musicians repeatedly play those old beaufiul pieces and never get tired of them.Without knowing classical music, it is impossible to understand music.
Since I was a little child, I  learned violin at the age of five. I always carry my lovely iPod touch. I listen to different genres and artists. Although I play the violin, I love listening to my favorite cellists. I prefer listening to cellists because they produce the deep, gentle, moving and soothing sound of music. My all time favorite cellist is Jacqueline du Pré. She is one of the greatest cellist ever lived. Jacqueline du Pré is a legend and an angel from heaven.

Jacqueline du Pré was born in Oxford, England on January 26th, 1945. Her mother, Iris du Pré, was a talented pianist who taught at the Royal Academy of Music. At age four, Jacqueline heard the beautiful sound of cello through the radio and asked her mother that she wanted "one of those." She got her first cello at the age of four but the cello was bigger than her tiny body. She loved the sound when she placed the bow on the string. Her mother taught Jacqueline until Jacqueline went to London Violoncello School at age five. She never left music from then and showed her talents through competitions.  

William Pleeth, her "cello daddy", taught her from age ten and helped her ingenious talents to develop although it was at the peak. She was passionate, fortunate and talented enough to study with Casals, Tortelier and Rostropovich. Mstislav Rostropovich, the "king of cello," declared her "the only cellist of the younger generation that could equal and overtake [his] own achievement."

At age 16, she made her formal debut at Wigmore Hall, London in March 1961. She had her concerto debut at the Royal Festival Hall playing Elgar Cello Concerto with BBC Symphony Orchestra. In 1965, she became an international recognition when she recorded the Elgar Concerto for EMI with the London Symphony Orchestra. The critics considered that her recording was the "definitive recording of the Elgar concerto." Here's the link to the ingenious and divine Jacqueline's Elgar concerto that will give you goosebumps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5C99JyP2ns . By her exuberating performance, Rostropovich erased the Elgar concerto from his list.

While performing with the most prestigious orchestras and conductors, she met a Jewish genius pianist and conductor, Daniel Barenboim, on New Year's Eve 1966. They fell in love. After the Six-Day War ended, they flew to Jerusalem, Jacqueline converted to Judaism overnight, and were married on June 15th, 1967, at the Western Wall.

In 1971, she started losing feeling in her fingers and her arms. She was criticized because of her poor performance. She was so scared that she could not talk about it.  Her conditions worsened and ended her music career in February 1973 by performing the Elgar Concerto with Zubin Mehta. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by October 1973. It mercilessly took her away from her beloved cello, music, physical body, and her husband. She died on October 19th, 1987, at the age of forty two. She is buried in Golders Green Jewish Cemetery. She left us too early, eternally moving people in tears but will always be remembered.

My Bucketlist

"Every man dies, not every man really lives."

Last week, I finally got the chance to watch 'Braveheart,' the five Academy Award winning movie directed by Mel Gibson. The movie emphasizes how we should live our unique lives to the fullest. Even great men and women eventually die. But how did they define their lives’ fullest? One’s satisfaction of his or her life can never be defined since human beings are insatiable. You and I definitely have our own different desires and dreams. But our life spans are short and the time is limited. Many people ignore the cliché, “live as if you’ll die tomorrow." That cliché gives me goosebumps since death is unpredictable and sudden. What would you do if you’ll die tomorrow? Tomorrow? It’s so sudden! I would beg God to give me a second chance to live at least another day and fulfill my ‘to do’ list on this earth. Everyone has their dream ‘to do’ list therefore the life list or bucketlist help us throughout our dreams. Here is my happy bucket.

You are witnessing my life list journal.

As I have always dreamed, I'm going to live in the western Europe. This is the reason why I am taking AP European History. Ok? I love Europe! That means I have to master some European languages. I want take German classes again. I want to learn French, Spanish and Italian. I want to travel annually around EU. Before I graduate from high school, I want to go to Mozarteum Academy in Salzburg. I want to go to the Alps and other bordering countries around Austria. I've been dreaming for this-I want to make HOT European guy friends in the Mozarteum Music Academy or anywhere. I want to go to Vienna Boy's Choir concert. I would love to meet my favorite musicians (TVXQ, Yoyoma, Sarah Chang, Julian Lloyd Webber) and go to their concerts. Also I want to go to underwater restaurants in Europe.

Although I did not decide my major career yet, I did decide what I want to do with my 2nd career! How I wish I would be a director and an editor for Hollywood. I would love to see my friends in Hollywood in the future. You know who you are. Also I want to make romance movies like 'the Notebook.'  Oh! How exciting it will be working with hot actors like Zac Efron. I would love to meet Johnny Depp! It will be so awesome to have those people in my contacts. What a job it will be to go around beautiful places around the world and choose the settings! For my major career, I would like to get a PH.D. I want to learn more musical instruments such as piano, guitar, oboe and cello.

Finally it's here. I'm going to marry Xiah in the beautiful European cathedrals!! I want to live in my dream house or mansion with my family! Since I was little (in age), I have always wanted to go to Alaska and ride with the Siberian Husky sled dogs! I want to have a pack of Siberian Husky family so they can sleigh me. I want to have a baby tiger, baby polar bear, baby grizzly bear, baby lion, baby white tiger and a baby elephant. They are adorable! I want to master art to draw and paint beautiful sceneries, people and animals. I want to study photography as well. When I get old (older), I want to write a novel based on my life. I want to make a short film with my family annually and have a concert!

That was just the beginning.