I wanted to give a belated thank you to everyone who helped with the Water Lantern Festival. I'm glad everyone was able to enjoy it. Congratulations to all the cast and crew of the play as well. It was very fun to watch.

The mural in the student lounge is almost finished. There are just a few more details to add, but it should not impede anyone from using the space. I hope the painting will help the atmosphere of the room.

Exams are upon us. If anyone needs any help, please do not hesitate to talk to me. Let's get through this time with as little stress as possible.

[Private to Tsukiyomi]

I've set up a canvas and paints at one end of the common room. Please feel free to use it to relax and get out any stress. Please note that the paints have been charmed to work only on that canvas, so don't try painting any other surface with them. Also, I will be keeping the common room supplied with juices and snacks for studying, so please feel free to have some as you work.

Current Mood: working

( Private to Teru-san )

( Private to Taka-kun )

If anyone is interested in helping make lanterns for the Water Lantern Festival this weekend, please yet me know. I will show you what to do. Thank you. I think this will be a great celebration and a good way for us to experience some of the culture of China.

Current Mood: creative

( Private to Jing-kun )

( Private to RAs )

There is something so serene about the snow. Especially at night. It really feels as thought the world has gone to sleep, and the snow is the blanket pulled up to keep it warm.

I'll have to work extra hard on my Charms work this week. The containment charms don't come easily to me. The idea of being restrained makes me uncomfortable, and I really don't like doing it, even to a beetle. I suppose it's something I should know, however. I'm really enjoying the art chapter in Muggle Studies, however. I know that magic can enhance a painting, but it is truly amazing to see what effects can be made by artists who have only raw materials and their love of the medium to work with. It's very inspiring.

Oh, and this week in Art Club, we will exploring origami. One member suggested we work together to make 1,000 cranes for the power of a wish. Of course, if you would prefer to work on singular projects, there are many amazing things you can do with paper alone.

Current Mood: busy

[...]

( Private to Tachi )

( Private to the Art Club )

I would like to let everyone know that the Art Club will be holding another silent auction for Alumni Weekend, so please look forward to the many wonderful pieces that will be put forth by the club members.

And as far as the latest news, perhaps I am in the minority, but I am very proud of Prime Minister Ariake. He is right to be upset and passionate about this issue. It concerns the fair treatment of a majority of his citizens. I am relieved to know that the prime minister is wise enough to understand that this loyalty oath is a resurfacing of prejudices. I would much rather have a leader who fights passionately for his people than one who keeps face but does nothing.

I would just like to let everyone know that I will taking up the RA position left open by Ishii Akiko. Choi-sensei has appointed me, and I will do my best for the remainder of this year to help and support the students of Genkan Gakuen. Please do not hesitate to speak to me if ever you are in need of aid. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

( Private to Tsukiyomi )

( Private to the RAs )

( Private to the Art Club )

Current Mood: determined

The haunted house has really turned out well. I think everyone will have a really good time. My thanks go out to the class leaders; I really appreciate your efforts to put together something like this for the students.

I suppose I should figure out a costume...

( Private to Tengfei-san )

( Private to Tachi )

( Private to Jing-kun )

Current Mood: confused

( Private to Tachi - Scratched Out )

( Private to Jing-kun - Scratched Out )

( Private to Self )

I think the beginning work with mosaics in Art Club last week showed a lot of promise. We will continue working on them tomorrow. If members have any questions about the technique, please let me know.

I hope everyone is managing to have a good week, even with all the trouble that has been going on. People should treat each other with more respect, that much is certain.

[...]

Still, there are people out there who give without asking for recognition. My thanks goes out to them.

Current Mood: touched

Congratulations to Amaterasu for winning Sports Day. It was nice to see evryone do their best and have fun. I hope everyone had a good time at Tsukimi as well. I will miss the Tsukiyomi party next year, I think.

I've been feeling a bit distracted lately and have gotten a bit behind on my homework. I just can't seem to focus. The school year is going by so quickly, and it's so strange that Aki-chan isn't here anymore. I'm sure I'll get back on course soon.

[Private to the Art Club]

I thought we might do some mosaic work in the next coming weeks. What do you all think?

[Private to Tachi]

I know you're spending a lot of time with Misato-san, but if you're not too busy this week, do you want to hang out?

Current Mood: melancholy

[Private to Jing-kun]

[...]

Was that also a surprise to you, Jing-kun?

Current Mood: confused

It’s somehow comforting to be back at school. The start of a new term is always refreshing, since we have no immediate worries about tests. Everyone is so happy and recharged from the long break as well. It was truly a wonderful holiday, but I’m glad to be with everybody again. After spending so many years here, it does feel a bit like coming home. Good luck to everyone for this term.

( Private to the Art Club )

( Private to Jing-kun )

Current Mood: calm

I've been very lucky to do some traveling during this holiday. We go back to school soon, but there was time for one last trip. I am in Nagasaki now. It's not the first time I've visited, but I am always struck by how beautiful and serene it is.

We went to the Peace Park today. The statue of the philospher in the center is such a moving piece. He seems so strong and so vulnerable at the same time. To balance vulnerability with power is a difficult task, I imagine. If only people could remember how beautiful that openness can be, and not take advantage of it when they see it. It'd be a more peaceful world, I think.

I spent a long time looking at the paper cranes. I always get a very warm feeling whenever I see them. They're so simple, and yet they carry so many hopes and wishes. My wish is for all of the wishes the cranes hold to come true. All the time and effort put into making them must have been for something special.

I'm looking forward to coming back to school. I miss being around everyone and the energy all the students create. It will be nice to get back.

Current Mood: thoughtful

I can hardly believe it myself, but I'm in America right now. Aki-chan invited Tachi and me to join her for a few days. By the way, today is her birthday, so please wish her well. I haven't quite gotten used to the time change, so I am awake much earlier than normal for me. Aki-chan's grandparents have been really wonderful so far. It's so interesting to be in American home. My heart has hardly slowed, I'm so excited to be here. Hopefully I'll be able to sketch some of this city so I can keep a part of it forever.

I'll try and update again soon and share some of the wonderful things we're doing. If anyone would like something from America, please tell me, and I will do my best to get it. It might just be small, I'm sorry about that.

I'm very worried about the happenings in Japan, even though I am away from it at the moment. That the Loyalty Oath is making such headway is very troubling. I wonder how it is dealt with here in America. Maybe we could get some ideas on how to move towards trust and equality, and away from blatant discrimination based on old prejudices. If anyone hears any new news while I'm away, please let me know.

( Private to Jing-kun )

( Private to Aki-chan )

Current Mood: excited

Jing-kun, Ryu-kun, thank you again for the beach party. It was really a lot of fun.

I'm afraid my holiday hasn't been very noteworthy thus far. While it's been nice having time to catch up with my grandparents, it's too easy to fall into a familiar pattern of being home. I have gotten plenty of time to work on elaborations of the sketching I did on the beach, however. There's a particularly nice scene of everyone around the bonfire one night; hopefully I can make a worthwhile painting from it.

I've started looking around Fukuoka for jobs as well. I know there are still a few months before graduation, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to make some contacts. The problem is, I don't really know what kind of work I'd like to do. Traditionally my family has simply taken up work at the grocery, but I don't think that option will be open to me. Jiji has suggested going to work on the farm with some of our extended family, but I would prefer to stay in the city if I can manage it. There is a cafe that I go to sometimes down the street, and I'm pretty friendly with the owner. I think she would probably hire me if I asked. It serves mainly Muggles, but as it's just a waiting job, I don't think anyone would ask too many questions.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday so far. From what I can tell, it looks like there's a lot of fun being had.

Current Mood: thoughtful

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped Tachi with his project. It was truly wonderful, and I appreciate all of you very much.

The long break always makes me a bit lonely, although I like to hear about everyone's plans. I'm very happy to have this beach party to go to. I'm not a very good swimmer, but I have always enjoyed the ocean. It so wild and powerful and pristine. I should work on my oceanc landscapes. Perhaps that is what I'll do for this break. I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday.

Current Mood: loved

I'm really enjoying learning more about inlaid enchantments in Transfiguration. While I don't often use them in my paintings, perhaps it is because I didn't have a proper understanding. There certainly is something amazing about making art come to life, although I wonder if it isn't somehow more profound to let the observer make it come alive in their own way, by the way they interpret it. I know Baba prefers to leave art to its own inherent magic, but I have seen some very enchanting paintings that have been, well, enchanted. It's very hard to decide which method I prefer.

( Private to Jing-kun and Ryu-kun )



( Private to the Art Club )

Current Mood: thoughtful

I would like to apologize for any chaos I helped create these past few days. I'm sure it was very trying on those of you who had to deal with it. I'd also like to apologize for all the damage I caused. I intend to help fix things. Again, I am very, very sorry.

Kaede-sensei wants to keep us under observation this morning, so if someone could let me look at their Charms notes later, I would appreciate it.

[Private to Taka-kun]

I'd like to especially apologize to you, Taka-kun. I'm sorry I insisted on your involvement. Those ofuda... they didn't actually do anything, did they?

Despite our best efforts, the yokai seem to be increasing. I tried to attend classes yesterday, but now there is no point. I have to put all my energy into protecting the school. Please, everyone, stay as safe as possible. From what I can tell, the wards on Tsukiyomi are holding strong. If there are not wards on your own dormitory, please go to the Tsukiyomi common room. You will be safe there.

I understand that most of you do not believe what you cannot see, but I beg you, for your own safety, please take precautions.

[Private to Tachi, Aki-chan, Hitoshi-san, Jiao-san]

How are you holding up? Have there been any major attacks today? I was surrounded in the Inari courtyard earlier today, but luckily the ofuda I received from Taka-kun were very effective. I think we should regroup and decide the best way to deal with this threat. Our individual efforts aren't working fast enough.

Current Mood: worried

Has anyone else been attacked this morning? That yokai was truly awful. It jumped out at me as soon as got out of bed. Luckily my wand was close at hand and that I remembered one of the hexes we learned in DADA. I'm afraid I might have made all my pillows explode with the spell, but at least the yokai was destroyed. Is everyone else okay? Tachi? Aki-chan? Jing-kun? Yoshi-kun? Everyone? Taka-kun, have you warded the Tsukiyomi common room, because I haven't seen any in there just yet...

Current Mood: scared

It seems like everyone is really looking forward to Tanabata. I am too. It's always fun to make wishes, and I love watching the fireworks. I think this will be a particularly nice Tanabata. Summer festivals are always the best, in my opinion.

In preparation for the festival, I thought I'd hold a special Art Club meeting tomorrow. We'll be painting uchiwa to use at the matsuri on Monday. They aren't to sell; just something for yourself or someone you care about. I realize this is last minute, so it's okay if you can't make it. Also, if you are not a member of the Art Club but would like to make an uchiwa, you're more than welcome to come. I think there are plenty of materials. The meeting will start at 1pm, and I hope to see many of you there.

That reminds me, I should probably get my yukata ready.

Current Mood: content