Tag: study

Shoshin, the beginner’s heart

After a long hiatus for Covid, I opened the tearoom last spring.  I did not teach any beginner classes for 2 and a half years while the tearoom was closed.  There were about 20 people on the waiting list and when I opened the new introduction to Chado class, it filled quickly.  Then I …

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Between lessons

I have recently begun okeiko again with Bonnie Mitchell-sensei via Zoom.  I am so grateful for the time and energy that she invests in every lesson.   It has been more than 18 years since I attended weekly okeiko.  After so many years on the teaching side, being a student again is humbling.  Yet every …

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For the long haul

The dictionary defines the long haul as a prolonged and difficult effort or task.  It also brings to mind carrying something for a long distance or time.

I am great at starting things: projects, cleaning, research, study.  When I started my Chado studies, I was hungry for lessons.  I wanted to know everything.  I …

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Starting again

As the world begins to open up again after Covid, activities that we used to enjoy can be intimidating to start again.  As I contemplate starting tea lessons in person again, I am thinking how can I ease the way for students who may be hesitant to come to class.  I will do my best …

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Tea Reflection

Guest Post by Andrew Nguy.  Andrew was in China on a Fulbright scholarship when Covid broke out. Andrew studied with me online through the Covid pandemic. He is now off to Yale for East Asian graduate studies.

One wintry morning as I roamed the halls of a temple in China’s historical southern capital, I received …

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