English Blog

Movie “As Good As It Gets” June 30, 2022

I watched this movie before, but the second time did not bore me at all. Actually I enjoyed it so much. It is a “good movie”.  Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) is an obsessive-compulsive writer of romantic fiction. But unlike what he writes, he is quite rude to everyone he meets, including his gay neighbor Simon […]

A Movie “Downton Abbey: New Era” (映画:ダウントンアビー) May 30, 2022

I have been resisting watching “Downton Abbey” because of its popularity. But I must admit I became a fan myself after watching “Downton Abbey: New Era”. Last week, I had a free afternoon and could not find any movie I would like to see, so I hesitantly chose this movie. The story has absolute ingredients, […]

2022 Ash Wednesday March 2, 2022

Today is Ash Wednesday and this is my reflection to the beginning of Lent. From Psalm 102 For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears.. Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all […]

A Movie “Drive My Car” January 31, 2022

Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story, Drive My Car depicts people who are devastated by loss, allowing time to ripen those wounds, and rebuilding their understanding of love and life’s reason. It is fascinating to hear from non-Japanese speaking audience who perfectly understands the atmosphere and nuances in this movie. That is the power of “Drive […]

Merry Christmas! December 24, 2021

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself. – Norman Wesley Brooks

Johannes Brahms Op. 117: Soul Searching… December 5, 2021

Yesterday my student played Brahms’ Op. 117 No. 2 at her lesson. It lit my longing heart. As you may have known, Brahms’ late works have been deep treasures for me for many years. Brahms composed his Op. 117 during the summer of 1892 while vacationing in Bad Ischl. He sent a copy of Op. […]

3rd@1st “Joy of Chamber Music Concert” on Sat. Nov. 20 at 4pm PT November 12, 2021

I am so excited to announce our second concert in 3rd@1st 2021-22 season. I hope you can join us at the concert! “The Joy of Chamber Music Concert” The Third at First concert series continues at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 4 p.m. with a program of chamber music performed […]

3rd@1st Concert Series: Reopening Celebration on Sat. Oct 16 at 7pm October 11, 2021

Our last in person concert was Feb. 2020, and we have released monthly online concerts during 2020-2021 season. Now we celebrate our reopening! Please come to join us at the concert in Pasadena, CA. If you don’t live in LA, you can still watch it online. We have been figuring out how we manage a […]

Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands by Fred Kaan September 26, 2021

Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it; protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it. Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation; be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation. Put peace into each other’s hands, like bread we break for sharing; […]

A Movie “ROADRUNNER: A Film About Anthony Bourdain” July 28, 2021

It is my movie theater debut after reopening (with a lot of cautions). It is so wonderful to come back to my favorite movie theater, Laemmle. There were only 4 of us in the theater… The theater staff was very careful, but friendly. “Roadrunner” is still haunting me. What is “Being Happy”? That is all […]