Norwegian Wood

With my decision to start reading for fun, I decided to dive into the work of Haruki Murakami. The first book in my plan was Norwegian Wood. Unlike most of Murakami's other works, Norwegian Wood lacks any magical realism, and instead follows the experiences of a young man. Though he is thirty-seven in "the present", the story mostly follows his life during and a little after his college days in the sixties. As with all of Haruki Murakami's writing, Norwegian Wood is incredibly thoughtful, and though slow at times, creates a rich story.

In place of a dynamic plot full of action and twists, Murakami builds complex and varied characters. The lives of these characters don't feel dynamic, but rather live their lives at the same pace of most people. The humanity in Norwegian Wood was really something that I appreciated. Nothing about the book was glamorous in the least. Though these were all qualities I enjoyed, the story is definitely not for some people. There are also frequent sex conversations and acts, as well as numerous suicides.

I would definitely recommend Norwegian Wood to someone who enjoys coming-of-age stories and reflective novels. It's really a great work.

-Spoilers below- 


Though I wish to avoid summarizing the plot, I can't help but share my interpretation on the ending for anyone who has also read the book. When I first finished the last few paragraphs, I was hella confused. The story went from sex with the roommate of suddenly-deceased Naoko to a scene in a telephone booth when Wantanabe calls a confused Midori. 

"At last, Midori's quiet voice broke the silence: 'Where are you now?'

Where was I now?

Gripping the receiver, I raised my head and turned to see what lay beyond the telephone booth. Where was I now. I had no idea. No idea at all. Where was this place? All that flashed into my eyes were the countless shapes of people walking by nowhere. Again and again, I called out for Midori from the dead center of this place that was no place.?

Murakami's attempt at creating an open ending was definitely successful. Immediately after finishing the last paragraph, I went online to search for interpretations. My interpretation is that after Naoko's death Wanatanbe continues the traveling that he had begun after he heard of her end. We, as readers, know that he has moved around a lot since. He backpacks throughout Japan, and there's also the scene at the West coast where he has a realization about Hatsumi. I believe that the last section actually follows the beginning, where Wantanabe is in the airplane and stumbles upon his memories with an overwhelming emotional and physical reaction. Many many years after Naoko is gone, he realizes that he doesn't want to lose Midori, or himself. 

 

Reading for Fun

In my freshman year, I took AP Art History, and continued with AP classes in each year of high school. The large amounts of homework and night textbook readings soaked up almost all of my free time and effectively slaughtered my interest in reading. Before, I used to either read a book a day, or embark upon massive novels a week each. Reading was a major hobby of mine, and I often read instead of slept. I was a very strong reader that flipped pages quickly and had an active imagination. Unfortunately, my reading shifted mainly to textbooks with the coming of high school. Sure, I can read textbooks fine and get a lot of information, but when I would try to read a book for my own personal enjoyment, I could not longer effectively follow the plot or feel the author's intended impact.

Recently though, I've decided to pick up reading as a hobby again. Honestly, compared to the skill that was there before, I suck. My focus floats and the pace is much slower than before because I often have to go back to absorb all the written details. Hopefully I can rebuild the skill with lots of practice and determination. Right now I've decided to focus on Haruki Murakami's books because I enjoy his topics and style, plus I can organize my the order of books I read by the varying complexities.

I just want to encourage anyone that enjoys reading to keep dedicating time to immerse yourself in words because the skill does go away if it's not exercised.

Quit doing these things to people of multicultural heritage (seriously)

My mother is a Filipina and my father is a half-Italian American. Growing up half Southeast Asian and half (mostly) Caucasian was and continues to be incredibly confusing. I know for a fact that not all, but several other mixed individuals have felt conflict in the area of cultural identity. There are definitely a group of those who fortunately don't have to experience these things, but I'd say a large number do. Interracial relations have grown increasingly more welcomed and accepted socially, but people still say some things that are offensive, whether intentional or not. I'd just like to share a few examples.

Stop pressuring mixed people to choose a "side".
This one is so common. One thing that drives me crazy is how people stubbornly see in black and white, and this thinking most definitely applies to how they view racial/cultural identity. This may be a shocker, but more than one ethnic background can coexist in a person, I promise. Yes, it is not impossible. Don't ask someone "So are you _______ or _______?" They may identify with one more than the other, but for heaven's sake, they. can. be. both.

Stop invalidating how they identify(!!)
Oh boy, this one comes back stubbornly, much like herpes. I'll just use my background as an example for this next piece. If I say something reflective of my Asian background, don't say "but aren't you white too?" In a circumstance where I tell you about negative experiences I've experience as someone who is Asian, don't reply with "but you're also white". I mean really, how is that relevant? If what you're going to say starts with "But aren't you....", just don't say it. Save everyone's time. Also saying "You don't look _________" when someone tells you what they are is rude. First of all, people of the mentioned race/cultural background will not all look the same. Secondly, someone will look like the identity they've stated because that are that identity.

Don't treat multicultural people as some sort of "other"
A common struggle for mixed people is a heavy lack of belonging because we often just don't quite fit in. "You're too _____ to be _______" is not an uncommon phrase. Individuals tend to feel out of place in any of the cultural groups of their heritage, regardless of how they identify. Another dehumanizing piece is fetishization and objectification. Especially with mixed women, people will consider them exotic and fetishize the heck out of them. Also, there's this recent obsession with having mixed kids, which on the surface sounds positive, but 100% makes several mixed people including myself uncomfortable. The fascination with multicultural people and children causes further alienation.

In Times of Nostalgia

Perhaps I am too young to feel this way, but sometimes there are waves of nostalgia that wash over me, dousing all of my being. I'm only sixteen years old, but a mere two years ago feels like another life. Responsibilities are delivered with time, and the sweet innocent rose tint of the world begins to caramelize, threatening to burn. I feel nostalgic most when the seasons change. The transitions remind me of change, but the yearly repetition brings forth the past.

Nostalgia is a weird sensation. Sometimes it's heavy and dark, but other times, it's comforting.
I'll find my heart ache over easier times, or lost friendships. Sometimes it's warm and I feel a sense of pride when reflecting on my development and growth. Overall it's just very complex.

Sometimes I just take time to reminisce. This involves silent isolation where I can retreat into my head, reliving feelings and rebuilding environments. Other times, I look back at old pictures and listen to old songs. The best actions in moments of nostalgia are when it's shared. Whether it's over coffee or at home, to reflect on past times with friends is such an intimate and relieving thing. It's something that brings friends closer and affirms that there is still care.

Viewing old times has also made it apparent to me that memories aren't big events or dramatic happenings, but rather small happenings. In Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood, the protagonist Toru says "Memory is a funny thing. When I was in the scene, I hardly paid it any mind. I never stopped to think of it as something that would make a lasting impression, certainly never imagined that eighteen years later I would recall it in such detail." This thought is important, because I know that I often feel like my life has become nothing but insignificant actions. When that happens, I flee to times when I was younger. The thing is, realistically thinking, these times were not any more phenomenal in context.

Pros of Winter Photography (will add photos later)

I am simply a summer person. When I was new to photography, the winter period presented little productivity. In fact, I can only recall two memorable instances of me going out and taking pictures (compared to my usual weekly/biweekly outing). The white uniformity outside and cold temperatures left me uninspired and discouraged. 

This year, I held a portrait shoot with the coming of the first snow and it was just lovely. Though I still prefer summer and fall shooting, there are distinct pluses to winter photos. 

1) The white snow acts as a natural reflector to sunlight. The light bounced off of snow casts a bright glow on your model's face. The more common overcast days are also a pro, with softer and more even lighting. 

2) Snow acts as a seasonally unique prop. It can be thrown for cute and quirky shots. When it snows, there's also an added atmospheric element, contributing to mood. In either instance snow adds movement and interest to a scene.

3) Sunrises come later. Sunrise and sunset are ideal shooting hours due to the diffusion of rich soft light. I'm all for waking up with the sun, and occasionally do a sunrise shoot, but especially in the summer, it's just so incredibly early (5am!). In the winter, however, the sun is just as lazy as you, and rises at a reasonable time. 

4) The barren trees and snow allow for a fairly blank canvas. With a less distracting background, your foreground garners extra focus. Having a lack of colors also causes more saturated tones to dramatically increase in vibrancy. This is especially useful for color play. 

5) Freezing outside preps you and your subject for relaxing hot cocoa afterwards. After I finish shooting, I chill with my model and go through the resulting pictures together. I must admit that it's best in the winter when there is heating, fuzzy socks, blankets, and hot cocoa. The harsh cold just makes the warmth even more relaxing.

Idealism // Realism (very short and simplified post)

I've always been someone idealistic by nature, but somehow sometimes a very cynical individual. Idealism is most lethal when regarding people. Yes, you can see something wonderful that everyone possesses. You can find beauties in the human condition and lack weighty negativity toward others. But it leads you back to people that wound you. When you idealize people, they can neglect you or spite you, but at the newest bit of friendliness, they're a great person again. Clearly this is unhealthy and problematic, so I struggled to balance reality and rosy vision.

All humans have good somewhere in them, but this does not make everyone a good person.

This is my conclusion that emerged a few days ago. Things are almost never in black and white. There is always going to be the gray space. People are not all good or all bad. Though it's magnificent to view the positive traits of people, sometimes you have to be realistic and acknowledge the faults, lack of regard, and hurtful tendencies that some people are saturated with.

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover: Mark Rothko

Though he refused to be attached to any specific labels, Mark Rothko is considered an iconic artist in the Color field genre and regarded as an Abstract Expressionist. Rothko was of Russian Jewish descent and emigrated to the United States of America in his youth.

I saw my first Rothko painting in my A.P. Art History textbook during the spring of my freshman year in '14. The first thoughts in my mind were I could easily do that and Why is that so famous? Of course, I learned the significance of the radical abstract art movements, and though I was impressed by the act itself, Rothko's art just didn't interest me at all. 

Later that year, I had to teach my class about three different artists (Rothko was one of them). Mark Rothko lived a tough life and struggled with looming depression. (I would encourage you to read about it if you enjoy biographies. Really a rich story.) After this, I was very very intrigued by him as a person, but still just wasn't into his art. 

Late April included an APAH and AP Studio Art day trip to Chicago to visit the Art Institute of Chicago, see the Blue Man Group (because performance art, of course), and spend some time downtown. Before anything, I'd like to share that seeing works in person is comparable to seeing some amazing musicians live in concert; viewing art online or on paper is a different experience than seeing the original in person. I was just walking through the floor when I turned the corner and saw it. I can't remember exactly which piece it was, but there were hues of cool blue and gray. The canvas was fairly large and the piece just sucked you in. It created an atmosphere, like storm clouds swirling around you. Any prior judgments disappeared right there, right then. When viewing it, I felt despair, emptiness, confusion.The painting did not capture a scene, but rather externalized emotion on a canvas, exactly how Rothko intended. He once said:

“I'm not an abstractionist. I'm not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I'm interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on.” 

I'd say he was always successful in doing so.