10/01/2004

North Carolina Symphony

 

Za Setsu Kin Shi

 

“Za Setsu Kin Shi” is Japanese for “Giving Up is Prohibited!” I extend my thanks my Japanese friend, Megumi Takayama, whom I knew in UNC-CH for teaching me this phrase. There are times, when my spirits sunk a little low and I am glad that I have found reasons to carry on in words. As Michael Ondaatje writes, “Words have a power.”

I know I had missed the Tuesday update again, for some reason, Mondays are tend to be the busiest day for me and one of freest day happen to be Wednesday, and it is on Wednesday when I start rushing through all the colouring to make in time for the Friday update! Anyway, enjoy the return of Junko and Machiko. If you happen to forget who they are, don’t hesitate to click here.

Anyway, last week, I attended my first Symphony performance in North Carolina, courtesy of Alwyn’s friend Giles. Alwyn, happens to be from the National University of Singapore as well and he’s not only an extremely cool guy, but also an outstanding sociology major as well. His friend, Giles, is a legislative lawyer at North Carolina and currently resides in Raleigh. He managed to get 4 tickets for us (Alwyn, Winston, Su Li and I) to attend the opening symphony at Meymandi Hall.

Before we went for the symphony, Giles had graciously treated us to dinner at a prestigious Asian restaurant oddly named “Duck and Dumplings.” From its name it is not hard to guess that the specialty of the restaurant is duck dumplings, or gyoza. The food was great and it serves the best Fried rice I tasted so far in NC State. I felt terribly bad that Giles is paying for everything…

The symphony was great and it had been so long since I attended such a satisfying symphony. Champagne was served free, during the short interval, something we will never get in our Victoria Concert Hall.

The symphony ended with a bang, and Giles, the already very gracious host went beyond all hospitality, brought us to Krispy Kremes ( A Doughnut joint) for desserts. For the first time I tasted HOT doughnuts. When they were hot, they were so very soft that it literally melted in our mouths! This had gotta be one of the most enjoyable night out in Raleigh! Thanks Giles!

 

Wataru

 

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