My professional background is...

The title is of an short essay that I wrote in English class
to introduce myself briefly
It might be helpful when I do so in my host country GHANA
So, I'd like to upload

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I have a B.A. in International Politics and Economics.
The events of September 11th 2001 motivated me to pursue this degree.
Initially, my major was International Politics.
Moreover, economics also piqued my interest.

After receiving my degree, I began a career in finance.
I was an executive assistant for the Foreign Bonds Investment Team
for 3 years at a Japanese Investment Bank.
Financial markets are so dynamic and fascinating,
it’s like a living creature.
The financial crisis of 2008 was the busiest and most dynamic time
in my career.
I was a number cruncher, but gradually, I came to question
if this financial capitalism would work better with financial problems of the developing countries.

Finally, I decided to volunteer and became a JOCV to do what I can do now in the field of sustainable development in Ghana,
not the corporate world.

In summary, I studied International Politics and worked in finance.
Global issues always inspire me. I look forward to my 2 years in Ghana.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Damion, who is my English teacher in NTC, gave me a one special poem
when I had to return for a while because my grandfather passed away.
He read it in class, and I couldn't listen to it without tears.
It reminded me of my father rather than my grandfather.
The poem is famous in Japa as 'SEN NO KAZE NI NATTE'.
If you faced hardships or great grief,
please remember this poem
& it would help you someday.

From Mary Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

From Margaret

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.


She passed away on September 15, 2004, aged 98.
The following is the latest version that she never published or copyrighted the poem, which over the years became subject to small changes.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

My last B-Day

My B-day is on the 26th of December.

So, before coming to NTC,
(Nihonmatsu Training Center for JOCV)
I was celebrated by many friends at parties
together with a Christmas party,
farewell party,
and year-end party.

All of the parties were fablous memories.

On 26th Dec 2008,
I had dinner with my special friend
at Japanese-style restaurant in Aoyama.

And he told me his first abroad trip was to Kenya and JOCV had been his dream once.
We enjoyed tasty 'Kaiseki' cooking and talking about each others.

It was my latest & best B-day memory so far!

Family

It is a dairy with Damion, who is my teacher in NTC for JOCV.
Some topics are very personal things,
but I'd like to introduce some of them for someone who might be affected to.

Family Introduction

My mother is a widow, who is very strong & optimistic, and also likes valleyball.
I respect her. And I have 2 siblings.
One, my younger brother is studying to teach in elementary school,
who loves classical music & UK rock.
The other is a student in university, who is a volleyball player, too.
In addition to them, we welcomed a new cousin
because she goes to University in Tokyo, actually I graduated too!
So now, she lives with us.
And the most important person for my life is my father,
who passed away 3 years ago.
For 10 months he fought against his disease was very important quality time, I've ever had, sharing difficultiess and we know how strong our family bonds.
So, he always inspire me.