Since we started to get required to wear masks, it became difficult to communicate each other smoothly.
I explained something to someone. The person could not hear what I said through the mask. Then, the person was talking something to the details. I could not understand half of that. These days, I found my voice getting louder and louder. Sometimes, I was yelling loud to communicate something clearly to people. Then, the person got surprised with my loud voice and so did I! This has been very frustrating. I could not imagine how stressful those working at supermarkets and stores were to deal with at first. They had to adjust to a new way by serving customers behind of big transparent glasses and wearing masks all day long being inside of the building! It has been stressing for me, a customer, as well. The shopping has not been a fun thing any more. However, there has been a change happening as well. Recently more people in the store got smiley eyes, give warm and cheerful words to us, and make us comfortable. At the supermarket, one lady at the cashier, looked at my eyes with a smiley face (I could tell even with masks) through the glass, saying “Have a good day!” I felt, “Wow!” That reminded me of a story by a flight attendant working for the first class passengers of one of the big air companies. She said the impressive customers at the first class had some elements that impressed her deeply. One of the thing is that they looked at the flight attendants’ eyes clearly when saying “thank you” to her. Eye to eye contacts seem to be a very important in the service. Also if it comes from the customer sides, it seems to give a very rewarding feeling to the workers, make them happy, and maybe motivate them for developing their service better. It also said Japanese passengers are more likely to be shy. When they did not need any items to purchase in the plane, they just avoided the eye contacts with the attendants. However, foreigners tended to look at their eyes with smile, and said “No thank you!” clearly when they did not need. She said she felt more comfortable, if they declined, when they looked to their eyes with smile than when passengers avoided eye contacts. It really depends on each situation and condition. However, communication and body languages are very interesting and deep to explore. Under this pandemic time, we can develop our new style communication. Maybe we can develop our new body languages as well. What a beautiful and powerful music!
Below is “Shimanchu nu Takara” ("Treasure of the Islanders") by “Begin”, Okinawa-based band. https://youtu.be/7iZ4-4EYNnk “How much do I know about the sky of this island where I was born? How much do I know about the ocean of this island where I was born?” I was driving in this Island, Hawaii, by listening to this music, and some strong and warm feelings came up from the bottom and filled my heart. How much do I know about this Hawaii Island? How much do I know the language of Hawaii? How much do I know the vocabularies how people in Hawaii have been expressing about the beauty of nature, flower, lives in the ocean, the plants and all those delicacies? This music motivated me deeply to keep learning about this amazing islands, that have been embracing me, healing me, energizing me, and keep giving me inspiration. Because of high number increase of corona cases in Oahu, Hawaii interisland’s travelers are required to have 2 weeks quarantine again. I think it will take a while for us to recover from this pandemic situation. Hawaii needs to think about our new normal and new way of thriving. I have been meeting various amazing people who are thinking about this island and our communities. Again I had a good conversation with one of local persons at the coffee shop today. We agreed that Hawaii needs to seek for alternative way of industry, which is unique and the best for Hawaii. We have depended on tourism too much. We still expect tourism to come back as one of the main industry, but it should not be the only one. Self sufficiency, survival, and diversified industry are the key. Hawaii can be self sufficiency for its resources, beautiful nature, wildness, water and energy as long as people here love and respect this land. I have an impression that nature in Hawaii has been getting back its original power. Ocean seems to be cleaner. Abundant resources might have been thriving. Some people was laid off or got released from their work. So they started full-fledged gardening at their yard. They plant and grow all kinds of vegetables and fruits. They might have been getting more healthier than before by gardening and eating fresh and nutricous food from their own yard! There are many wild chickens and goats everywhere in this island. Many people are good at fishing. People grow coffee here a lot! Our late Hanai Dad, who had 100% pure Hawaiian blood, had wide and deep knowledge on how to live off the land. Our Dad knew how to farm, how to fish, how to hunt pigs and other animals, how to make food, and how to build houses including efficient modern types of houses. I remember one night he was telling me a story how to voyage and how to communicate with others in the ocean. He was full of wisdom. Many people learnt from him. Also many Hawaiians and local people know how to live off Aina. I think the government leaders need to focus on survival, securities, and basic needs for people in this island as well as alternative way of livings. We need to diversify our source of livelihood. People need food, water, energy, shelter and clothes. We need securities and safety and peaceful neighborhood. The other day, I did mail-in voting here in Hawaii.
There have been lots of discussion and concerns to apply this mail-in system in many states for this year’s election. I have heard Hawaii has been used to this system, so this state may be able to handle well without worrying about voting fraud. However, when thinking about applying nationwide, I wonder how well and precise this system really reflect people’s selection for candidates. I read profiles of candidates for the county mayor, US House member from our district, OHA trustee of board, and prosecuting attorney. Lots of reading! This really helps me to understand and know what is going on this community. I have tried to select people who are not running for the office for their own sake or their money, but who are ready to serve people and community by using their experiences and skills with honesty and transparency. Last week, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to interpret for the election expert. That was a VERY informative and important talk. To prepare for this interview talk, I have studied a lot about US election. Still, I feel I just glanced the entrance of this complicated and huge US election world. To make our society better and thrive, we citizens need to be informed, concerned, get interested and have clear eyes to choose those who will work for us and who are really qualified to be a leader for our communities. I am still nervous in driving.
It may take another 6 months or more for me to be really relaxing and comfortable on driving. I will keep driving and trying to be a better driver. Music really helps me to relax. It helps me to focus on driving without being overwhelmed by fear. I am downloading my favorite music on my smart phone one after another. I have been listening to so many music pieces. Last 6 months I have been listening to all kinds of music in many numbers in a limited time. Today I was ejoying the music, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams in the car. Then, somehow the youtube led to another video that I had not downloaded. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin started to play in my car. This is a very old song. This remined me of the time when I was a student and having a fun time in Canada long time ago. One of my friends kept singing this music by dancing. At that time, I did not care about lyrics much. I had an impresson, “what a light- hearted happy melody and words!” However, today, the music kept playing for me in a car again and again, and I could really hear the lyrics. As I kept listening, I thought, “Wow, this is deep”. I was impressed when I started to hear the part below. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But don't worry, be happy 'Cause when you worry your face will frown And that will bring everybody down So don't worry, be happy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This pandemic is one of the hardest time for everyone. We all have enough already. If we see sad faces or dark facial expressons around us, we do not want to be too close to them. However, when we see people who try to ignite some bright energy by themselves and expand those positive lights around them, I feel like, “I have to do something to brighten the community and society!” This song is telling us our smile and mind status will affect us, people around us, and our fate even, I thought. When I reached the town today, I heard young people’s cheerful voice and laughtes. They were working for gardening in the parking area for the shopping center. They were laughing and cheering while working. I felt happy. The other day, I had a stressful morning. I was walking in a small shopping area with my grouchy face. Then, one lady was looking at me with a big, bright and beautiful smile! That woke me up. She reminded me of the power of smile! |
Author
An Interpreter for JCU Archives
April 2021
|