Melt Down.

This post is short. Why? Because I could barely even pull myself together for the day to take a photo. 

Well...the day didn't start out all that bad. In fact, this breakfast was awesome! Look at that piece of grilled fish! My fav. 

I'm not quite sure what it was today, but my conjecture is a combination of: my continual lack of sleep, the incredible heat, the increased amount of homework paired with my increased sense of confusion with the new material, and the looming midterm on Thursday. Put that all together and the result is...ME. As Shibata sensei would say when we get an answer wrong..."BOOOON." Fail. 

After school, we had a mandatory visit to the Suzuki Daisetsu museum. Suzuki Daisetsu was a famed Buddhist philosopher who introduced Japanese Zen culture widely overseas. The museum itself was beautiful. However, before we could go to the museum, we first went to the International Exchange Salon to sit 50 plus people in a small, hot room for an hour to listen to a powerpoint presentation on Suzuki Daisetsu. I wish I was in a better state to listen and appreciate the talk. But I think the heat caused me a case of dehydration and overheating, because I could barely sit straight. 

Once the talk was complete, we walked over to the museum. By that point, I was just darn lethargic. And losing my mind a bit. From the picture, you can probably tell that I can't even stand straight. I could also barely hold together a smile without breaking out into hysterical laughter. Smile?!

Though I have to admit...I wasn't the only one driving the struggle boat that day. Broido's face sums it up quite well. By the amount of people finding refuge inside inside the building, sitting on the benches, I'd say we were all close to a melt down, literally and figuratively. 

The sight of the reflection pool did bring me back to my center a little bit. It reminded me of the Woody Woo fountain at Princeton. I love that fountain, so it brought me some happiness. 

The museum was designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, who is well-known for the redesign of MOMA in New York. The reflecting pool, known as the Contemplative space, is accompanied by two other spaces: the Knowledge Space (the small exhibition about Suzuki) and the Learning Space (a library and modern interpretation of a Japanese style room). Together, the three spaces reflect the Zen Buddhist philosophy and Suzuki's work. 

The museum was actually an amazing space. As much as the inner kid inside of me was whining and screaming, I was glad I got to see the museum. The interplays between the finite and infinite, the perfect and imperfect, were beautiful. 

If only I could have actually used my brain. The most I could do was pose for this semi-contemplative photo. We thought it was the appropriate thing to do at a philosophy museum. 

By the time we got back to Rifare, it was already 4 pm. Although I hadn't started my homework, I couldn't be inside. By the time my head was spinning, I finally realized I was actually dehydrated. So, I peaced out of Rifare, bought myself some strange vitamin electrolyte drink called 

GREEN. DA. KA. RA. It had all this stuff in it that was supposed to be good for you, so I just chugged it. After a little rehydration, I was much better off. 

Dinner time also gave me some much needed power for the rest of the night. Roasted chicken and vegetables with onion soup and rice. 

Phew! I made it through the day. I was unsure for a bit...but I got my homework and studying done without passing out, so I guess I shall be thankful. Ganbarimashou. Itsumo.