My Week in New York—Day Four
From left to right: Erin Morely performing “Chacun le sait”; Lawrence Brownlee singing “Ah, mes amis”; my web designer and social media expert Eric Hemedes Bass of Eric Bass Designs; me and my beloved cat, Jingorou.
Today was a combination of fun, business, and sadness. After practicing, my mother and I met Mr. Cosmo and Mr. Alexander at the Metropolitan Opera for a performance of Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment. This wonderful comic opera by Donizetti featured performances by Erin Morely as Marie, Lawrence Brownlee as Tonio, and the actress Sandra Oh played the speaking role of the Duchess of Krankenthorp.
Mr. Alexander and Mr. Cosmo were so kind, arranging seats in the second row of the orchestra! The opera was amazing. What's more, this opera was one I'd never seen before, and I was so happy to be so close, surrounded by such great music. I could see the conductor so well, even hear his breathing and humming. Watching him give the go-ahead to the orchestra, singers, and chorus, and seeing the singers fully immerse themselves in their roles while still following the conductor's signals and maintaining eye contact, was a truly treasured experience.
And then, Sandra Oh, from Grey's Anatomy, the American TV drama popular in Japan, was going to be appearing. Did she sing? No, she didn't, but just like her role as Dr. Cristina Yang, the ambitious surgeon she played in Grey's Anatomy, she talked a lot and made a big impact throughout the opera.
After the opera, I actually had a business meeting. I was really looking forward to meeting Eric Bass, the social media expert who also designed my website for the first time, He came all the way from Los Angeles. He has a wonderful, kind smile and soft voice! It really reflects his inner beauty. Of course, he had lots of ideas, and together with Mr. Alexander and Mr. Cosmo, we came up with even more new and wonderful ideas, and the planning for my New York concert this week went smoothly. My mother, Eric's partner, and I all had a very enjoyable and meaningful meeting with Mr. Cosmo and Mr. Alexander, followed by a wonderful dinner.
However, during dinner I received some very sad news. My beloved cat, Jingorou, had passed away. It was so sudden. On the morning I left Tokyo, he was happily roaming around at my feet, begging for snacks, as usual. He was a huge foodie, so he always needed delicious food like grilled chicken breast and fresh sashimi. He had a good appetite, and as an older cat, his legs were a little weak, but he was still in good health. I am grateful to my father for taking such good care of him until the end. He came to my house when I was four, around the same age I started playing the piano, and ever since then, he has always listened to my playing, played with me, and slept with me. I pray for him and send my utmost love to my best friend.
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