Beginner's Mind, Part 7

by Aria von Elbe

July 19, 2004

Konnichiwa, genki desu ka? Ever since I found kids at Japanese camp who actually play go and who are willing to learn I've been in heaven. I don't think I've stopped talking about go since last week. I finally got around to signing up for the Go Congress, decided that my final camp presentation will definitely be on go, and now my cabin mate is ready to strangle me for not having enough time to teach her more about life and death. Honestly, I'm just floating on Cloud 9 out here in the middle of nowhere.

Having go as my final presentation gives me an excuse to read about go during class, and I've borrowed all the books the library owns that even mention the game though The Game of Go by Arthur Smith from 1908 seems to be about the best they can do. Even the dean of the camp now knows about my addiction but I don't think my suggestion about having a go club in which all the counselor would have to do is sit there was taken as seriously as I would have wished, but who knows, maybe I'm about to become Tsutsui all over again. Not that that would be so bad. Go Club Pioneers of the World UNITE!

Anyways, I think all this pent up energy is from being forced to wait another endless week for the Congress. It's going to fabulous. I'll get to see the people I met in Seattle again, not to mention hear some commentary that I might actually understand a little bit now. I might have some slight trouble keeping up. But that doesn't matter! Only a week. Only a week. I swear, that's going to become my mantra for meditation in Aikido Club. See you all in Rochester!

-16-year-old Aria von Elbe

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