BOOTIE OF THE WEEK: Masayo
Name: まさよ/ Masayo
Age: ３０＋？歳/ 30+something
Hula Career: ３年（半年ぐらいブランク有り）/ 3 years
Other dances? 何もありません。学生の頃はずっと美術部でした。
Never. I used to be active in art club in my school days.
Color: 絶対ピンクです！３枚の手持ちのパウのうち、２枚はピンクです。
Absolutely Pink! I have three Pau and two of them are pink.
Food:甘いもの。なかなかやめられません...
Sweets. It is not easy to quit eating them...
Drink: ココア/ hot chocolate
Married? Single?; 独身です！恋人募集中です（笑）
Siingle! I am looking for a boyfreind(^^;)
Fav Hula: Kauanoeanuhea, Ke Alaula, Hawaian Lullaby, Poliahu, Lei Halia, Road That Never Ends, Lei Pikake, Ku'u ipo ika he'e pue one
How did you start dancing hula?/ How did you find hulabootie? カイマナのワークショップに参加したのが、私にとっては初めてのフラで、とても楽しかったので続けたいと思いました。
To join Kainama's work shop was very first time for me and it was really fun and I wanted to continue.
Masayo THEN
Masayo NOW
Why do you like hula?: 私はずっと美術部でもともと絵を描いたり物を創ったりが大好きでしたが、フラを始めて 「身体で表現する」ということがとても新鮮で、スポーツをしたことがない私 でも気軽に楽しめ、とても楽しいです。 また、大江戸のようなフェスティバルに参加することで、ひとりではなく皆で 何かをする、また 作り上げる楽しさも知りました。
As I mentioned before, I like drawing and making things-- and Hula taught me that `I can express myself through my body` even though I've never done any sports. It's so fun. Plus participating on stage (like Oedo festival) , Gave me a chance to dance with other people. Getting together with others is also great.
How does hula make you feel? 練習自体とても楽しいし、リフレッシュできます。一曲新しい曲が踊れるよう になるととてもうれしいです。
Practice is really fun and I can feel refreshed. When I learne a new song it makes me so happy.
What do you like to do in your free time?: ボランティアをしたり、フラの練習（？）をしたりしています！
I do volunteer for organizations, and of course practice Hula!
What would you like people to know about you? : 何事にも不器用なこと、でも手は器用なこと（笑）
I have an awkwardness for life, but I am good at making and creating things(^^;)
What is something that probably no one knows about you? 見かけによらず（？）とても寂しがりやなところ。部屋にひとりでいると寂し くなるので、なるべく出かけるようにしています。
Beleive it or not, I can't stand being alone. I feel lonly when I am alone in my room so I try to go out.
Have you ever been to Hawaii? まだ行ったことがありません！Never!
What is the first thing you want to do when you go to Hawaii? 本場のフラを観たいです。
I would love to see Hula!
"Why I love being a Hula Girl" フラやハワイについて全く何も知らず始めた私ですが、とても奥が深いと思いました。 もっともっとうまくなりたいし、フラについて、またハワイについて学んでいき たいと思っています。 また、マーシャをはじめフラブーティーの仲間はとても良い人たちで、フラの練 習自体も楽しいですが、 みんなとのコミュニケーションもまたとても楽しく、フラブーティーで練習でき て良かったなと心から思います。。
これからも出来る限り続けていきたいと思っています。フラの楽しさを教えてく
れたマーシャに感謝しています。
When I started to learn Hula, I didn't know anything about Hula and Hawaii but I think it's so deep. I would like to be a better Hula dancer and learn more about Hula and Hawaii. Hulabootie people are so nice and so fun to comunicate with. I really appreciate my hula sisters, and of course. Marsha for teaching me how wonderful hula is. So I would like to continue to dance hula as much as I possibly can.
I am so proud of myself being a member of Hulabootie!
Message from Marsha:
I would like to say to Masayo, "You are genuinely a wonderful person." Masayo is always thinking of others and has a very big heart. On so many different occations, I have recieved handmade gifts from Masayo--- from cookies to cakes to soba to gyoza to jewelry! She is very creative and thoughtful of others.
Masayo is also very independent. Over the years of knowing her, I know that life has not dealt her the luckiest cards, but still she smiles and lives her life with a positive attitude and spirit. She has made a life for herself in Tokyo far from her home town (Nagoya) ,working hard to support herself.
I remember when she first tried hula (see Masayo THEN) when Kaimana came to visit. She didn't have a clue about hula steps or how to position her hands, but now, she is a beautiful dancer! When Kaimana revisited Japan, one year after Masayo had started hula he commented, "Masayo has improved so much! She has so much potential!"
Masayo is always making time for Hulabootie events. She has volunteered to dance at the Orphanage and at OGO's 3rd annual BBQ, she has danced on the street at Azabu Juban Festival, and joined OEDO festival 3 years in a row. She has also danced at several of her friends' wedding parties---she is professional wedding party dancer! Aside from performing, she also helps behind the scenes to organize events (Rinshi No Mori Festival). I can't imagine Hulabootie without her. Thank you for your dedication to Hulabootie Masayo! And keep smiling!