I met my friend Janice through a mutual friend in Hilo.  I don’t see her all that often but in true Hilo style, we cross paths every so often.  I recently found out that Janice has a blog.  I love blogs–especially those that touch my soul and Janice’s blog is one of those.  It makes me stop and reflect on my life, my blessings.  I reflect on what I have experienced as a human, as a woman, and especially, as a mother.  I introduce you to Janice–an awesome human, woman, and mother.

What is your name?  Janice Irene Ikeda

Where are you from?  Hilo. I grew up in Kaumana Gardens and Waiakea Uka, and now I live in Piihonua.

What school did you go to?  Waiakea Waena, Hilo Union, Kamehameha (Kapalama), Hilo Intermediate, and Waiakea High (Class of 93). For my undergraduate degree I went to HCC and received an Associate’s in Information Technology, and then I went to UH Hilo where I received a BA in Communications, with a Minor in Sociology and Hawaiian Studies. I’m graduating next month from with my Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Favorite Book  My favorite nonfiction book is Community: The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block (2008), and my favorite fiction book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (2007).

Favorite Song  I have to pick two: Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major by The Piano Player (2007), and Daniel’s Joik by Jon Henrik Fjallgren (2014).

Favorite Quote  “Go forth and multiply”. Just kidding. Lately with everything that has been going on in the world, I am continually drawn to Rumi’s poem that says “Out beyond our ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing there is a field, I’ll meet you there”.

Favorite Movie  Brother Bear, Sweet Home Alabama, Steel Magnolias, Hope Floats, 13 Going On 30, The NeverEnding Story.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?  Healing people.

What did you want to be when you grew up?  I’ve always wanted to be a mom, which I’ve gotten to be to 5 amazing humans. I’ve also wanted to be a professional ballroom dancer and a National Geographic explorer. In some ways, I got to be both of those in the five years that I lived and traveled all over the world as a Polynesian dancer with Island Breeze Ministries.

What is your greatest weakness?  Chocolate and babies.

Top 5 Pandora Stations  Classical Guitar, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sara Bareilles, The Sunday Manoa, The Carpenters Holiday.

Favorite Podcasts  TED Radio Hour, How I Built This, The Moth.

What is something you think Hilo should bring back?  The slam book, definitely. I think I’ll make one for my kids. I also really loved rolling blackouts as a kid. There’s something about sitting around in the dark and just talking to each other that is so magical. Sometimes I just turn off all the lights and tell stories to the kids in the dark, or ask them what their dreams are. They love it.

Use one word to describe you  Curious.

What is your word for this year?  Maitri – it reminds me to always practice loving kindness to myself and others.

Fairy or Mermaid?  Fairy.

What’s the best gift you have ever received?  My sister, Mary. She is the nutter to my butter. This is us trying to be ganguro.

How do you unwind?  Puzzles, reading, vacuuming, and blogging.

What is your blog about?

Daily Becoming (www.dailybecoming.com) started out as part of a capstone project for school, but it has developed into much more. There are 4 categories that I post in: Belonging, Storytelling, Leadership Practice, and Life Design.

What do you wish more people knew?  I wish more people knew how much joy comes from empowering others to live their greatness. I wish more people knew the depth of relationship that grows from being vulnerable and honest about your imperfections. I wish more people knew the stories of their grandparents.