I was living in Japan during World War II at a young age. It was a time when families and communities had to show great determination to survive. The memories I made during this time were very personal to me and reflected the difficulties of war along with the quieter moments of being a child. These memories influenced the content of my book Keiko's Journey as well as the stories about my experience surviving, family and growing up during war.
Life will bring you obstacles, however resiliency is your ability to continue on. Each and every one of the stories we have shared throughout our site represent an understanding that hardships will create opportunity for growth, knowledge, and ultimately direction in life.
The foundation of this journey has been compassion towards individuals, their stories, and their adversities. The ability to understand and be empathetic towards others is vital when sharing and experiencing these trials.
Personal development is a continuous process. It is through learning, reflection and creativity that we grow as people. Every action whether large or small will contribute to a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Every person's journey is shaped by struggle and hope. Ours are no different. That is why I share mine hoping that people can learn from each other's experiences and that we can build greater strength from each other by knowing each other better.together.
When I was 11 years old, my mom and I came to the United States. Although it was exciting for me to start this new chapter in my life, it was also challenging. In addition to learning English as a second language, I had to adapt to a new culture. At times, finding a sense of belonging was overwhelming. Starting over in a foreign country, I struggled to rebuild my identity while still holding on to my roots. Eventually, I realized that these two worlds (my old and new) could coexist and ultimately help define who I am today.
Writing, art, and being creative gave me direction. Writing allowed me to think about my experiences and share them with others in a unique way. Writing has given me a platform to reflect upon my history, relate to others who have gone through similar obstacles and/or changed significantly like myself, and express my feelings.
My path eventually lead me into the entrepreneurial field and the founding of Studio 904. Along with developing a company, I worked to develop a community based on mutual respect for one another, growth opportunities, and caring for each other. As I developed Studio 904, I continued to write and share my story and experiences with others through books, community involvement, and creating.