Sierra Dellenbaugh Blog 15: Missing Memories

 Week 15

(Missing Memories) - 4/27 [6:20]

I’ve been dancing hula for almost thirteen years. I was inspired by Lilo & Stitch, and my mom decided to put me in classes when I was four. I caught on really fast, and it was the only hobby that really stuck. I took a bit of a break last year (for obvious reasons) but besides that I’ve had classes every Friday for as long as I can remember. Despite how much I love hula and all the culture that goes along with it, I feel like the memories I should have around it aren’t there. I’ve been with the same hālau (group/class) for the past ten years, but I can’t say that I know my hula sisters very well at all. We’re close friends on Instagram, but I don’t think that counts for much; I can’t even call us friends. I don’t really have the memories I should have for having been with them for so long (besides that one time our kumu [teacher] messed up the song and we all stood on the stage staring at each other for a whole verse). I have no idea why, but that’s just how it’s been. Although we should have started getting to know each other a lot earlier, I have recently been in touch with one of my hula sisters, and it turns out we have more in common than we thought. I hope that we start to form somewhat of a relationship, or at least be able to talk to each other while we wait for class to start; it’s pretty awkward.

I never know where these blogs are going to go; I didn’t even have much to say on this week’s topic. I guess it was just an observation that vaguely relates to memory, but mostly rambling. I hope you at least enjoy the picture of six-year-old me. :)



(An awesome song my hula sister Cherey sent me when we were chatting last week (: Unbecoming - STARSET, https://open.spotify.com/track/6RAFJffY5Dv2h0w1WNxzLL?si=ac58d0f0b382419e )

Comments

  1. Sean WangMay 3, 2022 at 9:28 PM

    Hi Sierra,

    Hula is a hobby I've never heard about, that sounds really cool! I really miss the time when I was free to explore my interests without the pressure from society; I feel like everything I go into these days is influenced by YouTube or Instagram in one way or another. Keeping in touch with your hula sister is great as well; in the future, I hope to stay in contact with the people I interact with now.

    Sincerely,

    Sean Wang

    ReplyDelete
  2. Faith QiaoMay 4, 2022 at 9:12 AM

    Before ninth grade, I could always find something to take up my time. If I was bored, I could open my phone and there would be a library of games that I might play or another anime waiting for me to watch or another BTS compilation I haven't touched. But in a course of two months, I lost all those interests and was left with a hollow basket to which nothing could fill. The time slipped out of my hands while my mind was focused on something that I thought was so important, but is so meaningless to me now I can't even remember. I remember writing in a memoir about that period of time that I have no empathy for that person but for some reason all of those lessons haunt my every move. I can't seem to get in touch with the Faith that had "hobbies" or at least something that grounds her when she's tired.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Krish ParikhMay 4, 2022 at 10:08 AM

    Hi Sierra,

    I'm ashamed to say that the only experience I have with Hula is Hula-Hooping, definitely much simpler than anything you've learned. However, I find my approximation of Hula (hopefully) as one of the most fun dances I've ever done. I don't typically move my hips from day to day, so whenever I have an excuse to do with my little brother, you best believe I will. I'm glad to see that you're recalling the good times you had with Hula, and I hope you can continue to connect with your Hula sisters.

    Sincerely,
    Krish

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anwika PalleMay 4, 2022 at 11:16 AM

    Hi Sierra,
    I love the picture of you dancing, it's so cute! It's really nice that you have an outlet with hula dancing, and it's impressive that you have been doing it for so long. Personally, your relation to hula dancing is my relation to soccer. I love the sport and can't see myself not playing it, since it has been part of my life for so long.

    ReplyDelete
  5. VivanMay 4, 2022 at 6:11 PM

    Hi Sierra,

    I will admit, I almost always just rant on may blogs at this point. Did you see my blog? I just ranted about how I had 3 AP tests on the same day. The week before? I ranted about POAS Presentations. It really is all I have done for blogs but I have kept a consistent relation to memory, even if the ranting is slightly related.

    Sincerely,
    Vivan Waghela

    ReplyDelete
  6. DeetaMay 4, 2022 at 9:34 PM

    SIERRA THIS IS SOOO CUTE. Getting to know you this year has been so cool and I continue to learn cool things about you every blog that just continue to leave me so intrigued. I did not know hula was still practiced, so I find it so dope that you have grown a deep passion and interest for a hobby that might not be as prevalent in society as playing the piano. I think an interest as unique as this one is sure to be an important part of your memories growing up and it is also really nice that you have made friends from it. Thank you for sharing (and for your weekly song!) and good luck on your AP tests this week<3

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yi-Kuan CMay 4, 2022 at 9:45 PM

    Hi Sierra,

    YOU HULA DANCE? THAT'S ACTUALLY SO COOL. Hula dancing has always been one of those "I only see in movies" types of thing. Also, I find it quite funny the comment you brought up about being "close friends" on instagram. When I first joined insta, I also thought it was a pretty cool concept. However, as time passed I realized the criteria to make someone's close friends list is literally just not be creepy to them.

    Yi-Kuan C.

    ReplyDelete
  8. RaymondMay 4, 2022 at 9:46 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. RaymondMay 4, 2022 at 9:47 PM

    Hi Sierra,
    I never knew that you danced hula! It is definitely a unique hobby, one which I have never actually met before. The way you described the lack of deep relationships with your fellow groupmates is a situation that I definitely have found myself stuck in before. It was this way for a lot of my classes, but these blogs have allowed me to get to know everyone a bit better. I am very thankful to Ms. Benedetti for these opportunities.
    Sincerely,
    Raymond Yu

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sophie Minh Thy C NguyenMay 4, 2022 at 9:50 PM

    Hi Sierra,
    I also have a history of dancing hula, but it was not for a very long time. What I remember from the experience was that it was for my family's reunion called the "Ongono Festival" that we have every year. Despite having that large party every year, it feels as if I don't have very many memories of it. Maybe because we haven't had one in a year or so because of COVID or because of my bad memory. All I know is that I would have fun with my brother and aunt each year and perform a dance at somepoint.

    ReplyDelete

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