January 30, 2010
Sitting at Liliha Bakery having breakfast and suddenly my name is called out from the right and it’s this mature woman, “are you Russell Tanoue? The Russell Tanoue? She adds, I’m your 7th grade teacher I been reading all about you, meeting you again, you made my day.” Holding back my tears of joy inside realizing how she just made my year.
I am so grateful to be given this opportunity to let her know I remembered her. When I said I remember how she lit napkins with a cigarette that later spelled “hello”, on the first day of biology class, she smiled with so much joy.
Till this moment typing this, I find myself wanting to tear with joy. I realized why I’m still doing what I do and NOT for those who can’t celebrate my accomplishments but for those I may have forgotten.
She looked at me with such awe and pureness, this joy I shall never forget.
She made me realize all the jealousy, the shadiness, the shallowness, the hurt I had to endure to stand for what is right in this industry is all worth it cause Mrs. Yuen my 7th grade teacher is still cheering me on all these years even if I had forgotten her. I am so touched and grateful for this moment.
Thank you Mrs. Yuen, even if I were not the best in your class, to hear you say I’ve made you proud means more than you’ll ever imagine.
I thank God for this moment as she has just made my year.
But moreover, she’s made me proud to be Russell Tanoue.
I will never forget this morning.
Brandi Ann Kehealani A Beautiful way to start your day Russell!
14 hours ago ·
Russell Tanoue Yes, and I’m still tearing. Whew! My year, what a wonderful year this will be.
14 hours ago ·
LeeMyra Quebral Priceless.
14 hours ago ·
Sandi Paracuelles Lynn What a wonderful testament, Russell!! I too, have one teacher that was the inspiration of all time. Miss Barbara Yamaguchi, 6th grade…wonder how that little firecracker is today?
14 hours ago ·
Makino Tsukushi What’s her name? I don’t know why, but she looks familiar.
13 hours ago ·
Sharon Sanchez That is just awesome, Russell. As a teacher, we are proud of our students when they succeed, and you have surpassed the point of success. I’m sure she is just beaming with pride.
12 hours ago ·
Lillian Izawa that is awesome.. teachers always hope that their students get somewhere in life and that makes all their work well worth it.
10 hours ago ·
Jeffrey Emerson Solomon-Johnson Morning RT, once again a great party, I loved it. I had great time and it was good seeing you again man. Sorry I didn’t get to say bye before I headed, but I couldn’t find you in the sea of people, lol. Alright RT, I will catch up with you soon and we gotta do a few more shoots before I head out to Georgia this summer.
Always grateful,
-Jeff
10 hours ago ·
Joseph Santamaria What a great experience Russell, thank you for sharing, and agree with Jeffrey what a great party last night ..
8 hours ago ·
Michelle Dragavon Hey Russel?
How are You?
I neva see you in a long time?
Hows food? are you still training at all?
Shoots, Lets get you going, FO REAL!!!!…
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8 hours ago ·
Agnes Klein God Bless you Russ…cause you’Ve Blessed ‘em as well….((:+:))
6 hours ago ·
Sandra Ordonez Tsujimura Dat’s becuz u somebody!
6 hours ago ·
Alan Arato CLASSIC!!
This is what it’s all about… unconditional love!!
I LOVE IT!!
Congratulations!!
5 hours ago ·
Eva Morgan How wonderful!
14 hours ago ·
LeeMyra Quebral I hope you gave her a big hug.
14 hours ago ·
Russell Tanoue More than that, gave her and her husband 2 big hugs and a third outside.
14 hours ago ·
Michelle Belmodis Awww…
14 hours ago ·
Jordan De La Cruz wow…..that was deep and sweet…
14 hours ago ·
Connie Sogamoore that’s awesome
14 hours ago ·
Denise Carr That was very sweet and touching…..way to start you day Russell
14 hours ago ·
Shelden Saiki Awesome Rus!
14 hours ago ·
Russell Tanoue If you only knew, I can’t read my own status without tearing. She made me realize all the jealousy, the shadiness, the shallowness, the hurt I had to endure to stand for what is right in this industry is all worth it cause Mrs. Yuen my 7th grade teacher is still cheering me on all these years even if I had forgotten her. I am so touched and …
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14 hours ago ·
Makino Tsukushi “If you work really hard and are kind, amazing things will happen.” Conan O’Brien
14 hours ago ·
Grant Okamoto that is so awesome! keep up the great job Russell!
14 hours ago ·
Autumn Lee Matsuwaki David Brinkley:
A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.
Theodore Roosevelt:
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat….
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13 hours ago ·
Michele Lee-Goo Good job, keeping it “REAL”
13 hours ago ·
Jennifer Hera Pimentel It’s amazing how much teachers can impact your life, a great teacher can leave an Impression that lasts a lifetime….
12 hours ago ·
Robert Kekuna Jr. Wow, this made my year, and it’s not even my life! (I don’t know if it says more about how wonderful this reunion is or how little of a life I have.)
12 hours ago ·
Antonia Sanders I don’t know anyone who isn’t proud to know you!
10 hours ago ·
Shane Kekoa DeMatta Kawamura awwww… liiha????mmmmmm lol whats the dates again? its always nice to hear that
9 hours ago ·
Patrick Edlin definately a good story for the books. RT
9 hours ago ·
Lori Izawa-Wong That is so AWESOME, Russell! Now is this Mrs.Yuen from Central?
4 hours ago ·
Jennifer Proctor Calderon that’s the best to be remember by those who changed your life too
about an hour ago ·
[...] Latest blog 1-30-10 “Proud to be Russell Tanoue…” [...]
Right on RT!!
Awesome!!!! :..)…….