Six Years with Nina

The first video I ever uploaded to YouTube was of eleven month old Nina, just learning to walk (with help from Mama). I thought that my parents in the U.S. would enjoy seeing it and YouTube seemed to be the easiest way to share it. I made a few more videos, started playing more with adding titles, music, different kinds of transitions... and discovered I really enjoyed making these little "movies". I told all my friends and family about them and at first I would get maybe 20 views per video. But, then, the views started increasing, and I started getting comments from people I didn't know. At one point, YouTube featured the video "Nina Talks Insurance with Mama" and since then, the growth in viewers has steadily increased. I have never asked people to subscribe to this channel, or tried to solicit comments or ratings, as that was not my goal when I started it. Of course, I have appreciated all the wonderfully supportive comments we have gotten over the last few years. It has been extraordinary to see how people from countries all over the world have related to Nina's everyday adventures. But, my goal was never to make Nina into a celebrity, and as she gets older and more aware of the camera, I sense that these videos might become less a chronicle of her growth, and more about making her into a public figure. Besides worrying about the negative effect being in the public eye can have on a child, I also think the videos would lose some of their charm if Nina were to start to perform for the camera. My wife and I have discussed this many times and finally decided that we would stop making these videos public before Nina starts elementary school, and that time has now come.
In the course of making these videos, Nina has learned to crawl, stand, walk, talk in two different languages, and ride a bike. She has played doctor, detective, barber, clerk, magician and political analyst.
Now, though, her life is more about friends and getting ready to start elementary school. She has secrets. She closes her bedroom door sometimes. I think it is time to let her disappear from the public eye.
So, as a parting gesture, we decided to pick through Nina's videos for some of our favorite scenes from over the years. The first six years of a child's life are a time of hyper-accelerated growth and change, where each month brings new abilities and perspectives. For me, this first chapter in Nina's life culminated with "The Frustrated Little Shopkeeper", where Nina's social and linguistic skills were put on full display. I feel like Nina graduated with that video and now she's ready to move on.
Thanks again for all the support and understanding!

P.S. The background music is "Porch Swing Days" by Kevin MacLeod.
http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/faq.html
I have used many of his songs over the years and am very thankful. If you are looking for a good source of royalty free music to use in a vid, go check out his site. And, leave him a donation to show you appreciate his efforts.

P.P.S. I may start a new channel where I post videos of scenes in Japan from my humble perspective. I doubt many people would find them interesting without Nina as the star, but I will put a link on my profile page just in case.

My new channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/geofinjapan

Category:

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Tags:

• Nina
• Japan
• last
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• greatest
• hits

[CRVanvie]

dear the cutest nina! its my first time commend for a video. cause, this make me wanna watching again and again. but, when know u will not be abel to share another nina's video make me a bit sad. wishing nina have agreat time, life, friend and family ther. keep rock nin. i laf u. watashi wa nina chan wo suki desu. i really really crazy about ur cuteness nina *kisses* chynta from indonesia

[geofg]

@CRVanvie Thanks for the sweet message! Nina is doing great, excited about starting elementary school. We wish you a great life, too!

[deviousfoxy87]

I have watched every one of Nina's video, and finally decided to get an youtube account to subscribe to this channel, without knowing that this was the last video. It is sad to know that I won't get to see her growing up anymore, but I think it is probably for the best. I really enjoy watching all her videos, and they kinda heal me. My parent split when I was young, and my father had never done things with me the way you did with Nina, nor did he ever dote on me. I love Nina! Genki de ne!

[geofg]

@deviousfoxy87 Well, maybe you should make some videos now that you have a channel! Sorry to hear you didn't have a doting father growing up, but hopefully you can make your own loving family some day.

Thanks for the comment!

[Yakerina]

I haven't spoken up for a while, but just popped by to say I am really happy you made these videos. I am also really happy to know, because you respond, that you are well. I remain up in Tochigi, slogging the days away! Heehee

[geofg]

@Yakerina Thanks for popping by, and try to keep warm (and radiation free) in Tochigi!

[syazzieh]

I am really going to miss Nina! Now I'm really looking forward to more videos of Nina's little sister/brother perhaps? :p Take good care of yourself geof!

[geofg]

@SugaPea5 Thank you. I can report to you that Nina is doing fine. She's very much just a normal little girl now, playing dolls with her friends after daycare everyday, taking swimming classes, getting excited (and a little nervous) about starting elementary school in April. Anyway, thanks for the comment!

[majofofitah123]

I can't believe it's already been 5 months since you stopped posting videos of Nina! I hope she's doing well in school^^ kisses to Nina from Portugal! =D

[matchimrockdaworld]

Nina-chan!!! i'm ur fan from Thailand, when i saw ur clip u always made me smile and wish to hav girl like u in someday lol, i'll miss ur clip for sure, i wish u always be healthy and happy, enjoy ur life kid, god blessing u and ur family ^^ LOVE YOU!!! <3

[InGUNable]

NINAAAAA I MISSSSS YOUU SO....SO...MUCH T_T

how are you..??? hows school..??

do you eat much..?? dont get cold..

i miss you...really really miss you T_T

[faramee]

I just found Nina's video last week,is that too late? ^^

I wanna thanks you for sharing the moment of your happy time with Nina.

I love them all..I watch Nina's video over and over again.She makes my day!

I wish your family will always have a great time and we(all over the world) do hope to see Nina again, someday.. it's me Farm, from Thailand :)

[turtlefoh]

it'as has been half a year! and here i am again to re-watch all Nina's clip. I MISS HER!!!

Hope she is doing great =)

[MrAzrasyn90]

No more Nina videos?! :'( Send her my regards with love

[megansalt]

I like...

the humans.