Dartboard

Today was the Sports Fiesta (pronounced here as “festa”) at the high school and it was so much fun. Daniel and I got to participate in a few events like the mucade race and tug-of-war. Mucades are poisonous millipedes here and so the race was like a three-legged race but with people tied to you in front and in back rather than side-to-side. We came in second to last, but it was fun. The tug-of-war was parents vs. second year students and so we lost badly, but it was really great to do. They sent Daniel and I to the front because we look strong, but I’m not sure I’m any stronger than the Japanese men I was pulling along side of. It was nice to participate in these events together.

The student tents on the other side of the track.

Daniel and I participating in the mucade race with some parents.

The finishline!

All the students have to participate in some race, when they finish the race they get cards with what they placed (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) and then they put the cards in these boxes and the total them up to see which team wins. Class 3-2 won today, but class 2-2 took second place. (They are my homeroom class and are certain to get 1st place next year!)

Then my big event was a 200 meter relay race with the teachers. I was third in the relay, out of about 10 teachers. I ran against a bunch of boys and so went from about second place to last, but we caught up quickly (with some male teachers running against female students) and faired pretty well in the end. It was nice to get moving and it warmed me up after a kind of cold and windy day. Daniel told me that during the race some high school boys came up to him and talked to him in Japanese. He suspects they were telling him that one of them has a crush on me, but it was all in Japanese so he’s not sure. I guess it’s not surprising—I used to have crushes on some of the young teachers in my junior high and high schools.

At the end of the Sports Day we all helped to break down the tents, tables and chairs. There were huge sandbags tied to the tents that needed to be taken back to the sandbox. The bags were really heavy so I loved heaving them from one side of the track to the other with all the students. It was probably the most fun part of the day because I was being productive and getting warm and getting to interact with students in a way that required little spoken communication.

(My camera ran out of batteries so those are all the pictures I got. I might get some from other people later and will post them then.)

After school I had my last taiko drumming practice before the performance tomorrow morning. We went through it about three times and I think by the last time I had it almost perfect. My mistakes were mostly keeping the basic rhythm when other drums had solos. I can hear it in my head correctly, but I just can’t get my hands to replicate it. I feel like I’ve done all I can before the performance tomorrow morning, and everyone keeps telling me the important thing is that I’m experiencing a part of Japanese culture, not that I get it perfect. Daniel tells me that considering I have no music background to speak of, and certainly no musical performance experience that I am doing really well. He says that musicians are usually not ever satisfied with their performance because the better they get the more they notice the minute details and want to fix them.

This is a video from my practice on Thursday, actually. My kyoto-sensei took it for me. You can see I make lots of mistakes, but I've sharpened up since then.

Afterwards we came home, had leftovers for dinner, and just finished watching the presidential debate online. Daniel is doing really well with jet lag, but by the end of today he was exhausted and has already fallen asleep next to me.

Wish me luck on my drumming tomorrow!
Love, Sierra

The birthday presents and greetings keep rolling in! Here's a picture of the flying fish (or "frying fish" is how it's pronounced here) that are so famous--and in season--on this island. This tapestry is from Satomi!

An iCard from my sister, Joelle.

A bouquet of flowers that Hirano, my neighbor below me, gave me. Making fake flower arrangements is her thing, I think, so these were made by her. Her daughter and I share the same birthday so she told me that she accepts me as her daughter too!! =)

Hiro, in Tokyo, sent me these beautiful coasters with Japanese scenes. They arrived just in time for my dinner party with Satomi and Rie. Here are just some of the many designs he gave me. Thank you, Hiro!!!

And I want to post some pictures from several weekends ago that I just downloaded off Laura's photo page. Remember my camera died at Yuka's house and so I didn't have any pictures to post. Well, here is the wonderful dinner she made for us.

This is me at her house that night.

And a little bit earlier that day. I fell asleep on Laura's couch and she stole a shot!

It’s arrived! It’s a boy! (Okay, that seemed funnier when I said it to Daniel just now!) So, he made it here without any trouble! I picked him up at Aokata Port at 6 a.m. today. Oh, it was so nice to have that first hug! The warmth of another human body! I’ve really been lacking physical contact here. But anyway, we drove home and I showed him around the place. Then I went right back to bed until 11 a.m. I only had three hours of sleep last night with the party and early morning. I had to go into work at 1 p.m. today, so we made lunch together and I grudgingly left DT to go in for three pointless hours.

I had had this day totally planned out, but another change of plans at school messed every thing up. My already tight schedule turned into a race. But I’ll spare you the details—after school I ran home and picked up Daniel so he could come watch my taiko practice. He met most of the teachers, kocho- and kyoto-sensei. We practiced taiko for a half hour and then Satomi and Rie came to my apartment for a very quick dinner and cheesecake dessert, which we were suppose to make together, but they spent all day making instead. They made some amazing food that was so delicious!! I also received some beautiful and amazing birthday gifts! Satomi gave me this beautiful flying fish tapestry and Rie gave me a yukata!! I’m going to wear it on Sunday for the cultural festival at school! Satomi had to leave to teach at her English class in Kamigoto before 7 p.m., but only barely got out on time. I felt bad that we had to race through the wonderful cheesecake dessert, but I’m assured that we will get together again when our schedules are not so hectic.

Daniel’s tired now, having been awake since 6 a.m., so we are heading to bed early!
Love, Sierra

The moon over the water near Aokata port, as I waited for my ship to come in.

This is the taiko ferry that Daniel came on!

Of course, as soon I spotted Daniel on the ship I had to take a picture. I was so relieved that he was not only on board, but also awake!

Daniel, in the flesh, getting into my car! We are so happy we can't stop smiling!!!

Daniel relaxing on my futon and computing.

When I got back from school Daniel had already done our lunch dishes and they were drying on the rack! It made my heart melt! I hugged him and kissed him and said I was so happy to have him. And he said...

...I thought you'd make a bigger deal out of the laundry! While I was at work, he even hung my laundry to dry!!

Rie, DT and Satomi eating a quick meal! They're so sweet for cooking all this food for us!

The plate of food! So delicious and plenty of leftovers for tomorrow!

It's my birthday and I just can’t sleep! I’ve had the most wonderful birthday party with all the Kamigoto JETs and I’m going to pick up Daniel in just 5 1/2 hours!! I really need to get some sleep tonight because I’ll be so busy this weekend with the Sports & Culture Festivals, showing Daniel around, plus all this extra stuff I’ve normally got going on (taiko, karate, dinner plans) that it all just seems a bit overwhelming now. I have to post these pictures from my birthday party because I’m afraid I’ll be too busy and won’t get around to posting another entry for a while. So, I’ll get right to it!

Love,
Sierra

I'm going to go in chronological order here so the party pictures are last!

I got this birthday greeting from Hatakeyama this morning!

At school today so many people sang "Happy Birthday" to me. This is me hanging out with Class 2-2 after homeroom (where they all sang Happy Birthday of course!

Drawing on some T-shirts with third years today. I assume these are for the Sports Festival Saturday.

Then I went to the gym for Taiko practice after school. They were just moving the drums from Narao to Nakagoto High School today.

My drum is on the far left.

Also got a sneak peak at a tea ceremony that was being held in the gym.

Here's my surprise birthday party! We all gathered at Catherine's house at 7 p.m. They even yelled "Surprise" even though I knew about it!!

I got to open presents right away! This one from Laura!

She gave me a stick of the bamboo that I've been oogling over at her apartment! Yes! I am that excited for more houseplants! Laura also gave me some Walker's Shortbread, and as I opened it I said, "Expiration date is tomorrow." meaning I'd have to eat it tonight, but Laura really thought she'd given me an almost expired gift! But true to my words, I've already broken into the shortbread as I write this entry!! Thanks Rora--you know me too well!

Catherine gave me these beautiful flowers. They're unlike anything I've seen before...so exotic!

Kerry gave me much needed gifts! Three tapes for my car (I'm really getting sick of the one Alanis Morrisette tape that I found in my apartment. I like Alanis, but everytime I drive anywhere??? I don't think so. I'll be playing these for my early drive to Aokata to pick up Daniel in a few hours!

Kerry also gave me the makings for s'mores! Oh, the delights!

Peter and Yuka watching me open my presents! I didn't get a picture of Peter's gift, but he gave me some omiyage from his trip last weekend. Kudos to Peter! He was thinking ahead!!

Yuka gave me a melon. She's sticking to the food-theme after she got Laura chocolate ice cream for her birthday!

Then we had the most delicious food! Catherine did a spectacular job of planning and preparing. Thank you so much Catherine!! There was pizza, potato wedges (with real ketchup!), pot stickers, edamame, salad, chips, wasabi peas, fruit, juice and pop! I ate so much I had to unbunkle my belt and unzip my pants! No, seriously!! I did!

...and the cake and candles! Or should I say cakes? They're from the cake shop in Narao. Still haven't been there, but hear only the best things about it! These cakes were delicious!

In honor of missing another night of flower arranging. The candles were placed in our flower stand! (Sorry it's out of focus!)

Catherine falling over Laura. Somehow Laura always seems to end up underneath Catherine....?

Then we played pass the parcel. My first time playing this game. Here is Kerry's selection of gifts. She was the only one not to get a ring, so she made her keychain into an earring!

Laura's rice flavorings and three-sided noise maker thing. Makes blowing three times the fun!

I got the best gift: the kaleidescope! Plus, bright yellow striped socks to match my jailbird shirt, a red ring and rice flavorings!

Yuka's pink pearl ring. I think it gives her special powers. And everyone got rice flavorings!

Peter traded all his gifts for Laura's world globe. He was fascinated with this globe from the hyaku-en shop!

And Catherine has a tomato from the salad. She made the pass the parcel so she was in charge of music, but didn't get any goodies! (Peter continuing to spin his globe there in the corner! He's easily amused!)

Just had some more greetings in my inbox when I arrived home this morning! This one from Mama...

This one from my friend Sean, who might be coming to Japan here soon, huh?

It's so late now! Only 4 1/2 hours until DT's arrival! Thank you everyone for a wonderful birthday! I love you! Sierra

School was canceled today because a typhoon was supposedly coming, but it never came so everyone went to school anyway. Even I went for a couple hours to get Hatakeyama’s help and watch a karate video my master gave me last night. I just had my first video chat with my mom so I took some snapshots to show you. This is all I’m posting today because I want to go to bed early…

The countdown for Daniel’s arrival begins! He will be here in just 37 hours!!

'Night,
Sierra

My mama and I video chatting earlier tonight!

My mom and George together!

I’m so screwed up about the weekend. No school Monday or Thursday because of national holidays. Then Saturday and Sunday are off for me, but everyone else has to work today (Sunday) because the junior high schools are having their Sports Festivals this weekend. Their substitution holiday is Monday, but that’s when I have to go back to work. Then this Friday is my substitution holiday, but everyone else has to work! Oh, the confusion!

Yesterday I hung out a bunch of laundry (the sun is shining and it’s beautiful today), did some errands in town, and then went up to Kamigoto for a swim in the pool and lunch with the girls. We ate ramen in that new(-to-us) restaurant and then headed out in search of the secret beach.

The secret beach is a legend, passed down from ALT to ALT. I’m not sure how much of a secret it is, but Yuka and Peter say it is pretty private, rarely used by any Japanese people. We crammed into my car and began our search. We had some general directions that I scribbled on a napkin in a restaurant last weekend—but then forgot to take with me. We were doing it all by memory, but we made it and it was beautiful. The weather was perfect this weekend. No one went swimming, but we enjoyed the wind coming in off the ocean, the sound of waves crashing, and the peacefulness.

Dreaming away...

The coastline (it's really dirty from all the crap that washes up, but I tried not to notice).

Laura gazing out into the water.

Because the girls all have to work today, Catherine and I did our grocery shopping and came back to Narao earlyish. Today I just did household stuff, cleaning and preparing for DT’s visit, watched some movies and video chatted with Dan. It’s the relaxing weekend I needed before the excitement starts on October 1st at 6 a.m.! (DT’s arrival in Japan!)

Oh! And I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow at Kamigoto Hospital. I’m just getting a blood test and check-up to make sure I'm getting all the right vitamins and minerals and am in healthy condition. I’m worried that my tiredness is caused by anaemia or something physical that can be fixed with supplements or a more conscience diet. Hatakeyama is going to come with me and translate. I love that guy!

Love and Secrets,
Sierra

Finally, I’m posting a video of the taiko drumming I’m practicing everyday. I’m not very good at it (the rhythm is just so unlike anything I hear in the west) so I made this video and practiced it on my own. I will perform next Sunday at the school’s Culture Day.