Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Pass The Parcel
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
