Dartboard

Today was culture day and the BIG DAY of my taiko performance. To be honest, I'm glad it's finally over. Practice was really stressful and time consuming and I just want to spend every second with Daniel now. I'm really happy that I got to take part in this cultural event, and I might even be interested in doing it again next year, but as for now, I'm relieved.

So, as I said before, now that DT's here I won't be writing as much, but I'll still try to post pictures regularly...

Love, Sierra

The opening performance. This is the best picture Daniel could get because it was so dark, but hopefully there will be others soon. I am on the far left--the tall one!

There were a series of speeches, plays, music performances, movies and dances after our drumming. Some pictures from those...

Here is the band, a small, but enthusiastic group.

Here's a student pretending to be drunk in a play about baseball. I didn't really understand much of it, but I thought this was amusing.

A group of students singing karaoke and dancing. This guy's wearing a horse-head?!?! I didn't know what to think of that!

Then there was a modern day rendition of Romeo and Juliet. I hope it was modern day because there were cell phones involved.

Juliet from her balcony.

The group that won the dance competition at the Sports Fiesta yesterday got to perform again today in the gym. I must say they looked much better today.

Yes, those guys have pompoms.

The crowd watching the dancers...

After lunch I got changed into the yukata that Rie gave me for my birthday. She is on my right, Satomi on my left.

Daniel and me in my yukata (summer kimono).

Walking down the hallway (and showing off my bow in the back).

We got to participate in a tea ceremony too. It killed Daniel's and my legs (sitting with them tucked under us) but the ceremony was beautiful. Here are a couple men who went after us.

There was also a bunch of student artwork on display in the gym. Here are some of my favorite pieces.

These two pieces are pencil drawings and they are so good. I can recognize the students in the drawings from classes--it is amazing.

I also liked this display from the home ec class. All the sugar that is in the soft drinks, sports drinks, coffees and juices here!

Then I ran around and got pictures with some of my favorite people...
Here's Hatakeyama and me.

And the school nurse...I can't remember her name right now, but she is really sweet.

One of my favorite students, Maya. She is the captain of the volleyball team and helped me tremendously when I was playing with them this summer. She is also in my homeroom class and was subleader at the Sports Fiesta yesterday.

Here are the girls who played taiko with me. They were on the same type of drum as I was and helped me so much when I was having trouble.

My friends the Yamanakas, who I had over for dinner the night I forgot about them. Aren't they the cutest couple ever?? I just found out that they will be trying for their first baby this spring!!