Kindergardeners, More Fireworks, and KARAOKE!

The Crowds of Tsuchiuda

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Me and Yu next to a GIANT street cone at the fireworks! (sorry, I look like a Zombie)

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Tsuki-chan running a relay

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Papa and Tsuki-chan

Well, my 4 day weekend is coming to a close (I have no class on Friday and Monday was a holiday), but I am ready to get back to a predictable schedule!

On Saturday, I went to Tsuchiuda for another fireworks festival. We went with the "Trans" club, which is basically a club that promotes conversing in both English and Japanese. This way, the Japanese can practice English, and we can practice Japanese. This is the club I am going to join! All the people in it seem very nice and many were in Oregon last year. It should be tons of fun!

Our trip began at school and it took 2 hours by train to get to Tsuchiuda, which is actually in Chiba!!! We then joined throngs of people making converging on the fireworks field. Because we went with the club, the had really good reserved seats. We were practically right next to all the fireworks! It was amazing. Now, I know I said the first one I saw was the best ever, but really, these fireworks have no comparison! At one point, they took up the entire sky!

Our way home was very difficult, as now the throngs of people all wanted to get on the same train back! We had to wait in line for about an hour! At this point, we were concerned we would not make the final trains back to our respective houses! My final train runs at about 1:00am, and I am pretty sure I caught the very last one! Cabs in Tokyo are very expensive, so I dodged a bullet!

The next day, we all got up early to attend Tsuki-chan's Undokai. Think Track and Field Day, but with more ceremony and coordination. (and no prizes!!!) Basically, all the kindergarders perform in different sports events (sometimes with their parents) and march around in a nazi-esque manner. All in all, it was fun to see a traditional Japanese event. Also, the kindergarten that Tsuki-chan is in was the same Kindergarten Mama went to! At the event, I met Mama's father and younger brother. Grandpa seemed like a history buff, and is a doctor, I think. The younger brother is a dentist, and very good looking!!! However, he wasn't aware Alaska was in the U.S....I guess this is pretty common.

That night, me and a couple others all went to Karaoke near our school! It was tons of fun! My throat is a little soar today, however. Thats what I get!

Today was homework day. I wrote a paper for my art history class...and it is way over the word count limit. I don't know how she was expecting us to get all that information on one page when I could have easily written 8. (I settled with 2) While I did this, Tsuki-chan and family went to Pokemon Center, a specialty store with...guess what? Pokemon stuff! He came back and showed me his new cards. He would point to one and say "STRONG!!!" he was very excited. When I told him my Dad sold pokemon cards in Alaska, he just about wet his pants. Now he really wants to go to Alaska, even though he says it will be cold. As a result, we are better friends. Thanks Dad!

I have been feeling very tired lately, and my host family thinks I am getting sick! I think I am fine, I just like to sleep, but they are concerned. The rest of the family has a cough, so hopefully I will not catch it!!!

Thats about all, wish me luck at school tomorrow!