Command Performance Dec 2009

This is Command Hill on base. Admirals work here. The Captain that runs the base works here. And, there's a hall they host events in. Seika Yochien was invited to perform. It was an 'open base' event, which means that Japanese can come onto base to certain areas for whatever is planned. Normally, we try to keep away from base when it is that crazy.
Tim and I joked that these two Marines on guard really aren't enough if these kindergarteners stormed them.
I was amazed how orderly the kids kept. There are kids from the Yokohama Seika Yochien, as well.
I guess you have to double-click and look close. But this Japanese pine looks like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It was right there with us on the hill.
Inside was the festival of trees. This was PSNS's tree. It had white hard hats for all the codes, green apples, and an umbrella on top. Since it was right through the door, it got a lot of comments.
Captain Daniel Weed runs the base. William got to give him this gift from Seika.
Look at that low bow! Wow!
Of course, William aced the speaking in English part. The other kids had a bit of a harder time of it.
Then, they performed a concert. It was really well done. BUT... This year, they decided not to let the Japanese on base until an hour later than normal. What they forgot, is to change this performance time. So, there was hardly anyone present! Some folks had come all the way from Yokohama, and didn't get to see their kid perform! I have a memo to self to send an email to remind them not to make the same mistake this year. There weren't many Americans there, either. I was so embarrassed.
William is on cymbals. They rotate them through all the percussion. He was on bass drum for the October parade, snare for the sports event, and then cymbals in December. Double click to see him on the left, second down. He's singing his heart out!
These kids are playing the suzuki melodian. It's an amped up little keyboard. They sure can be loud! It's amazing how well William got on melodian. We had put him into percussion as an extra-curricular activity, or he'd have been playing one of these!
Mugging for the camera.
At least Santa and Mrs. Santa showed up for the event!
William and best-friend, Jowanzo.
Meeting Captain Weed after it was all done. Kate, Jowanzo and William.

Practice December 2009

When I heard that the parents had to do a performance for the teachers as an appreciation, I didn't fully understand what was wanted. I was to learn later what the Japanese tradition is.

What I found fascinating, is how the Japanese decide things. Now, this is my opinion, from what I observed.

Everyone put in ideas, and we'd all look positive about it, and nod and be nice. Then, there would be a little break and groups would be talking, and when the break was done, one of the Japanese ladies would say, "We're going to do X."
Where sometimes American's egos get too in the mix, especially when their ideas are turned down, what happens here, is the pecking order is known, and those people nicely decide. It makes it easier on the rest of us, who don't want to have to work too hard!

We chose to do 2 songs. One, the children had done during the year. The other was a re-wording of a popular song in Japan. The music was written and arranged by Jowanzo's mom.
When she left (before our performance), we held a going away party. Everyone brings food, and or chips in money. I was happy to throw money at the whole affair, and one of the on-base moms brought American pizza, which is popular. Japanese pizza is expensive and comes with corn and mayo on top... or at least a lot of them do!
You might notice that some of the ladies are wearing masks. This is common when they are ill, or going somewhere they think is not hygenic. They also wear them in the spring, when there is pollen all around.
I was told by a veteran American Seika mom, that this group was the nicest ladies she'd worked with. Some of the higher 'pecking order' people can be quite snooty. William's class moms were great! Second from right is Yuki. She was excellent with translating, and helping us out with notices and the like.
This is the whole group of us. We met in an old school. It can be rented for cheap to use for meetings. It had a small parking area. I am still in awe of how these ladies can nudge a van into one of the smallest areas I've ever seen!

BAZAAR Nov 2009

Seika hosts a Bazaar every year, mainly to raise money for donations to the Red Cross. It turned out to be a nice day in the midst of not-so-nice weather, and we had a great time. I love that the cotton candy is not colored.
While other people played Bingo for big prizes (I bought the cards to donate, but never played), we purchased a ton of Shinkansen ride tickets. That's all William wanted to do. The driver is Sato-san. He was William's bus driver the first year of school here, and the nicest man.
So, all I did was watch the train go around the track. It goes around their playground area. They have a little bridge and the like... nothing special, but it can be kind of fun.
Crystal is behind William, and Kate in front of him. Their moms are Japanese, their dads American. Cute girls!
I wanted to show the fishing pond. I don't know who makes all of these packets, but it has to take some time. Inside are items like small books, or pens and paper.
You get a fishing pole with a dull, plastic hook, and have to try and put it through a rubber band that is stapled onto the 'fish.'
They did this one in the swimming pool at the school. We were gone during the school's swimming lessons in August, so at least William got to use the pool!
He got the one he wanted, a Tsubame fast train.

Finally, the tickets for the shinkansen ride ran out. They were laughing at me because I had gotten so many. By the time I got inside, all the good stuff was gone, and there were a few expensive things left. Then someone told me it was HALF PRICE. So, I got a few really groovy things! SCORE! Good things come to those who wait... for shinkansen rides to be done!

FLY AWAY HOME

No, we're not coming home, yet. William is still in school, so he and I are here while Tim is in the states. William's class had a field trip today. We went to have a picnic and look for bugs.

That's William in the turquoise shirt. In Japan, the kids raise their hands to show their intent to cross the street. It's a nice signal to drivers that they aren't just hanging out, but they want to cross. I think it helps the drivers see the short people, since the hand in the air raises the visibility.
Our first bugs were bees, which created quite a screaming outburst from the kids.
After lunch, we started looking under bushes and in trees and found...
rolly-pollies. Okay, I'm sure that's not the species classification for them, but that's what they call them here. Back home, we called them 'pill bugs.' The kinds that roll up into balls.
Do you see it? (No, not the guy doing Navy required PT, although he's the same color.
Yep, it's a Japanese lady bug on the pine tree. It kinda looks like it has a daruma face.
These butterflies are everywhere here. One of the kids went to touch it, so this is the best picture I got.
Earth worms are suicidal here in Japan. Since they can't seem to get to train platforms, you'll see them trying to cross concrete during the day. They dry up, and by our house, the ants take them away. Ms. Prior is showing the kids this one.
One of the highlights of the day was the ladybug release. The kids 'raised' these. I love the little domed house they lived in!
If you double-click to enlarge, you can see William 'training' his ladybug. Actually, the ladybug was going to higher ground before she flew away home.
Going up...
Higher...
It had to have tickled, but William kept really still.
In his hair.
At least it was easy for the other kids to see. It eventually flew away and landed on a rock in the middle of a turtle pond.
The butterfly release was more humane than the one from William's preschool, where the butterflies flew away, and birds swooped down and ate them.
The kids are enraptured at the prospect of the butterflies being free.
Happiness and excitement at the event.
Double-click, and you'll see the next butterfly flying away. I circled and labelled. It was so cool that this shot turned out so well with my small little red camera!

They'd raised 'Painted Lady' butterfies. Please enjoy the video!