Taiikusai practice

Taiikusai is basically a sport's festival where everyone at school marches up and down the square. And play games. (Remember we went watch Ryotaro's? It's the same thing.)

Yesterday was our first day of practice. We practiced for about 2 - 3 hours out on the baseball field. This equals sitting and marching around under the blazing sun, in the sand, with no shade. Except for under the tent they've put up in case someone needs to rest or lie down. It. was. so. hot. The teachers kept talking (I fear there will be speeches on the actual day) and we kept marching, going back and then marching again because we couldn't get it right. The people who did were allowed to sit down in the middle. Francesco said he felt sick and went to sit under the tent. (He said he actually did feel a little sick. But I think he was pretty sick of marching too... ;) ) I refused to give up and "ganbatted" to the bitter, sweaty end! Hah! The Norwegian viking prevails!!

Dazey was impressed. He told me that we'll be doing this several times in the weeks to come. Sometimes the whole day. "Just pray for rain." ...yeah. This'll be fun . . . nooot.

We've been watching the weather forecast on TV, and it looks like we might be getting a typhoon here in Kagoshima! It's kind of scary, but I would like to see one too... X) I asked what happens at school if there's a typhoon.

Kaa-san: You get the day off!
Helene: ... ooh, what a shame~! ...now that we have taiikusai practice and everything...
Kaa-san: *laughing* You don't look sorry!

Well... I'm not! XD

Today I went for dinner with kaa-san, all my host siblings and the grandparents. It was really nice, and the food was delicious! I'll update with pictures later. ^^

Location: Nippon! Banzai!
Mood: Content
Listening to: A Japanese TV program. They're taking mini puppies out of a basket and guessing what race they are. The audience goes crazy squealing "kawaii~!"
Eating: -
Drinking: -