Her first bloom means that winter would follow soon. She grows fastest, while her twin sisters still look green. We took them and Mr. Avocado indoors to wait for spring together.
enjoy
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardThe second Monday in October is Health and Sports Day. Originally set on 10th Oct., Happy Monday System works to increase serial holidays. Thanks to nice weather for activities outdoors, many sport events are held at schools and local communities. Early in the morning, fireworks are shot off to let us know it goes ahead. Good luck, children. We grown-ups would enjoy sleeping more.
Lemon Lover
StandardMikan-chan really loves this year’s birthday gift. Her other favorite places include: sunny hall toward the roof floor, wooden window frames, mom’s futon mat or blanket, folded bath towels just after laundry, etc. Ohhhh, your smile makes mom feel like joining you, honey.
Come in.
I’d love to.
Supermoon!
StandardWe have it tonight. It is clear, the best condition to have a little party at home. Yesterday enjoyed the harvest moon, so two consecutive days of beauty in the sky, round-shape sweets on the table. It comes only once this year, compared to three times last year — very rare phenomena.
Happy harvest!
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardWe had a 5-day holiday called “Silver Week” from 19th to today this year. It includes Respect for the Elderly Day, which has been celebrated on the third Monday of September due to our Happy Monday System while Autumnal Equinox Day on Wednesday. Such arrangement makes Tuesday a national holiday to make us even happier. And many of us hope to have this consecutive holidays every year along with “Golden Week” in May.
Horse Hiking
StandardBeginners normally practice within a circle set in the sand ground of the club. It is exciting and enjoyable enough, yet sometimes we feel like going out of here into surrounding woods. And today, this little dream has come true. Putting on her new protective vest, Mei-Shun made an excursion on a horse named Zui-Setsu (随雪 in Chinese character maybe, meaning ever-snowing).
Expecting boots.
Necessary Costume
Standard… for horseback riding includes a helmet, a vest, slim pants called culottes, boots and gloves. Mei-Shun ordered all (thanks a million, Shin), has not yet received any except for a pair of culottes. She is so much looking forward to seeing them soon. On the other hand, Japanese dance requires at least one cotton yukata, made with a texture on which a pattern of school where a dancer belongs to is dyed. Kikunoe Ryu has chosen this one, a pair of chrysanthemum profiles bound in calyx.
Daki-hiraki-kiku
Introductory Lesson
StandardThanks, Maroo. He is very handsome and kind, a white pony, 20 years old, played a role of Mei-Shun’s partner yesterday. Our club let us prepare for riding; we have to brush his/her body, clean inside horseshoes, put cushions on the back, etc., before lessons. Nice idea it seems — we agree with them. Soft pats and gentle talking during preparation would help our wordless conversation.
Clever Horses
StandardThey are just great. 110 and more horses are working for a club in Ryugasaki. They work much harder than many of us; 6 days a week from 10:00 to 20:00. Rachel, the first partner of Mei-Shun, is a 17-year-old girl who has a shiny brown coat. She is kind and patient enough to follow beginners’ awkward signs to stop, walk and trot. Thanks, Ray-chan. Mikan-chan gave a permission to communicate with you. See you next week with a banana.
Half-baked Proficiency
StandardMei-Shun loves learning foreign languages. She has studied English for the longest time (30 years and more!) while French and Chinese follow. However, she has not reached the best positions; failed three times for Grade 1 of Eiken Test, gained Grade 3 of French and Chinese tests sponsored by our Government. She just hopes that her “hobby” would work to teach Japanese abroad in the future.
meishunkikunoe 