11-29-01

Ah, Thanksgiving has come and gone even here in Japan. I was in the middle of a conference during Thanksgiving. So took it upon myself to do something in celebration, so I whipped out my oven, mini as most things are here in Japan, and baked, and baked and baked. I think I managed to bake seven pies in that little thing. Japanese pumpkin makes a pretty mean pumpkin pie. Sharing the festivities at the conference, even the though the crowd was small, felt good. I still missed the smell of the kitchen at home, the frosty winter wind whipping at my nose during the day with my flowers. Ah, se la vi, we hold on to memories of far away - sometimes forgetting that they are meant to enrich today, not add a bitter taste.

Speaking of the conference, it went pretty well. My presentation was "Drama in the Classroom." I think there was a lot more I could have done to get the classroom moving, but I didn't. If there is a next year, I can bear those lessons in mind. If I were to grade myself, I would get either a B or a B- ^ it was nothing spectacular - although the content has certain potential to being spectacular. I will have to brush up the conference in case I decide to apply it later. One thing I can say in admiration to my fellow presentors, it takes guts to get up there. My stomach was turning up the SanLeandro Monarch Butterfly forest. If you can picture that metaphore, I give you my condolences.

Oh, another thing that has happened. I put on my kendo gear for the first time last week. No uniform, just the armor. It feels different. I will soon have to spend some money to purchase a uniform and a shinai - sword. Right now I am using the martial arts centers hand me downs. Which is all well, save that I was instructed to get my own.

Finally, before I sign out, I would like to thank everyone for being so caring and encouraging. Last month, or this path month was quite a challenge. I think i hit a rough spot that your advice and care helped me out of. Along with a dash of nature's beauty, I am standing on my feel now.

Take care then.

Much love to everyone. Take care

This is hanako signing out..