So the culture festival was fun! The ESS club, after all of our hard work, had just 3 people come to watch their play....!! They actually did a much better job than I thought they would, but Richard (one of 3 people that saw the play) said it was pretty bad.
The highlight of the culture festival was definitely one of the boys from ESS club in his class dance. He had been practicing the dance during the breaks of the ESS practices, and I thought he looked pretty funny. I mean, the dance was very feminine, and he is 18 years old.... with no rhythm.... anyway, on the day of the culture festival he was the centre of his dance... right in the middle of the big stage, wearing a skirt, a blonde wig, and a pink shirt padded with fake breasts. It was hilarious. I couldn't help but snort I was laughing so hard. It was the best laugh I have had all year. He danced his little heart out. Despite the silliness of his costume, he was dancing so seriously, and with such passion.... ahh... I am laughing just thinking about it.
I wish I could have controlled myself for long enough to actually record some video. All I have are some blurred photos.
Richard came to the culture festival, and just about every single student that walked past us on the day asked if he was my boyfriend!!!! As soon as I said he was my brother, they all agreed he looked just like me...... sheesh.
Last weekend was the Yukata Matsuri in Himeji. I noticed an interesting development at the festival: the fashion of the traditional costumes is changing. Also, how the costumes are worn. A load of girls had kind of slutted their Yukatas up by wearing it off the shoulder. Both shoulders down, so it showed what cleavage they had, and their (mainly clear) bra straps. They looked so incredibly tacky. Another difference was the obi (the belts on the Yukata). A whole heap of girls had lace obi, instead of the traditional thick cotton (?) ones. I don't think the lace looked too bad. I also noticed a lot more girls wearing girl (pink) versions of the men's summer outfits (jinbei). In himeji, the marijuana print jinbei are pretty popular.... although I saw them last year as well.
On Saturday I had my last adult class. I figured as I only have 4 weekends left in Japan, I shouldn't be spending it in classes! It was sad to say goodbye to the class members. They have been so great to me since I have been here. We actually had a game of tennis together. I was pretty rubbish at it. I took Catherine with me; who was actually pretty good and showed me up a bit. A few of the members are coming to Perth in January next year, which I am very happy about. I can't wait to show them around town. We have been reading "Sally's Story", by Sally Morgan, in class, which describes a lot of the area around the Swan River, so they all can't wait to get there!
I have cancelled my gym membership. It ends on the 30th of June. I am going tomorrow (last time). It is so sad that everything is wrapping up here. I HATE goodbyes!!! But I am also so excited about going home. Big mixed feelings! I guess at this stage I am most excited about getting home than sad about saying goodbye. It was my niece Holly's first birthday on Saturday, and I was pretty sad to miss that. Also it was my friend Laura's wedding party on Sunday, which I also missed. So being home I will get to celebrate these milestones!
Ahh just thinking now about all the things to do when I get home!!!! See the family, hang out with friends, meet friends' children, meet friends' new boyfriends/partners, set up a new home, START A NEW CAREER!!! I just can't wait!!
