Hello, this is Asuka.
Happy New Year! In our Dojo, we already started our practice from January 5.
We were very busy at the end of 2009. We had the Christmas party, Toshikoshi Keiko and my Birthday Keiko. My birthday is December 26th.
As for the Birthday Keiko, I was happy that everyone remembered my Birthday and decided to get together to have a Birthday Keiko, even though I had to do Kakarigeiko. But the practice was more than that.
My boyfriend, who is Kendo 5 Dan and currently living in Japan, came to our Dojo with his friend, who is Kendo 4 Dan, to surprise me!!!
To tell you the truth, I started to fell that there was something when I sent him an email on December 25th, and he did not get an answer. Then I started to wander why it was only me that would have a Birthday Keiko and Ariga Sensei making sure that everyone should attend this event. From my experience, I noticed in the past that whenever we have some guest Kenshis coming to our Dojo, Ariga Sensei announces many times. So this time too, I knew by intuition that my boyfriend was coming.
They were hidden in their rental car while I was getting ready for practice. During the Kakari Keiko I saw them coming into the Dojo. I felt very happy.
After practice, I found out the many Kendo moms in our dojo had already known about the whole plan, and they helped with the party. They said, they were disappointed because I just kept practicing as nothing happened. They expected me to cry and hug each other during the Keiko.
Wait a second… How do I cry during Kakari Geiko…..
After practice, my boyfriend said that he felt that the kids in our Dojo seem to enjoy practicing Kendo more than their Dojo Kids. I totally agree with him. Our kids love Kendo.
His friend practiced with everyone in our Dojo. It was his first time to travel and practice Kendo abroad. He was so excited. They just stayed only for 3 nights. It is like Kouken Chiai, which means practicing Kendo makes good friendships, for them.
Anyway, I would like to thank everyone at Butokuden, Ariga Sensei and my special guest from Japan. It was a special Keiko for me.
