3 day weekend

Last weekend was a 3-day weekend for the Japanese and some lucky Americans whose companies celebrate Columbus day! Our holiday was for "Health and Sports Day." I love the national holidays here.

Lately weekends have been kind of piss poor...the weather is always terrible or at least terrible compared with the the rest of week (aka when we have work and no free time). Sometimes, the only good day of the weekend is Saturday and guess what? We have 4 hours of naginata practice on Saturdays. And not even in the mornings...smack dab in the middle of the day during prime sunshine hours. No, I'm not bitter about this. I'm downright depressed. I think it's a little abnormal to be depressed about the weather though, isn't it? So I can't blame just the weather. Honestly, like I told Ryan, I'm having a bit of a "existential crisis" or some kind of lustrumnal disorder (I made up "lustrumnal"...coming from the word lustrum meaning a period of 5 years. No, I didn't remember it from Latin class. Sorry, THHS.) I'm in a dark place...a darker place than usual. Hahaha. No need for alarm. I'll work it out. Actually, I went for a run and feel a little better already. Also writing this blog is helping too. I guess it puts things in perspective. I'm not bitter about having naginata practice. I love naginata.

Anyway on to the list...

23. Hike the Maruyama trail. FAIL
We tried to take advantage of the good weather on Monday (Health and Sports Day) by trying to find this trail. We walked all over Maruyama park...even tried just climbing up something that *looked* like a trail but abruptly ended even though there seemed to be signs on it. Also, the dirt was really muddy from the wet weather that we've been having and I was slipping all over the place. And Ryan got bitten by bugs. It was pretty miserable I guess. But at least we tried. And I will try again!

At least...

We did get to see a lot of cute little boys and girls wearing kimono and hakama for shichigosan celebration. Basically it's a celebration for 3, 5, and 7 year old boys and girls. They get taken to the temple and petitions are made to the gods for a healthy and happy life. Last year, we were guests in one for the girls I tutor.

And we did go out and about to celebrate our health and sports...in the spirit of the holiday!

29. Grow your hair until January. (THEN you can do whatever you want with it.) FAIL
Well, I tried to grow my hair but Ryan made a hair appointment and I decided I would just do it! So that takes this off the list. Pictures later.

15. Start an indoor herb garden. (Rosemary is a MUST!)
On Friday, I bought a rosemary plant, seeds for basil and parsley and a seeding tray. More on that later...

Coming soon:
44. Make satsumaimo cakes.
18. Buy yourself a piece of naginata bogu.
40. Compete in a naginata tournament and win one of your shiai.
28. Do something for Halloween.
42. Make a Halloween costume.
30. Buy new underwear.
25. Buy yourself a pair of knee high boots finally.