NEWS!

Well hello there. Long time no speak! But I'm back on track. So I tried searching the internet for funny/interesting quotes, but they all seem stupid to me, and since no one sent me any, no quote! (you can quote me on that though...wait, sorry, that was corny)

ANYWAY

Saturday night (yesterday)we went to Baard's for the first time again in quite a while, it was nice to be back there, it's always fun. As it turns out, it was Yoriko's birthday! (Sachi's wife for those who can't remember anything *kuch* Thijs *kuch*). We didn't know, felt slightly guilty, until we got cake. We forgot about all that then (kidding). It was just a nice relaxing evening, good to have people back from all corners of where-ever they were hiding during the holidays. Unfortunately it got a bit late, and sucky for me, I had to get up early this morning. Today was my first day of Taiko lessons! Woo! Exciting!


So you wonder, what in the world is Taiko. Well, I'll tell you! A taiko is a very big Japanese drum. And you hit on it. With sticks. :D Nah, it's more that that. Taiko is a form of music, combining big drums, little drums, Japanese flutes and ehm... things that look like a pan... to make very intense rhythmic music. I have been to see a performance by professionals in Leiden once and it has never let me go, you get completely entranced in the rhythm of the drums, it's awesome. So now I got the chance to have a go myself! Gerrie had already been in december but I couldn't make it, so it wasn't too scary going over there because I had Gerrie hehe. Though I didn't appreciate the incredibly long walk up the ***** hill that they decided to have their practice on. Most annoying is that normally a bus goes up the mountain, but not in winter, then it goes only half way, so there I am hiking up the mountain trying to avoid the monkeys.... I must admit the view was incredible which sort of distracted me from the monkeys...but hey...I made it though, and had a ton of fun. It's a lot harder that it seems!! I mean, I knew it wasn't easy, but it really isn't! There so much to think about... your stance, the way you hold the sticks, keep your arms straight, but not when hitting, look up, hold your arm this way then that, AND of course remember what the hell you're playing. The teacher is patient with me and the whole group seems really nice I must say. There's a couple who have two kids, a little baby and a 6 year old boy or something, not quite sure how old he is... He is really good on the small drums though, quite a natural. And his baby brother seems to be completely used to everything, I was stunned. These drums make QUITE a lot of noise, add the flutes and pan rattling and the noise is ear deafening... and this baby doesn't make a sound. I'm sure it must be deaf or something, how is that possible???













Anyway, the older kid, Yuu-kun, was completely fascinated by Gerrie learning to play the flute (he had to take it home as homework haha, sorry Gerrie, I'm sure I will have to do it too, you'll get your turn to laugh). All in all, it was great, and I will definitely be going again. And I'll make sure to practice hehe. Good part about having gone today despite being tired, is that I get to go to their New Year's party tomorrow, right after I go see Claudia become a grown up (finally ;) hehehe kidding). She gets to wear a really pretty kimono and stuff, for 'coming of age day' or something, I'm not jealous :P So after this rather long radio silence, I've got plenty to tell again, and I will tell. Enjoy!

lots of love and of course Happy New Year. All the best!

x Jennifer