Closing Ceremony

Sunday was the closing ceremony for Uta's Japanese class. This is a three hour event that includes the awarding of certificates, student presentations, and in true Japanese fashion, a painstakingly long acknowledgement of everyone (everyone!) directly and remotely involved in the Japanese program. For Uta's presentation he was required to give a speech in which he described a drawing. I was a nervous wreck, but Uta swore he wasn't scared in the least. At the moment of truth his body said otherwise, his knees knocked fiercely and his voice was barely audible. There were a few hecklers (well meaning parents?) who yelled from the audience encouraging him to speak directly into the mic. I wanted to single handedly strangle them on the spot, but I was too busy choking back tears of pride. For Uta, his performance was a stellar success. He didn't forget a single word! At five, I was still hiding behind my Mother's legs, and here he was standing on stage in front a good sized crowd giving a speech. Hats off to him!

Uta receiving his certificate.

Waiting on stage to give his speech.

Sweet success.