Unicycle Queen

Mairi has been going to Japanese elementary school this week, as her "holidays" have started but mine haven't. It is of course, from an adult's point of view, a great chance for her to experience some of her Japanese culture, study some Japanese the Japanese way, and make some friends from the neighbourhood, but it is understandable that she doesn't always see it that way.
The words "It's not fair!" may have crossed her lips a few times, to strike a dagger to my heart, mainly based on the fact that she hates the school dinners and they have homework EVERY DAY!!

The "carrot" though is always the chance to drop in at the jidokan, or after school youth club for kids whose parents work. I actually am home early enough for her to come straight home, but she loves going there for the chance to learn how to ride a unicycle, which is a surprisingly ubiquitous pastime for the under 10 set here in Japan.

Last year she was always frustrated because she wasn't as good as the other kids who went every day, but today, after going every day for a week, and enlisting the help of Santa, she finally passed the first level test. (Yes, they have level tests!). This means she was able to go 12 lengths of the corridor without holding on to the rail.

Her prize? This spiffy certificate, and the right to venture outside on the unicycle and the potential to really hurt herself!! Oh Joy!

But passing a unicycle test, eh? How cool is that?