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Sports day

Three Mondays ago, Nanao had their annual sports day.[^1] The sports day reminded me of the years of Japanese school sports days I used to go to, complete with the representative student’s pledge of sportsmanship, a three legged race, and concluding relay, though it was only half a day.[^2] It also was billed as the Nan’ao town and school joint sports day (村校聯合運動大會) and indeed many parents, families, and other miscellaneous townspeople were there to join in the festivities.

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Today I went with Peng-lai Elementary on their field trip to the Guan-xing Educational Farm (廣興農園). The farm has ducks, pigs, and some rabbits, as well as a large carp pond.

Steven (seen below rolling down a hill—he also goes by the name Seven Eleven) started referring to this pig as “mitcho.”

We also had a hands-on activity—or, as they say in Chinese, “DIY.” The kids were given bowls of cooked taro and sweet potato and a plate of flour, potato starch, and a little sugar. The kids kneaded them into small balls (粉圓) which were later boiled and put in a sweet bean soup and served with lunch.

I was excited enough to buy a stuffed animal boar at the gift shop. It was just so cute!

After lunch we went to the Luodong Sports Park to hang out and play for an hour and a half. The weather was great and it was an altogether wonderful day.

I just stumbled upon my elementary/junior high school’s website:

The fifth grade Math team took first place in the regional math competition. Great job!  

Fifth grade!? Now that’s just ridiculous. At least Ms. Henke’s not the culprit.