What I learned

I’m sitting in the American Airlines terminal at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, and although I already miss Candy and all of the new friends I made, never have I been so happy to be back in the United States. There is a very special woman and two special kids that are foremost in my mind right now, and I am ready to smother and be smothered in hugs and kisses. Oklahoma City is still a two hour flight away, but at least LeaAnn, Christian , Emily and I are in the same time zone again. Of far, far less importance than seeing my family again, but worth noting, the second I stepped of my flight from Tokyo, I headed straight for the Chicago Style Pizza place in the American Airlines terminal food court. Now, to be honest, I did develop a taste for many of the foods I tried, but just like a transplanted Japanese citizen will crave decent sushi in Oklahoma City, I am ready to eat foods indigenous to my tribe.
It should be expected that I would learn something in the two weeks I was in Japan. Here is as complete a list of things I learned as I could come up with after having been up for nearly twenty-one straight hours.
I learned that having a global perspective does not mean that I should change who I am or apologize for where I was raised. It simply means that I need to remember that I am not the only person on the planet and it takes a lot of giving to share space with 6,000,000,000 other people. I learned that the Japanese have many of the same concerns we do about public education. Students that are becoming increasingly more disrespectful, parents that will not support the administration in matters of classroom discipline, and teachers that are quitting early in their careers due to frustration and low pay. I learned that you can text in Kanji. I learned that sushi is not half bad, provided you are dining in a restaurant that is close enough to the ocean to serve really, really fresh raw fish. I learned that many of the sea creatures Oklahomans would use as bait taste good deep-fried in tempura batter. Where food is concerned, I also learned that when in Asia, if offered foods such as barbequed eel and/or fried squid, say “what the heck” and enjoy. Because I also learned that I like eel flambé and tempura encrusted squid. I learned that a good map and a Passmo card were all I needed to master the art of getting around Metropolitan Tokyo. (It also helps to have a little local knowledge, to be able to understand the dialect and to run into helpful Japanese that seem to come out of nowhere to help silly American tourists.) I learned that he who hesitates on the train platform in Japan is liable to be trampled by scores of businessmen and hordes of school children. I learned that there are far more words in English and Japanese that sound similar than I would have first guessed. Words like aparto (apartment,) and tabledua (table.) I mean, who’s kidding who? These words and far more just like em’ probably derived from English, but still, it does give one a nice break from having to completely re-label everything when learning Japanese. I learned that the bowing thing is for real! It is a custom observed in every walk of Japanese life. Even the ground crew at Narita airport stood in a line as our plane was taxiing away from the terminal and bowed to our aircraft. As I understand it, the longer and deeper bows are to show great respect, and a quicker, more shallow bow is for situations that are less formal. I learned that hospitality is much the same in Japan as it is in Oklahoma. I was taken to two expensive restaurants by my hosts and not allowed to pay either time. I only hope I get a chance to return the favor. I learned that the Japanese are honest and precise. In two weeks, I was not scammed once nor did anyone at any restaurant screw-up my order. Or fail to give me back the correct change. In my observations, I learned that the area Japanese band students are kicking our student’s behinds in, most significantly, is in the diligence and determination with which they practice individually. The students I observed practiced until whatever concept they were working on was mastered. Now, I have to drive that point home with my students. I learned how to master chop sticks, which was good, considering that several of the restaurants I ate in did not have cutlery. I learned that the older generation that still embraces many of the traditional Japanese ways is very unhappy with the younger set that wants to shed tradition and continue to “Westerninze.” I learned that it is hard to gain weight when having to walk a minimum of four miles a day, especially if you have to eat meals with chop sticks. Most importantly, I learned that kids are kids, whether they be American, Japanese, German, British, etc. Japanese students sometimes do not turn in their homework, and can be mischievous in the classroom. Same here. Japanese students are expected to work hard and achieve at a high level and if they fall short academically, they cannot get into the best high schools and colleges. In America, our students are expected to work hard under ever-increasing expectations and will not be allowed into our best colleges if they fall short academically. In Japan, middle school boys will push, punch and grab other boys in a head-lock while girls sit in cliques and chat. Sound similar? Cell phones are whipped out at the moment students are allowed a break and teachers will often have to chew on their class to listen while they speak. Being a stranger in a classroom in a foreign country was a completely new experience. I loved being the object of staring, giggling, high-fives and questions. I cannot imagine that being any different if Chihiro were to visit my classroom. In the end, the Japanese students I observed were more outwardly respectful that American students I have seen and are more willing to participate, regardless of the activity, but the differences were not as great as I imagined they might be. And although I certainly would not trade any of my students, I would be tempted to apply for visas for many of the band students at YNHS to come to America and be in our high school band at Western Heights.
It is time for me to head home now. I am ready to see my family and re-pack for our family vacation next week. Before I sign off, I want to thank again all of the folks at Fund for Teachers and The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence for making this opportunity possible. I hope I honored their investment in me by having an incredible experience, one that I will be sharing with colleagues, students, friends and family for the rest of my life. I also want to thank my step-mother Candice Wojciechowsky, Principal of Zama American High School for connecting me with all of the right people and then for putting up with me for two weeks. I know she is glad to get her kitchen counter space back, but I had a great time with her and I will be forever grateful for all she did. Many, many thanks also go out to my new friends at Yamato Nishi Senior High School. They were collegial, congenial, open, honest and a total blast to hang around with. I am thrilled to have gotten to know so many of the faculty so well. Thanks go out specifically to Principal Matsui for allowing my visit, Wada Sensei for all of the wonderful conversation and dinner my last night, to Taka for all of his efforts in the planning of my trip dating all the way back to March and last, but in no way least, Chihiro. This young lady is going to become a truly special educator and it was my pleasure to spend those four incredible days in her classroom. I also want everyone to know a world-class woman, LeaAnn Williams, my wife and partner for the last 19 years and the two best kids in on the planet, Christian and Emily. Big, big thanks to them for the ultra-loving gift of the last two weeks.
Well, that’s it. Six months of planning, two quick weeks and a lifetime of memories. It is easy to say now that it was worth every moment! Thanks for reading!!!
-k

My last day at Yamato Nishi

Friday was my final day at Yamato Nishi High School. I am sitting on the couch in Candy and Dad's apartment in a state of melancholy. For the better part of 2010 to date, I have planned and pointed to this experience and in the blink of an eye, it is over. Life is not measured solely by what you accomplish, but by the lives you touch and, in turn, who you allow into your life. It is utterly amazing to me how deep a bond can be developed in just four school days. I think, perhaps, it is because the staff and students of YNHS took such an interest in me, my life, my family and the reasons I would want to visit their school. I also believe that they could tell my interest in them was heartfelt and genuine. That is a recipe for fast-friendships.
My day actually started next door at Minami Rinkin Junior High School. In Japan, all students are required to attend school, which is free, until the 9th grade. To gain admission to high school, a student must pass a battery of tests and then apply to the high school they wish to attend. Taka told me that there are different levels of high school, depending on your academic prowess. The top students are accepted into schools for high achievers, and those that are on the bottom end of the food-chain attend schools that are, in Taka's word's "not so good." All students in this district take general music through the 9th grade, then it becomes their choice as to whether or not they will continue. I was able to observe two music teachers at Minami Rinkin J.S. On this day, one was teaching choral skills and the other was teaching a lesson on the the Verdi opera "Aida." Since middle school/junior high is kind of my thing, it was fun to watch them work. Teaching seems to be the same in Japan as it is in America. I understood quite well what was happening at every stage of the lessons. Thanks to hand gestures and facial expressions, it was not hard to figure out what the choral teacher was demanding from her students when she stopped the music to address a problem. The same was true with the other teacher was trying to impart to her students while watching opera on a big screen television. In a humorous moment Taka (who came with me to MRJH,) and I were discussing how the only way to really make a living being a musician is to be at the tip-top of the profession, such as being the lead Tenor in the opera. At the same time, one of the students asked the teacher how to make big money as a musician. I could see her pointing to the heavy-set man singing tenor and Taka told me that she was explaining to her student that if you want to make the big bucks you have to be the man singing lead Tenor. Taka and I chuckled over the irony.
We returned to YNHS for Chihiro's afternoon schedule. Chihiro must have studied English extensively as a student, because her ability to speak it improved every day. She, Taka and I chatted away over lunch about all things educational and otherwise. More than anything, this has been an extremely good exchange of information. Their curiosity and mine has led to very open and frank discussions on a variety of educational topics. One of the big differences in music at Yamato Nishi vs. Western Heights is that Chihiro will only see her music classes for about 1 hour and 40 minutes once a week, whereas we will see our students every day for about 50-55 minutes. Therefore, I saw Chihiro teach a similar lesson several times in my four days with her. My big treat for the day came after school, when she invited me to stay for Chorus Club (5th picture from the top,) which she leads. Nine wonderful students that are preparing for a performance in the next two weeks for a visiting high school group from Maryland. One song was quite beautiful and sung in Japanese, the other is from the movie "Sister Act" and was sung in English, complete with all of the choreography. What a blast! Chihiro was gettin' after it on piano and the students were bustin' a move while singing in four part harmony! Fun, fun, fun! At 4:30 Monami (9th picture from the top,) student leader of the Brass Band Club, came to get me and it was off to sectionals. I had the pleasure of working with the saxophones, horns, trombone and trumpets. I cannot say if all Japanese students are as wonderful as the ones I worked with, but let me tell you that I would gladly load each and every one of these young people on a plane and take them back to Western Heights with me, if given the opportunity. These students were disciplined, eager to learn, willing to make changes, and took great joy in fixing problems. I have nothing but the highest praise for all of their efforts!!! My heart sank at 6:00 p.m. when I knew it was time for them to go home. However, there was still another surprise left. I was then led to a commons area where all of the Brass Band Club students had gathered for picture taking and to say goodbye. As the lump in my throat grew, we took a group picture (10th from the top,) and then one by one, several students whipped out their camera phones and posed with me for individual shots. I was thanked profusely by many of the students and was told by Chihiro that they did not wish me to leave. I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life.
My time in Japan is coming to a close, but this might not be the end of the story. Seems that I have been approved to return. In a final meeting with Principal Matsui, I was given a Yamato Nishi T-Shirt (Crimson red!!!!!, my favorite color) and a beautiful Yamato Nishi pen. Matsui Sensei also expressed his gratitude for my willingness to work with the students after school. He also stated that much in the same way YNHS has a sister-school relationship with Zama American High School and Frederick Douglas High School in Maryland, in that they exchange students and share resources, I would be welcomed as an American representative to their band program should I return. Seriously? Me? Talk about God revealing His purpose for my trip. I cannot say weather or not I will have the opportunity to come back, but just to know the opportunity exists to work with these kids again and that a positive impression was made. Wow! I can go home happy now.
Remember at the beginning of this blog when I said I had no expectations and that anything good that happened to me would be a pleasant surprise? Geez Louise!
Saturday is Zama H.S.'s graduation and Candy is giving a speech, which I very much want to hear and then I have been invited to dinner at a Japanese tavern by Masashi Wada, English teacher. I hope they have karaoke. ;-)

Beyond cool

Thursday was another great day in what is fast becoming an epic trip. It was my pleasure to observe Chihiro teach her general music classes again. She is a delightful person and a wonderful teacher. Chihiro's smile and patient nature make me wish Christian and Emily could have her for class. I have so enjoyed watching her work with students. She exudes joy as she plays piano for students to sing or explains new concepts to the class or moves from student to student demonstrating how to hold the traditional Japanese flute. I hope to model her patient, positive attitude with my students at Western Heights.
I had to take of from school at noon to head to Yokohama for the rehearsal and concert of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band. Never having been to Japan and not having much lead time to research the cities surrounding Tokyo, Yokohama was a pleasant surprise. A beautiful city that surrounds an inlet of Tokyo Bay. It reminded me of San Diego in many ways. Modern buildings cozying up to a bay spanned by a beautiful bridge. The photos will attest to the contemporary beauty of Yokohama.
The KU rehearsal was splendid and I was greeted backstage by Yuka Honda (pictured above,) coach of the band. Way cool moment #1: She invited me to return backstage after the concert to meet the conductor of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band, Toshiro Ozawa. Ate a quick dinner and then returned to Minato Mirai Hall (my third incredible concert hall of the trip.) Just in case you are unfamiliar with the KU Symphonic Band, they are regarded as one of the best collegiate bands in the world, on par with Eastman, Illinois, Oberlin, Michigan and North Texas. I just lucked-out in finding the right people to contact to enable me to attend the dress rehearsal and buy a ticket to their completely sold out concert. The performance included Malcom Arnold's English Dances, several works by Japanese composers and..............as a final encore...........The Stars and Stripes Forever!!! (Way cool moment #2.) Way cool moment #3 came when during the Grandioso strain, the point where the brass usually stands up and lets go, The Kanagawa University Marching Band, in full uniform, entered the stage to join the Symphonic band which gleefully encouraged the overall volume way past the "fff" mark. The goose bumps on my arms and hair follicles on the back of my neck were at full attention, and suffice to say, it was just one of those moments that you really don't want to let go. The most surprising thing to me was the reaction of the crowd. Apparently the Japanese speak Sousa too, because they clapped in tempo from the beginning until the Piccolos came forward and from the break strain to the end. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing. Were these really citizens of Japan keeping time to our National March? I could have gone back to Oklahoma happy at that moment. The final cool moment of the day came with my opportunity to meet Maestro Ozawa. When I was presented to Ozawa Sensei, I bowed and he presented me with a business card, shook my hand, and asked me a couple of questions through Yuka Honda about my program. I am at a point of not knowing what to say anymore. My life here in Japan has been a big bowl of cherry blossoms. As anxious as I am to get home to LeaAnn, Christian and Emily, it will take a while to come off of the high of my time here.
Friday will be my last day at Yamato Nishi. My heart is already heavy having to leave my new friends.
-k

The OMG (gosh) moment of the trip

If being asked to evaluate members of the Brass Band Club during their sectionals yesterday was not enough to make my mind spin, boy was I in for a shock today. Upon arrival at YMHS, I slipped off my shoes and slipped on the traditional slippers and slipped upstairs to Chihiro's office on the third floor. Another day, another new friend to meet. Today Masashi Wada, an English teacher, was with me for several hours throughout the day to chat with me, allow me to ask questions and translate complicated topics for Chihiro and I. Wada Sensei was very curious about my school and education in America. Since I was dying to know several things about the Japanese educational system, it was a good exchange of information. Wada Sensei has two children, a boy, 11 and a daughter, 8. An ironic moment came at the end of the day when he had to depart promptly at 6:00 p.m. to pick up his son from school. His life sounds very similar to someone I know.......hmmm.....Just exchange the 11 year old boy for one that is 13 and......Anyway, on to the moment mentioned in the subject line. While chatting in Chihiro's office, the student leader of the Band Club asked Wada Sensei and Chihiro if she could have permission to ask me a question. Monami, 1st chair clarinet, asked if I would stay after school and rehearse the band. Thinking that she obviously meant that she wanted me to again travel from room to room and listen to sections, I immediately said yes. The language gap has been a problem only a time or two, but in this case, I really should have asked Wada Sensei for a literal translation, because promptly at 4:25, Monami led me to a large classroom where THE ENTIRE BAND WAS ASSEMBLED. Yes, I had agreed to rehearse the whole band. To be fair, I had a gut feeling that is what Monami wanted in the office, but I thought to myself, "Nah, couldn't be that." Oh, but it was. No score prep. No baton. And, oh by the way.....I am not fluent in Japanese. I had the advantage of a chalkboard, graciously provided by the band students. Also, Wada Sensei came by and helped by translating complicated concepts I was trying to get across. I instantly became Marcelle Marceau with my hands and facial expressions and very quickly re-learned my Japanese numbers from 1-10 and learned even quicker how to count to 100, so as to direct students to the correct measure. I use the chalkboard all the time in my classroom, so that came easily to me. The biggest surprise was how easily I was able to correct inaccuracies in the music. And I absolutely love the piece they are working on. Written by a Japanese composer, it was tuneful and exciting with quick articulations and several beautiful, lyrical melodies. I am going to get the name of it before I leave. Music really is an international language. The students and I were able to communicate on a very high level do to our ability to understand the language of music. Stuff got fixed! I was thrilled. The students at YNHS play extremely well and were a delight to work with. I was very impressed with how independent each student was on their part. Their band of about 20-25 students played with the bold sound of a group twice its size. Each time I stopped the students were receptive to my comments and eager to correct mistakes. In that light, they remined me of my top ensemble at Western Heights Middle School. I very much felt at home with the band students at Yamato Nishi.
The only awkward moment came at the end of rehearsal when I saw it was time to stop. I thanked the students for their wonderful effort and for inviting me to work with them, then I thought I had dismissed them..........They continued to sit and stare at me in utter silence (by the way, these students were pin-drop quiet throughout the entire rehearsal.) After a moment or two, I again said what an honor it was to be with them, how much I enjoyed the experience and "have a great afternoon"..............They still sat staring at me.........Now I am beginning to sweat. I looked up at Wada Sensei for advice, but was so frazzled by this point that I could not hear what he was telling me to do. In my school, it is all I can do to keep the kids in their seats until I am finished with announcements at the end of the period. I could not understand why these wonderful young people would not leave. Turns out that they were apparently waiting for me to leave the room. In Japan, my observations have told me that the students will take their seats the classroom and wait for the teacher (Sensei) to enter. The Sensei will leave the classroom before the students are allowed to gather their things and exit. Now, this is my observation. I will try to get clarification from Wada Sensei or Taka before I am finished as to the tradition and procedure.
Needless to say, it was an afternoon I will never forget. Many of the students thanked me again and again for my help. They will never know what a pleasure it truly was for me to have the opportunity to teach them.
Tomorrow, back at Yamato Nishi and then on to the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band rehearsal and concert.
-k

1st day at Yamato Nishi

Tuesday was day one at Yamato Nishi Senior High School. Two long walks, a short train ride, and a Google map took me right to the front entrance. Within just a few moments I was greeted by Principal Kazuhiko Matsui, who very politely had me remove my shoes in favor of traditional slippers (pictured above) and taken to his office for a brief chat. I was welcomed with a cup of traditional Japanese green tea served in an elegant cup with saucer. These folks know how to make someone feel welcome and important. I was introduced to a number of the staff, including Michitaka Koganemaru (Taka,) an English teacher and my primary contact at YNHS. I was also introduced to Akio Soma and a very nice woman that asked me to call her “Meg”, also English teachers, who took me on a wonderful tour of the school. Just so you know, the only reason I am doing so well remembering names is that almost every male I met at the school had a business card. Next I was introduced to Chihiro Kurokawa, Yamato Nishi’s music teacher (pictured with me above.) Chihiro’s warm smile and cheerful personality were welcomed attributes after months of not knowing what to expect. She speaks very little English and I speak even less Japanese, but we were able to communicate quite well thanks to Taka and Soma Sensei dropping by to check on me and thanks to the language translation application on Chihiro’s cell phone.

Ironically enough, this also happened to be the day Candy was scheduled to visit Yamato Nishi to present Principal Matsui with the Zama High School yearbook and a ZHS coin. We were all in Pricipal Matsui's office for the ceremony and a photo op.

Chihiro’s one music class for the day was nearly two hours long. Two hours with the same students in a general music class would drive me nuts, but Chihiro was positive and energetic to the end. Her students, all high school aged, learned a beautiful Italian song and began the process of learning to play a traditional Japanese flute. We are at the beginning of the Japanese school year, so I was able to watch Chihiro perform the same duties I annually do, in placing instruments on student’s faces so that sound can be generated. That part of the lesson was not lost in translation. ;-) Chihiro spent the balance of her day teaching computer classes, so we did not meet up again until 3:30 p.m., when it is time for all after school clubs to begin.
Brass Band Club (including woodwinds and percussion) is a student run organization that meets from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. most school days. Each section will rehearse separately in classrooms throughout the school. The band as a whole rehearses with a director on the weekends. The question I will ask in the next day or two, is how the students have become so proficient at their instruments? They do not have a full-time coach (director,) yet each student I listened to played extremely well!
Okay, I finally hit something that threw me for a complete loop. I WAS HELPING TO TEACH SECTIONALS AT YAMATO NISHI!!! Yah, that’s right! Just try telling someone that they are flubbing an articulation in another language. There I was, listening to the trumpets when their first chair student asked me to evaluate their playing. Gasp!!! I made a few comments and then slipped out of the room. At my next stop, the same thing happened. While listening to a young lady play tuba, she stopped and asked me to help her. This repeated itself several times. I even found myself playing baritone along with one young lady that just happened to bring an extra baritone with her to practice. I did my best to help, but felt woefully inadequate given the language barrier and the fact that I was not given permission to assist the students. However, I was later assured by Taka later that I was right to help when asked. Matter-o-fact he asked me to stay again Wednesday and Friday to continue to help the band students. I will do my best, but I really need to get further in my Rosetta Stone course if I hope to return. Taka said that the woodwinds were jealous and wanted me to help them today. Alas, I can’t even turn off the teaching switch 14 time zones and 6,290 miles from home. I am only too happy to help. :-)
Dinner was at a restaurant in Sagami-Ono, suggested by Chihiro, then back to collapse at the apartment.
-k

Japan and Oklahoma

I tend to associate mannerisms with a person’s nationality or region. For instance, I see people of the Hispanic culture as being laid-back and family oriented, Germans as being bold and serious, the British as being understated and itinerate, and people from New York as being rude and self-absorbed. ;-) Your culture determines in large measure who you are and how you act. People from California seem to smile a lot. I would smile too if the weather was sunny and 72 degrees most of the year. People in Colorado all seem to be physically fit and have at least one large dog (S, K, A & K’s dogs being the exceptions to the rule.) I love Japan, and the reason I love Japan is the same reason that those who choose to live in Oklahoma fall in love with it, the people. Real Oklahoman’s share many mannerisms with the Japanese. Both believe in the value of hard work and honesty. The Japanese are extremely polite, so are most Oklahomans I know. Oklahomans welcome guests with open arms and provide each new friend with a good ol’ dose of Oklahoma hospitality and a tall, cool glass of iced tea-sweet or unsweet (wink, wink to my lovely wife.) The Japanese do things the same way, only with a delicious cup of green tea, served on Noritake china. I am enjoying my stay in Japan immensely, due primarily to the Japanese that have touched my life in one way or another.
Yesterday, there was a woman on a train that observed me studying the Odakyu train route map. With a very proper English tongue, she asked me if there was anything she could do to help. It is always nice to be in a foreign country and have a local approach you in your native tongue. So after a brief conversation regarding my route, we began to talk about each other’s careers. She explained that she was an artist and would be moving to the Sagami-Ono section of Metro Tokyo. Long story short, Fuji invited me to her art show at a gallery in Downtown Tokyo next month. I hated telling her that I would only be in Japan for another week. Fuji was cheerful, helpful, friendly and optimistic, and so I couldn’t help but think that she would love Oklahoma.
Tokyo is compressed living. From the razor-thin skyscrapers, shoe-horned between two larger buildings to the ultra-compact cars driving on streets barely wide enough for one ultra-compact car, to houses that seem to be scaled models, life in Tokyo demands that you think smaller. In ten normal sized steps you might pass a dry cleaner, sushi bar and hair salon. Turn the corner and you might see a car dealership who, to conserve space, has stacked their cars three stories high on some sort of motorized, steel beam conveyor belt. Then look up and see only a sliver of blue sky filtered by signs, electrical lines, buildings and trees. You have less space in Japan, but you adjust. I have found myself growing increasingly happier with enough elbow room on the train to turn completely around. It no longer bothers me to dodge bicycles at intersections in a crowd of people. And let’s just say I have a different perspective on the size of bathroom stalls. We all adapt to the space we are given.
There are areas of Tokyo that are quite open and roomy. Take the grounds surrounding the shrine of Emperor Meiji, an enormous green-belt in the middle of the concrete forest. A huge Ootorii, or wooden gateway arch, begs for you to enter, take a long walk and relax under the canopy provided by trees that are old and tall. About half a mile along the path, you’ll find the Shinto shrine of Emperor Meiji. Emperor Meiji was the 122nd Emperor of Japan and the Great-Grandfather of the current Emperor. It was under Emperor Meiji that Japan first reached out to Western civilization and began to accept Western culture and technology. This is a place of great peace and tranquility. You are first encouraged to wash your hands and mouth at a fountain using bamboo ladles. Then, you venture into the shrine. The pictures I have provided show my journey onto the grounds and to the shrine. This was, by far, the most relaxing part of the trip to date. I caught many locals strolling, briefcase in hand, that just looked like they needed a break from the pressures of life in one of the world’s largest cities. Think Central Park in NYC and you are in my zone.
Tomorrow is my first day at Yamato Nishi. I can't wait!!!!
-k