Phew!... I finally have a bit of time to relax and add fresh content to this much neglected Web site!

In April, Chloé and Ryu took part in the Vincent d'Indy Music School inter-student competition and both did very well. Chloé obtained a third place award (89%) in the Baroque category for her performance of Bach's Menuet in G minor. Ryu surprised everybody with an excellent performance, getting a first place award (92%) in the Classical category for playing Haydn's Allemande in G major. Congratulations!

Then from April 29 to May 4, a delegation from the Omachi Shonen Kendo Club visited Montreal. To honor this visit, our Montreal Kendo Club organized a series of activities including a team Taikai, Taiko drum demonstration, intense kendo practices, and lots of other fun stuff. Two of the ten Japanese visitors stayed at our house -- Mayumi and Akemi -- and we had so much fun together that we are seriously considering an extended visit to Japan.

I have a bunch of pictures that we took when our Omachi friends were here but I still have to prepare them for the Web. I don't have time to prepare all pictures tonight but here is a quick preview.

Kimura Ryuichi Sensei Royal Canadian Legion, Montreal May 1, 2004

Kendo Girls by the fire Smith Falls, Ontario May 3, 2004

Omachi Friends Smith Falls, Ontario May 3, 2004