Samurai She-Go

While the guys were gone in Alaska, we decided to have our own silly, feminine version of a roll call and naming. For those who are unfamiliar with the fighter pilot world - a "role call" is essentially an official work party where the guys get together in the squadron bar after work on a Friday and drink, tell silly stories, sing fighter pilot songs and select call signs for new people. Many spouses in the fighter world have their own naming ceremonies, and all get matching party dresses (made out of old flight suits.) We decided to be a little more original and pay homage to our Samurai mascot by all getting Yukatas (summer cotton kimonos) instead! Some of us went with our squadron colors of blue and yellow, but we're pretty lax about things like that. It was mostly just fun to get all dressed up and tell silly stories about the ladies who have been in the squadron the longest.

 Each person would come up front and sit in the hot seat while people told silly stories about them. Then we came up with call signs inspired by those stories, voted on the one we liked, and officially dubbed them with our very ancient plastic samurai sword. =^)

After the naming, we all went out and sang Karaoke. The Japanese people in there were highly amused that we were all attempting to wear kimonos. We had fun with it, though! Now I can say that I've participated in real Japanese karaoke. B^)