When it was my turn I also have a favorite toast,

“Here’s to swimmen with bow legged women.”

The first time I used this toast I surprised everyone as two monks and the master lost control and sprayed the tea from their mouths.  The circle of novices, monks and observers grew quiet and looked from the master to back at me. The air was pregnant with the pause in teaching and conversation. After an eternity of moments my master nodded his head to me in approval. Learning abstruse subjects full of life’s questions can be serious.  But we must also remember to enjoy learning and have fun.

Satoru