The feeling of wearing short sleeves in a over-sleeved country!

Ohiyo Gozaimasuuu.(emphasis on the suuuuuu)! Hello again to all who are missing the posts since the big change in my numbers- No not social security or the percent of those who work in Japan and are from America, or the drop outs of teaching in a foreign country, or my understanding of the Japanese language, but my answer to the question who old are you? Now I say NI JU SAN SAI DESU. I am 23. Do  I feel older? What you gotta be joking me- I am 23 an have been teaching in  Japan I feel more than older- how about misplaced in a world of Japanese speakers.... Seriously there are cooler questions to ask. But to subside that break out- I do not feel misplaced but just a hightened sense that no matter how long I am here- no matter what color my hair is- I will never be Japanese. This seems funny to the onlooker but seriously when you live in another country sometimes you wish you could just blend in- but my genetic makeup and hair color and eye color will never change thus--- I will never be Japanese... (side note- If you are from another country and live in Japan all your life- you still will NEVER be Japanese- BUT if you live in America all your life- you are American? Of course but funny how this is different all over the world- American is more of a mix of races and ethnicities but as for other countries there is a more general basis for the title.-no offense  just something thought about in Japan). 

Back to the Birthday- it was wonderful! I was able to chill with very good friends here eat great food- Karaoke- and just be.... Also I was surprised by my students with little birthday cards, and one student who got me earrings- WOW - it was a small gesture but one that showed me LOVE. So my birthdays (two because of the time difference) were great. Friday night was Natural Grace- Tofu burger (yes please the best!!) Ice cream and lots of singing. Sat was eating dinner with my Japanese parents- Roberta and Takao and all my friends! What a great time then shopping for Peanut Butter and going to church! What a great blessing! (also i got vanilla syrup and have made vanilla lattes every morning- What a great thing- great coffee!).

Other than that- this update had a purpose but I was taken by my account of my birthday- SO I shall go to class now that is is 850 time to head up- and get back to you about why I am blogging! OK! later

Ok this took a turn- a day turn. I got back from class only to leave for the day! What a great surprise. I spent the afternoon up at my favorite spot- Starbucks-which was playing old jazz music- which soothes the aching head and got to study, read, and look for plane tickets back to the states. Ehhhh, the time is coming when I will return to what is known as America and I am looking forward to that day with great apprehension. I have to move everything for one, and two I have to re-acclimated myself to speaking English all the time, understanding what is going on, and having less free-time. I am excited yet not- as you see. So till then there is a lot to do and thing just pick up from here- 8 weeks away- and it seems like tomorrow. So this is my warning- prepare yourselves- for what lies ahead- the return of Molly (MauLLEEE) to America. Are you ready? 

Next, Today's skits in class have left a few great stories. Please think about this- you are at customs section of the airport and you hear- NEXT (from the officer) you see a short Japanese student walk up and say "Hello"- very happy and genki! Show me your passport, the officer says- "OK. Here you are." What is your name?" -"John Lennon and I am from America!" At that moment the guards come and tackle this little kid and take him to be questioned where he thus say "I don't understand we didn't practice this in English Class." ---- A sad story but true if what we did in class was actually real. They are supposed to practice what it would be like to go to customs so they are prepared if they ever go to another country. And the dialogue in the book is pretty good but when they do their own skits- ORIGINAL skits- things are spiced up. I have heard- John Lennon, Clinton, and America- everyone who is famous is from there right?? And Welcome to Japanese! To these things I say- the officers will never be that happy to see you and ask you so many great questions and offer advice, like OH you can see many temples in Kyoto. or when one girl responds to the question " Why are you here" she says " I am doing a report on the new FLU!" The officer says "Do you have a mask" and the girl says "of course" And thus is lead into Mexico- no JOKE! What did we learn from this- Custom officers are a great source for traveling advice, Lennon is from America, and masks protect you from the NEW FLU of course.  My teachers job was done to confuse students to thinking life is always nice and pleasant- I hope sometime the reality will kick in for these students and hopefully NOT when they are in line for customs. HEHEHE It was quite funny and I enjoyed it but, hehehe but I question to what authenticity are we going for- what life should be or reality! HHEHEE again- English is fun so no worries but I do stop and wonder....

Well it is about 10:50 pm on the second day of this blog- so I decided- sleep and a new blog tomorrow would be better. Why wait so long! Any who things are great here winding down- aka me taking advantage of my free time, long bike rides at 10 pm just cuz, that kinda stuff! Enjoy the rest of the week and the weekend... Summer is drawing close

Remember: When you have to strap the toilet paper you bought to the back of your bike- bring a bungee- it won't stay on there itself!

~MOlly