Yes I can!!!!!

So this is life... Obama just had to say something that all of Japan could understand in three words.... YES WE CAN. Ever since then I have heard nothing but Yes, WE/I/YOU can from everyone. This tends to be after I ask a question and a response from those who prefer to be the one called on, or just a mocking voice from those who see that I am a gaijin (foreigner) and want to show off their English. Is is horrible- no- but annoying. Thus response to my day- I choose to free write about all the funny, annoying and ridiculous things that happen at school .....

First, NOW students are peering into the windows of the teachers room- hoping to catch a wave or just acknowledgement of being alive, I give the happy face and they run away.... Also at the same time if what could be better- they are playing Rock Paper Scissors to settle a job for the soccer team (probably the person who has to put down the obstacle course for the students.  The face in the window thing is normal jr high student, but the Rock Paper Scissors is a cultural thing. IT settles everything- from arguments of elementary students to choices of stocks for CEOs (ok maybe not stocks but have heard it used in every aspect of life here in Japan). It must be fate----!

Second, while in the first grade room (6th graders), I experienced something that I had to laugh out loud too. These first graders are straight off the elementary boat and still act like 5th graders and so they are so happy and energetic I love all the classes. And to add to this- my teacher reminds me of the Japanese Mofia- his appearance not personality. His looks are stiff and strict but personality is hilarious and very relaxed. The students love him and he definitely has their respect. Today at one very energetic point- the students were volunteering to write a sentence on the board. EVERYONE raised their hands (this never happens) so my teacher ventured to randomly pic students from the chart. He got to about 10 and the yells started- for they knew there would not be many more students to get a chance. I heard many Yes, I can-s, and ME ME ME ME-s and then it happened----- One very loud student got up from his desk and while raising his hand- walked to the front of the room in front of the teacher and waved his hand so much and yelled ME ME ME,,, well the teacher ignored it then- what happened made me Laugh out loud- the student then placed his raised hand on the teachers face- poking his eyes. I was so shocked and yet laughed when the teacher backed up and started asking the student what are you doing? and in japanese joked with him like he always does. Thus the laughter started- I know this means nothing to you but sit here and try to see it happen- there is pure chaos as students are writing on the board and then the student poked the teachers eye- that reminded me so much of elementary school (nazukashi desu-oh like old times). I love those times. How fun...

Now it is about 80 degrees everyday starting like at 6 am- there is a front moving in and summer behind it- this worries me.. I am sitting in the teachers room just so hot from the day and worn out- I am almost asleep.... The warmer it is the harder it is to stay awake at work- thus the battle begins. Also the women start wearing longer sleeves in hopes that their skin will not be touched but all I say is - "where's the sunshine?"-Please sing with me....

Next, I had to let the news go today that my b-day is this week- May 15th to be exact due to us talking about birthdays. But in Japan they are not that cool but since the students know my birthday they will all be singing the Birthday Song all day-(kinda reminds me of the yes, i can phenomenon) SO I shall prepare myself and venture into the day with joy for hearing lots of English. What am I doing for my b-day? Well going with some friends to my fav dinning spot- Natural Grace for their wonderful Tofu burger with salad and bread! IT is SO delicious. Then we shall venture to the Shidax Karaoke place to enjoy a few hours of intense singing and jigging till we can't jig any more- and last stop at a convenience store for some great 100 yen icecream- Kinda like the dolla menu at MCDonalds (Macrodonarudos- in Japanese). Keeping it low key and very traditional! Am I excited- well as my rents would say "after about my 15th b-day" I have not liked b-days. They are fun but yeah I am only 23 this year- maybe if i was 25 i could rent a car or something but 23 is just - well one year out of school and living in Japan so well I am just glad this gets all my friends together to enjoy ridiculous fun!

Well I have hit the 15 min mark, the last 15 mins of work- wed... EHHH. Today was great but SO busy- I have had prolly 1 hour or less to myself- which is not usual- but nice! This means I am tired from today for more than just sitting here and preping for next year! I worked hard today (as usual) but got to be in the classroom even more which was great! Also the Board of Educaiton came to watch some lessons for like 5 mins so all the teachers were so nervous- even the English teachers. Man it made it worse- we didn't just work together they looked like they were confused- but other than that- I was relaxed (it was a great practice for relaxing when this happens in the states- maybe it was that I do not understand or that they were there to watch the teacher really not me? not sure but I was relaxed- it was nice)

Also, I am the RIDA- leader for Bible Study this week and what has been on my heart is- God's love- even when you can't love.... The idea that not everyone is easy to love and yet we have more than just our love we have Gods love which can be seen through us even when it is a struggle to love. Romans 5:6-11- shows God ultimate love - while were were sinners and still so unlovable Christ dies for us... 2 Peter 3:9- He is patient with us- knowing all and yet is still patient with us- even if we are annoying... Galations 5:6b, 14-we have love expressed in our hope we have for our future eternity with God, and we are commanded to love one another... And also Ephesians 3:14-19 and Ephesians 5:25-27 which are examples of the love we should show in many ways. I was just struck by how unlovely I am to people many times and especially to those who I struggle to Love.... So I leave us with this.....

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.-Philipians 1:9-11. 

Oh yeah and these are great too (1Thessalonians 4:9, and Colosians 1:5-6)

Remember: When you find a great musician share them with your friends- then they many benefit from them too----- Hence- Check out Chris Taylor- I just bought his CD- sweet music sweet lyrics...

~MOlly