School of Models

Everyone here at OCC looks like they just stepped off the catwalk. I attended 3 classes today and repeated a game of introductions, and the entire time I was distracted by their style. Though every girl seemed like she had thrown on everything in her closet (cowgirl boots, knee high socks, tights, a mini skirt, 3 shirts, and 14 accessories), not one item appeared twice. So in three classes of ~25 girls, I think I saw more articles of clothing than I saw my entire Roberts career.

Anyway...fashion aside, today was great. Not all of the girls were friendly or curious, but most were. And of course, every class asked if I had a boyfriend, followed by "ooos" and "ahhhhs," followed by, "I am envious," or, "Does he have a friend?" Overall, today was not as embarrassing as I feared and got me pumped for tutoring and getting to know the girls better.

My favorite part of the day, however, was tea time with Tomoko. She spontaneously invited me for a date after reading my testimony for chapel (she is interpreting for me). I think she was more devastated than I am that my dad left our family, and wanted to talk about it. She bought us Starbucks' treats and made hot tea, and we chatted about dysfunctional families, my wedding, suicide rates in Japan, Christianity in Japan, and more. And as I left, she said "Goodbye my daughter!" She began working here right before I did, and I seriously can't imagine what this experience would be like if she weren't hired...she is definitely a Godsend (and I rarely consider people or events to be the will of God).

I will be heading to my first Japanese class tomorrow night, though this is really just an initial evaluation to determine which level I will be enrolled in (I could save them the trouble and just tell them "beginners," but it's important to follow protocol here...). I want to at least nail down my Katakana before then, but it is impossible! Advice: If you ever decide to move to Japan, learn Katakana before Hiragana. Despite what the experts say, Kelly and I agree that it is slightly more important to be able to buy food than to be able to spell out verb endings. I can't possibly focus on drinking if I can't distinguish juice from vinegar. ..