[Extremely delayed photos (last Saturday) totally unrelated to the entry]
My cutest friend, Keiko, dead asleep
Anpanman assembly line
I taught young grasshopper how to solve the rubick's cube
Mitsuko san gave me a yukata!...but she made me put it on myself :(This week was not one of those weeks (see previous post).
All my students were genki and enthusiastic. Instead of blank stares, there were smiles and probing questions (okay...not probing, but much deeper than the usual blood type/hobby routine). "Do Americans drink only juice?" "Can you introduce me to your brother?" "What English music do you recommend?" "Why don't you like Avril Lavigne?" This may seem surface level to you, but it's progress to me. These simple questions are a big step for them. You don't learn "Why don't you like Avril Lavigne" in a textbook, and therefore they constructed it all by themselves and were brave enough to ask it.
I was invited to have family dinner with the Parry's, I received candid feedback at Bible study, I made some new friends at the onigiri kitchen, and I was appointed unofficial RWC Tour photographer. Again, simple things. But these simple things are what transform a job into an unforgettable opportunity. These are things that make me feel like a part of this big collective bundle, and not just a temporary guest.
Kelly and I talked a bit about our eventual return and reverse culture shock. Would it really be worse than when we arrived in Japan? Would the comforting familiarity outweigh the nostalgia? She brought up a good point: One of the biggest shocks will be blending in (that's right...we thrive on celebrity status). We will just be 2 of a million blonds with curves and freckles. I will no longer be the tallest or fattest. I'll no longer be the guest of honor at school or the exotic gaijin on the streets. I will no longer catch old men staring at me on the train (hopefully) or little children with their mouths gaping open as I ride by the kindergarten.
Will that be a relief? Or will I crave the attention? I'm not sure yet. It's nice to blend in, isn't it? But it sure is nice to stand out every once in a while. Now that I am finally starting to be a friend to my students, with a bit of fame on the side, I'm not sure if I'll be ready to go back to being just me in America.
3 comments:
I love Keiko. I love those girls. So cute!
I wish I could tell you that it'll all be okay when you come back. But it probably will be very strange.
BUT - I can offer to take you to sushi. At an authentic sushi/Japanese place, where there are a lot of Japanese. I get stared at every time I'm there. But not as much as celebrity, as much as, "what are you doing here?" You know, sort of how they stared at us at the sushi place in Japan.
Not quite as helpful.
When you come home, I'll walk behind you and check you out, or something.
oh, wait - I already do that. ;)
I love you. No words of advice, because I have no idea what you're going through. But I will listen when you need to talk about it. I can promise that.
you could never be "just you" anywhere in the world. ever. can't wait to see you.
as always, i LOVE your post. the photos are hilarious and i feel such a peace knowing that our mindsets are similar at this point. forget meg's offer for sushi-- lets enjoying yakisoba!!! and lets read "engrish.com" every day when we're in the states and laugh together as only we will be able!!! <3 you
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