Once again...

Pokemon is the answer. Not 42.

So two days ago I was walking back from work when I spotted a group of my junior high boys waiting for the bus, maybe about 7 of them having finished their club activity. I waved and said hello, and they gave me The Look (you know the Pony-Tiger look), only this time is was doubled as I had them cornered at the bus stop. I asked if I was scary, they looked at each other looked away, them mumbled something that I think was no, but was intelligible. Tried to make a bit more conversation, got more Looks, and finally said “see ya later” and made a retreat.

Then yesterday came around. I was walking back from work and spotted the same group of boys, only this time there were maybe 10 or 12 of them. I waved and said hello, fully expecting to get The Look, and really most of them did.

But then one brave soul decided to step it up a notch. He said hello back, but not in the usual mumbly sort of way. He did it in an exaggerated high pitched tone. I’m not sure if he was trying to make fun of me, of English, or just trying to be funny, but he did get a few laughs from his friends, and probably expected me to get fussy with him.

Little did he know I have no problem being goofy.

I stopped and imitated him imitating me, saying hello in an even HIGHER voice. This got more laughs, and the other boys got into it, and there was a round of hellos in varying octaves, until I finally went on my way, waving at them and telling them I’d see them later (still in an exaggerated voice).

In my head I could hear the small crack of ice breaking, just a little bit.

Now comes the answer to life, the universe and everything.

So later that day, after I had already arrived back at my apartment and changed out of my work clothes, I was leaving my apartment to go by food for breakfast tomorrow. As I was walking I heard some people calling out to me. I turned and saw a small group, I think about 4 or 5, junior high school boys walking not really toward me but in a fashion so that our paths would cross. I stopped and waved, and as they got closer they started another round of high pitched exaggerated hellos.

When they finally got tired of that a few minutes later, there was a small pause, a fidget, and finally one of the boys asked *a real QUESTION*! (In Japanese, but baby steps people, baby steps!)

“Do you *really* like pokemon?”

Rewind a bit back to my school wide introduction. I was told I needed to do an easy English intro about 2 minutes long for the kids right? And it consisted mostly of a lot of “I like ___. My favorite ___ is ___ “. The most reaction I got from the kids when I did the introduction was when I mentioned I played pokemon. I couldn’t tell then *what kind* of reaction it was, but any reaction is a good one lol.

And now it looks like it paid off.

I said yes I do really like pokemon, which sparked a discussion of what games and pokemon I like/have played. I spoke in a mixture of English and Japanese (saying something in English first, looking at their blank stares, then saying the same thing in Japanese, then repeating the English), and they spoke mostly in Japanese lol. But it was a real conversation that they seemed into. There was a bit of trouble when they kept mentioning pokemon I had no clue about, because they know the Japanese names of pokemon, and I only know the English names (some like Pikachu have the same name in both Japan and America, others like say Charmander have a completely different Japanese name). I explained there was a difference, then asked them to bring me pictures of the pokemon, so I would know which ones they were talking about. I don’t know if they actually will bring me pictures or not, but they were discussing it as we went our separate ways.

More cracks in the ice!

Pokemon is the answer!

The only other exciting thing that’s happened today is that I met the 9th grade social studies teacher. And in an island full of hidden Japanese Christians (Nagasaki prefecture is like the only place with Japanese Christians), he is a Shintoist, which is very exciting. And he speaks pretty good English. I asked if, when school starts, I could sit in on his class some time, and if we could talk more about Shinto, and he seemed reasonably excited about that ^_^b

And that’s that for today! My plan is to wait out the work day and then go home and get some cleaning done. I have Friday off, and I get two days of “summer vacation” that I can take anytime before august 31st, so I’m going to take them next Monday and Tuesday so I can have a 5 day weekend. (Which they’re fine with, my vice principle all week has been saying I should take my days off, and it’s customary to take them at the same time).

And then I will just get down on my hands and knees and *clean*, the way Mom wants to ;) . I wish there was someone else here for backup though, I’m so afraid I’m gonna move something and Spizilla or his sidekick Spiroach are going to jump out at me, leading an attack of all the creepy critters that have been laying in wait, plotting their revenge of their brethren that I’ve swatted or poisoned.

… If I don’t come back, avenge my death!

Now's the time I really do need blue dude. <.<

Blue Dude: "Why did you summon meeee?"

Robin: "..Clean the bathroom."

BD: "....I don't like this place...."

R: "Here's the sponge, go wild."

BD: "Send me back...."

R:"Don't be afraid to really dig into the toilet too."

*several minutes later Robin, cleaning the living room, and sees Spizilla*

Robin: "Sacrifice!"

Blue Dude: >.>



Oh and I <3 when people leave comments, its nice to know someone is reading this thing haha. Even if the comments they leave are not constructive <.< *coughseerowcough* ;)