When in doubt, point them out!

Let's differences!

Part of my job as an "internationalizer" is to stand in front of classes and open the door to their curiosities. Here are some things they reacted to:

1. Today a student saw that I was wearing wool socks, as I had to stand on the cold gym floor for the closing ceremony. being a smart one, she zeroed in on the hole near my left big toe. She then proceeded to erupt into an orgasm of giggles. At first I thought she had had an episode of diarrhea by how much she was convusling but then I realized she had to point out something negative about me, and the sock filled that need quite well. In the defense of my woolies, they are warm and toasty. Also, feet are too big to find cozy replacements here in Wa country. Plus they were a Christmas present from my sister, which adds to their aura all that much more.

2. A few weeks ago, I had a cold and the nose was running full bore. Add a bounty of chalk dust (why chalk is still king in a 9 year old school is another issue altogether) and I was sneezing up a storm. It was about as entertaining for the kids to watch me as it is for me to ride the trains here and watch the Japanese public mine for nose and ear nasties as they groom their way to their respective destinations.

I can remeber as a kid we tried to be mean to substitute teachers. That concept doesn't seem to be too popular in Japan, as people rarely take sick leave, or vacation for that matter. In this way it ends up that the sick, but nonetheless present teacher is valued more than the genkifying absent one.

And by the way, Merry Christmas to all those I know