Lost

So, what is being lost? How about not being able to read Kanji and ending up on another island? I accidentally took a wrong exit/branch and it took me to a one way toll bridge entrance. I got the attention of a worker and he kindly gestured for me to stay to the left. At least that's what I thought he was saying. It turns out he meant for me to pull over to the left. I didn't understand and ended up on a very big bridge. Although the speed limit was 50 km/hr (about 35 mph) everyone was going about 120 km/hr. I ended up on the other side about twenty minutes later and tried to explain to the workers on the other side that I was lost and accidentally got on the Seto-Ohashi Bridge (picture above).They gestured how to get back to Shikoku and took down my plate info to call the other side to prepare them for my arrival. They were all so nice and understanding. How bad do I feel that I don't speak Japanese at this point? Pretty bad. The whole drive over the bridge the first time I was just telling myself "what an adventure! Oh well that I'm in a fix...look at the beautiful ocean, islands, clouds, and sunset whilst on this crazy journey."

My work schedule is crazy. Most days I start at 8:30am and don't end until close to 9:00pm with little breaks-depending on the day. I have Sundays and Mondays off. The kids in the elementary schools are a kick. Funny how you can tell who the class clowns are without even knowing what they are saying. One little boy in particular at Utazu Kita Elementary is quite a character. We have been learning how to introduce ourselves at UKE. The teacher introduced a new song to teach the word 'tomorrow' to the students. It's the famous song from Annie. It was the first time I've heard the words clearly enough to understand them. What a sad song. I got teary eyed thinking about home every time I heard it. We listened to it 3 times each class period for a total of 24 times over the last few days. Yet, it opened my eyes to a new idea. Annie was a sad little girl who always had hope and optimism that tomorrow would be happier. The sad part was that tomorrow was always a day away. Tomorrow's happiness was always postponed. It never arrived.

Last night I was out late with a new friend from the Marugame Branch, Kristin, who was kind enough to spend 3 hours shopping and showing me how to prepare a Japanese dish. I met a friend of her and Kevin, Adam. Several of my students are very hesitant to talk. As I've talked with more of them I've learned it is because they do not have a good vocabulary. I definitely need to take my dictionary with me to explain what things are better. 3G or 4G would be great in these parts for my job!

The Branch here is very friendly, just like all the other Japanese people I've met to date. Half of the Branch Presidency is American. The R.S. teacher did not show up to teach so the RSP had me and another sister bear our testimonies...for only 10 minutes!! After my testimony they had a Q&A session. One of the questions reminded me of my stereotypical impression of the Japanese culture. The sister (shemai) asked "What is you life motto?" I was sort of taken off guard but replied that my motto was to love and serve others as Christ would love and serve them if He were here. One shemai said something in Japanese to which several shemai nodded their heads. The translator said 'they say you are cute.' Many Japanese men and women have asked if I am single. When I say yes they seem somewhat surprised. One of my 6th grade students called me a 'beautiful woman.' Then said, pointing to me then himself, "beautiful woman, handsome man, love love love love." All of this was in Japanese of course. Troy was translating for me. I wonder what they are saying because they know I don't understand.

My boss continues to be difficult to understand and many times just assumes I know exactly what I'm doing and need minimal instruction. That's a little frustrating but I know that for most things I can turn to Troy.