At a loss for anything better to write, here is a list of odd moments I have thus far had in learning about Japan/Japanese:
Today I learned that "hentaigana" means "variant script," not "pervert alphabet."
I had to do some verbal peddling around to explain why kudzu (native here) is an "akushokobutsu" (evil vegetable- my construction due to limited vocab) in the American south to my supervisor.
Everyone listened politely at my welcome party while I mauled their language for about half a minute of self-introduction.
In order to communicate concerns about my canoeing trip tomorrow, my supervisor drew a cartoon of me in swim trunks and shaded in all the areas she thought I might get sun-burned (she colored everything except the swim trunks).
I taught the word "mushroom" to some elementary kids I went hiking with (terribly cute), and one little girl decided to point and call me "mushroom" for the rest of the hike.
The principle at one of the schools where I will be teaching jokingly introduced himself as "Janbosan" (lit. Mr. Jumbo- he is 10cm taller than me if I heard him correctly), but never clarified his real name.
Finally, I loudly interjected "nani desu ka?" (what is that?) in the middle of a siren/moment of remembrance for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Nobody seemed offended, but still...(how indelicate!)
That's all I can think of just now. Stay tuned for news of the canoeing extravaganza tomorrow.
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5 comments:
Jess!---enjoying your blog immensely----save it as fodder for future novel---cow uterus and all---rivaled only by Hannah's story of having to drink snake blood for Thanksgiving in China---how cool that your supervisor is an artist---did they match you with her for that reason? Hope you're over your jet lag by now. Keep the photos coming---your aunt deb in ATL GA
Jess! ----enjoying your blog immensely--- cow uterus and all----rivaled only by Hannah's story of having to drink snake blood for Thanksgiving in China----this is all good fodder for your future novel---how cool that your supervisor is an artist---did they match you with her for that reason?---hope you've gotten over your jet lag by now ---send more pictures----love, your aunt deb in atlanta ga
oops---thought i lost first comment----tried again---sorry about two almost identical comments---i'm too old to enter this arena!
love, your aunt deb
OH MY GOD. You are in japan. Oh my god.
*happy dance*
*mild squee*
It sounds like you're doing awesome. I just finished reading all of your posts. You're a brilliant writer, you know? And crazy that you managed to join in on the dance. I'm all proud of you and stuff.
Ok, so when you come back to America, your new nickname is Mushroom.
And I hope you enjoyed your iced coffee.
*love*
-sister type
Deb: Great to hear from you! You're not too old- I can barely operate some aspects of this blog, even.
Also- Diana: Mushroom will do, although you will have to through "badger" in there periodically to keep it interesting.
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