Just got back from the quasi-department store on the island. It certainly has what one would call "departments" but the whole building is about the size of the produce section at a Super Target. It's super cute. I wanted to pick up some goggles, so I can go swim laps in the ocean near my house, and a white t-shirt, so I can see if I still more or less fit the higher end of Japanese sizes. And I do!
On my way out of the store however, I walked over to where the bikes were, and threw my stuff in one of the baskets, only to look down and realize this was not my bike. There were two kids from the local elementary school sitting over on a bench who I had said "Hello" to on the way in, who started cracking up when they realized what I'd done, as I awkwardly walked over to the other bike rack and unlocked my bike. As I'm driving off I decide to stop and ask them which school they go to, first in English, which made them turn to each other and start frantically trying to figure out what I just said, and then in Japanese because they didn't seem to be quite at that level yet (they were probably about 5th graders, so that means they know like...colors, numbers, animals, "I am name"). They go to the Wan Elementary, which is the main town. It's also the biggest school on the island, and my predecessor had a hell of a time teaching there because it has classes with 60-70 kids in it.
A group of middle school girls walked out somewhere around this time, and I told them all I was going to be the new English teacher starting next month (in Japanese, it's a habit I need to start breaking. I want to speak mostly English with them at first, and maybe maybe fill in the gaps if they are completely lost.), and the customary losing of shits occurred. The middle school girls actually knew my name, I suspect from Ilsa, though who knows. Either way, I think the fact that I am inherently a very clumsy, awkward person 90% of the time is really going to help to not scare the crap out of all the kids. My alarmingly high tolerance for embarrassment plus my alarmingly high proclivity for doing embarrassing things might turn out to be my greatest asset. Also, let it be known that I am super cool among girls aged 7-15. Tell your friends.
From now on, I'm also going to be taking my camera with me pretty much everywhere. It's not like there's anything even resembling crime on this island. I suspect the ants come closest. I'll open up a flicker account or something and put the address up here, and start throwing the worthwhile photos up on there. For now, I'm off to the beach. I need to field test my new goggles, and go get really really tired. Summer festival tomorrow. Should be a riot.
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