Damn You Kanji!

If I didn`t already know what buttons on LJ did what I swear I`d be screwed right now. Everything, save a few useless screens, are written in kanji which means I`m essentially illiterate, at least in Japanese. It`s kind of amusing, more novel at first, but it`s getting old quickly. I feel like I`m 5 years old again trying to talk with "adults," but I`m sure the feeling is mutual when Japanese people try to speak in English.

I have this feeling like I kind of want to be "set in my ways," but it doesn`t really last long. It`s no where near as bad as my "I feel stupid every time I come to class" phase I had when I was in Japanese class at UCLA. There weren`t many classes I busted my ass for studying just so I wouldn`t feel stupid the next time I sat in discussion (even though I know it was unavoidable). Now I just get to nod and smile pleasantly. Thank god for teeth that look straight and shine like the noon day sun!

Speaking of teeth, this whole "little brown rocks in your mouth" phenomena doesn`t seem to be as prevalent in Kyushu. The kids don`t look like they`re half-pirana (read: all snaggle-toothed), or maybe that`s just a Kumamoto/Misumi phenomenon.

When I have time to think, I keep wondering what everyone is up to since I`m not around. It`s one of those things that used to eat at my mind when I was in school, and was a reason why I never studied abroad. It doesn`t matter so much now, I realize...I can alway call them later. Unless I die between now and then (I don`t have any plans in that regard), there is always time to talk.

At school they`re calling me "Mr. Don," which I happen to find simultaneously very cute, and funny. It sounds something more like "Meesta` Don`" and I`ve even had someone accidentally call me "Udon" which makes for good amusement. In anycase, I`m posting at work, because school is out for the month of August, yet I have to be here everyday at 830am. At least I`m getting paid for doing nothing! Which is funny because in that case, this job bears a strong resemblance to the workstudy job (however, here I pay no rent, and they really put out to get me here...Probably $3,000 just to get my happy ass to Japan...sweet deal IMHO).

Okay...pretending to work some more, and later, and adult English class to teach!