Some days I feel as if my brain has died. Today was one of those days. And I believe it's probably even worse since I'm in a different country. I feel like whatever I do is wrong, and since I look like a warped version of a Taiwanese person, people here probably just think I'm retarded or just strangely off...
I know this is probably terrible to say, but I think over the course of dating Aaron for two years I have become complacent in being in a rut. While living together, we didn't really need to talk, and I sometimes think I've lost that ability to communicate with other human beings. Bu
t anyways, living in a dorm-like situation has forced me into the situation, and it's been good. I've missed being around people.Ok, back to life in Taiwan; Some strange aspects, according to their calendar, it's 1997. So eleven years off from the western calendar. And I'm still the shortest person in the crowd, even here in Asia. The girls are so beautiful and cute, and the boys are so pretty, makes me want to be more fashionable. ^0^ Oh well.
Tomorrow is the start of work, I teach 24 hours/week of kindergarten, and 6 hours/week of kids in grade 5, ag
es 11-12. It should be fun...although, my lesson plans for tomorrow is pretty much just winging it. I can't wait to get into some sort of normal schedule.
2 comments:
Funny, Connie. When we lived in Japan, the people thought that we were retarded too! We sort of looked like them, but did not dress or act like them. And of course, when they talked to us, some incomprehensible garble came out out our mouths. They did not know what to make of us until we asked if they could speak English. Then they understood!
When we made feeble attempts to speak Japanese, the results were hilarious. Once, Mom was admiring a baby and Mother on a train, and asked, "How much is that Baby?", like she wanted to make a purchase. We couldn't understand why the Mother had a horrified look on her face. It's amazing that she didn't just pick up the baby and ran for their lives. What Mom really wanted to ask was, "How old is that Baby?"
So enjoy every minute, you're getting some good material to write about later.
Connie, you and Dad brought back memories of the past.
When we were living in Okinawa, I once asked a grocer "how old is this?" instead of "How much is this?" He was so mad at me until he realized I was with an American, Kim Motoda. It is amazing how the slip of the tongue and the words ikutsu vs ikura can get a person in trouble.
This must be a recurrent theme in my life as Dad remembered another incident very similar...
I have a hard time with English also. Once when Vickie was little a lady asked me if Vickie was 18 months old. I replied, "No, she's a year and a half." Dad said they both looked at each other as I escorted the year and a half old child down the hallway.
It is very hard to look Oriental and not speak the language. Dad and I have been through this and living in Alaska was no exception. We looked Yupik and people spoke to us expecting us to speak back. I feel retarded at times, but it is better than being an ugly American.
Learn to master the language. If anyone can, you can. You have an amazing ability to learn. Ganbatte, ne! (Give it all you got)
Can't wait for more adventures. You have an amazing ability to write with ease and depth. I love reading about life "In the World".
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