This isn't really an update...just a little
funny instance.Ý So now that school is finally over I go into the Board
of Education everyday, which is good because I get things in the
mail in all Japanese that I have no idea what they are.Ý Such was
the case yesterday and I brought it to the guy who could translate
it for me...a good friend of mine here.Ý He told me that it dealt
with the electricity and how it will be shut off on friday since
they were changing some things.Ý No big deal.Ý Later that afternoon,
when I returned home and was on my way into the shower I get a call
from this guy asking me if it was okay for him to stop over quickly.Ý
Oh okay but I'm about to go into the shower...he said it would only
take a minute.Ý Okay I thought but I have to go pretty soon I might
as well shave and get ready to shower anyway.Ý So I am in only in my
boxershorts with a face half shaven, half shaving cream when he knocks
on the door.Ý I open it and it's the man with his two daughters...who
luckily are only 5 and 3... but they were surprised just the same...and
I was too...They were bringing me a gift for my birthday which was
last week...I made the "ceremony" a quick one.Ý Today I thanked the
man again and apologized for my lack of a better appearance...he
laughed and apologized for coming when he did...Ý ÝÝÝ One thing
about Japan is that everyone always apologizes to everyone else.Ý
I remember when I first was learning how to ski and I ran into a
bunch of people from behind...actually I plowed them down...and they
got up and said they were sorry.Ý I just think to myself "sorry for
what? that you don't have eyes in the back of your head and you couldn't
avoid the out of control foreigner who bowled you over?"Ý Just the
Japanese way.Ý Ý Oh by the way, in case I didn't tell you, my sumo
story that I sent ya'll got published in a national paper for english
speakers...pretty cool.Ý It has my by line, mugshot, and action photo
(courtesy of my friend Kristin Mann).Ý Not only did I get that honor
but I also got some money for it.Ý Makes up for the fact I didn't
get an award.Ý Ý This wasn't so little.Ý