Japan
2004-09-22 @ 1:09 a.m.
Wow, I'm finally getting around to writing in this thing. Sorry I haven't written in so long everyone. I started to write last night but then I had Japanese class...that practically runs my life over here.
Alright, I have a TON to tell...where do I begin?
I left Oregon on August 24th, got to Tokyo August 25th cuz of the time difference. It took me awhile to get over jet lag, but after I stopped waking up at 5:00 in the morning, that was nice. God has been doing so much in my life. I've had a lot of free time that I've been able to spend in prayer, reading the Word and intercession. God is good.
My Japanese classes started in the beginning of September and I have about 5 every week. But it seems like I only do 3. And then I sometimes have private lessons with Yoko, who is the best teacher. If I just had lessons with her, I would learn way more than with anyone else.
I've also been helping teach English two days a week at an international school here to some kids. That's been pretty fun.
A couple weeks ago (my second Saturday here) I went to the Saturday night church service. I got a chance to get to know some people which was awesome. I got to talk to two of the girls. They didn't speak very much English, but way more English than my Japanese. Anyways, when I told them that I was fifteen they were really surprised. Everyone here thinks I'm like twenty or something. They did too. Anyways while we were talking another guy, Kevin, came in. He's an American although he looks Japanese. He's here as a missionary, he's about twenty or something. Anyways after we were done talking, I started to walk home, cuz I only live about ten minutes away. (wow, I'm talking as if I live here...) When I got outside it was POURING rain. POURING. I was looking forward to walking home in the rain, because I like the rain. I knew that I'd get soaked in about five seconds, but who cares?
I started to leave, but when Kevin (that's the guy I was talking to) realized I didn't have an umbrella he asked if he could walk me home.
"Oh, no, that's okay." I said,
But he insisted, so I finally let him. I felt stupid letting a twenty something year old guy walk me, a fifteen year old home. I was trying to figure out to tell him that I was fifteen, without making it sound stupid. But I wasn't sure how.
I told him I lived near the train station, so we started walking there. We kept walking. And walking. And walking.
It was really crowded out for being 10:00 at night and raining. That's one of the weird things about Japan, everyone stays out late. In fact, one of the rush hours is midnight. MIDNIGHT! Isn't that weird? Anyways...as I was saying...
Finally, I looked around, absolutely clueless as to where we were. I hadn't had a chance to explore the area yet, that's why I was so lost. Kevin looked at me and said, "You don't know where we are, do you?"
"No, I have no idea." I replied.
"Well, we're heading for the train station."
"I've always gone that way." I said as I pointed in the opposite direction.
"Oh...you mean the JR Station."
"YEAH!" Now I remembered Micki saying something about there being two train stations and that we lived closer to the JR one. Oops.
So we start walking towards the
"Oh! I recognize this place!" I exclaimed, gleefully. (okay, maybe that's a little dramatic)
"Okay good, where do we go then?" Kevin asked.
"Back that way." I said, pointing in the direction that we'd come from. Kevin rolled his eyes and laughed at me. I knew I was making a total fool of myself, but I didn't care. I was still worrying about how to tell this guy that I was too young for him. And wondering if he was interested in me or just being nice. I hoped beyond hope that it was the latter. At LONG last, we arrived at my apartment (for six weeks that is). I was VERY glad to get home, to say the least. I eagerly said good-bye and hurried inside, dripping wet. The umbrella didn't really do much.
The whole experience makes me laugh when I think about it. I made the biggest fool of myself. But I don't really care. It's just funny. Well, I'd better go now. Luv ya LotZ!
MERCEDES
Katelyn