Naming names

Erika. Eriko. Rui.
Takahiro. Takafumi. Naoto.
Chigusa. Chihiro.
Hiroto. Hiroki. Hiroatsu. Hiroshi.
Shiori-chan.
Syun-kun.

Onamae wa nan desu ka? (What is your name?)

These are just a few of my kids' names. To think that a year ago, the words coming out of their mouths were complete jibberish to me. To be quite honest, I am still very much lost in translation. But I can proudly decipher Japanese names, in addition to shouting out random Japanese words.

I can name all of the students at my base school. That's almost 300 kiddos! I can also point out my favorites who graduated onto high school last year. I also visit two elementary schools, but I've been having trouble commiting their names to memory. I do remember the ones that write me little notes or literally come knocking at my door after school.

Teachers and some of my friends are always surprised when I call each student out by name. I feel like naming names is a small way to make an instant connection with my students. I mean, I still can't hold down a basic conversation in Japanese with them. Plus, I am terrible at sports... so I just watch them during club activities on the odd day I feel like staying after school. (I did promise the soft tennis girls I'd make my second appearance on the court next week, so that they can teach me how to serve!)

In recent weeks, I've experienced a lot of frustration living in Japan. On little things, like not receiving omiyage like the rest of the teachers. But little glimmering moments remind me that my students keep me sane. I'm enjoying my "celebrity status" in Motomiya. The teachers in my staffroom fully believe that I spend all my time at the local MOS Burger restaurant and Yoku Benimaru, since all of the students will casually mention this to their teachers. But my most interesting run-in would have to be with the senior boys from baseball, who happened to be at the Asahi Beer Factory on my birthday. They still snicker in class when we do one of our lessons where the JTE asks: "Gemma-sensei, would you like to drink sake?" The whole class has to repeat it as well. Awkward.

So, yes, running into my students all over town is fun. Over the weekend, for example, I saw the brass band at Cafe Gusto. When I walked downtown with N., I ran into my fave 3年生 boys as they were perusing the manga racks at the local bookshop. There was even Kei-kun, who now sports massive manga hair, who was riding his bike - he was one of my students last year. At the Koriyama Stn., my little １年生 boys talked with me on their way to Mac (McDonald's). And at Plant 5, which is our local Costco-like store, I ran into Shou-kun who was busy eating ice cream.

The １年生 are the most enthusiastic - love those kids. Those who are shy will usually dash away, which I understand. I mean, who wants to talk with their teacher during their downtime?

Even the quietest "Herro!" makes my day.