The Road to Royalty: Tokyo’s Irish Parade Queen Pageant Part 2

[The Venue]


All 12 girls and Dane walked the two blocks to the venue. We arrived at 5ish for hair and make-up, though the event wasn’t to start until about 7. People were running around setting up. Flashes of green, white and orange flew by as balloons were blown up and streamers were hoisted.

The Venue

Dane ushered us upstairs where we saw rows of TopShop bags. We were to find the one with our name and take a seat until hair and make-up was ready for us. I watched as a team of about 15 hair and make-up artists ran around setting up tables, turning on hair straighteners, and dusting of make-up brushes. I was nervous. I couldn’t sit still, but we were confined to this little room. I had taken a half day from school, and left after lunch. I wasn’t hungry all day, but had made myself eat a small lunch, since I figured once things got going their probably wouldn’t be much time for food. At school only Keima and Namiko knew I was doing this and they smiled knowingly as I struggled to eat some rice and fish from the school lunch.

Section O' Keito

While I waited, I saw a picture of myself in my casual 70‘s themed outfit, on the table in front of me. A hair girl turned around and called me over. She curled and twisted things in an effort to try to get a hippy look, then took it to a Japanese level when she added the braid in top of my head. Not something I would usually wear, but whatever. I was too nervous to care. Make-up was next, then clothes. In between we made bathroom runs and practiced our answers, I felt for the girls in which English wasn’t their first language. As soon as we were dressed we were to run downstairs to take pictures in front of a backdrop. All the while I was texting anyone available to try to calm myself. Each girl had gotten one ticket to give to a friend, and Sinapi was coming, she was keeping me calm while en route. I couldn’t wait to see her. 

Make-up

Hair

Hangin in outfit number 1

All of a sudden it was time.

[The Walk]

We fashioned our blinking numbers to our shoulders, and lined up in order. I hung back as I was last. This first walk out we were to stop and smile as our outfits were discussed. Finally it was my turn, I stepped up and walked out, straining to hear my requested, Born this Way. I walked to end, smiling the whole time, did some (I`m assuming) awkward poses and headed back, but the MCs had only just finished talking about my shirt. So, I turned around and walked out again. I felt a little silly but what was I going to do. I walked off the stage then sprinted upstairs to change. I was talking with a few of the girls who also said that the cat-walk was smaller than they had realized, and apparently everyone had done a few laps. I felt a bit better. I ripped off my jeans and threw on my dress. Walked over to the hair people and they threw it up. Reviewed my answers again and headed back down to get in line. 

[The Questions]

We went up 3 at a time, then walked out one at a time. I was still stuck on the soccer question, I knew I couldn’t cuss on stage, Anthony was right, I was in a dress and this was for the title of queen. I could envision my mom next to me telling me I was crazy to even be considering saying such a thing. On stage. In public. In a dress.

But she wasn’t here, and I was 24.

The lovely Anthony

Dane walked by as I was seated on a chair listening to numbers 4, 5, and 6 give their answers.

“Dane!” I yelled as he walked down the row checking on us. He turned.
“Can I say crap on stage?” I asked. I was last in all of this and, wanted to use that position to my advantage. I wanted my answer to be memorable.
He gave me a puzzled look then laughed, I told him what the question was. “Well,” he said, his British accent lingering in the air while he thought, “I’m gonna leave that one up to you,” he smirked and walked away.

Well that helped in no way.

I was up. I stood on the edge of the stage smiling at everyone, and trying not to think about the fact that they were staring at us. I found Sinapi in the front row taking pictures like it was her job. She has earned herself the nickname, "Snaperazzi" and man was she living up to it.

“AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST,” I could hear Anthony begin to introduce me, “NUMBER TWELEVEEEEEE, KATE BOHAN!”

The audience cheered as I stepped to the mic and gave a little wave.

“FIRST QUESTION,” Anthony's voice boomed, “WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE THAT SAY, GIRLS CAN`T PLAY SOCCER??”

In the calmest, most confident voice I could muster, I began my answer, “I would sayyyy (I paused, then mater of factly continued)…that’ssss crap.” A girl in the front row let out a scream of support, and the audience laughed then clapped. I could hear a few girls in the back cheer me on with support.

I laughed then continued, “I just think that`s silly. I have been playing soccer since I was seven, growing up in southern California, everyone plays. I never thought of it as a unique skill, until I moved here. But it is so nice to have something from home that I can do here.”

“Oh interesting!!” Anthony commented. “Ok Miss Kate, and the last and final question of the night, What would it mean to you to be the first ever Tokyo Irish Parade Queen?!”

“It would mean a lot! I’m half Irish and that has always been a part of me, but even more so since moving to Japan. When I first arrived here and was surrounded by everything new, new culture, people, language, everything, and then to see something as simple and familiar as a shamrock amongst all the newness…it just resonated with me in a place I didn’t expect. It would be a great honor to be the parade queen.”

“Thanks so much Miss Kate! Ok folks…” Anthony began explaining the voting procedure as we all gathered on the stage for one last walk around. Then it was voting time.

[Results]

We were ushered upstairs. To wait. We peaked down and at the list of email addresses and watched the people milling about, no doubt discussing their decisions.

wishin, and hopin, and prayin...

And once again, all of a sudden it was time. We were brought down on the stage and lined up. We all smiled and waved, every time I made eye contact with Sinapi I laughed, still in disbelief that I was on a stage vying for a crown.

The envelope was passed and they called the 3^rd place girl, we all cheered. She gave one of those bittersweet smiles to show that she was excited, though disappointed she was 3^rd.  I couldn’t decide if I wanted to hear my name called or not. If it was called next, that would mean I got 2nd! But that would also, mean I wasn’t 1st...

As I pondered, Zandra’s name was called. My friend from earlier had gotten 2nd! She too was excited and disappointed all in one.

“Their’s no way,” I thought to myself. My money was on Jackie, the girl actually from Ireland. She had become one of my favorite people in the pageant and though I couldn’t see how the other girls did with the audience, I figured if I was a fan of hers, others would be too. All this was milling around in my mind as I heard...“KATE BOHAN!”

3...

2...

Queen!
I look the least queen like by far...

OHMYGOD. No. Way.
Sinapi just about died laughing in the front row and I had to physically force myself to step forward to receive the crown and shake hands. Smile. Thank people. Talk about...I can’t even remember. Camera’s flashed. Music played. I had no idea what was going on.

Sinapi and I
SO SO glad she was there!

After that the rest of the night was a complete whirlwind.
I was ushered, along with the other top 3 finalists, to take pictures in front of a backdrop, then we were interviewed for Fashion TV, then it was more shaking hands and smiling. I met a few big name people, including Ireland’s ambassador to Japan. Lovely man.

Victory jig with Anthony 

I was interviewed for few papers

All I remember thinking was that I was starving. I hadn’t eaten in a long while and people were forcing drinks in my hand, I was taking polite sips before ditching them on various tables. We don’t need a “plastered Parade Queen” title starting day 1.

I took countless pictures with people, was told by a few that they voted for me, which was so sweet to hear. The girl who had screamed in support of my soccer answer came up and threw her arms around me. Apparently, she was originally from New York, she told me my answer solidified her vote, and then said she made all her friends vote for me too. Nice.

Then it was time to head to the bus for the after party, I ran upstairs to grab all my stuff. Bending down to pick up my clothes with one hand holding my tiara with the other...surreal.


[The Day After]

I woke up Thursday to see my tiara next to a bottle of water next to my bed. “Well this is new,” I thought to myself.

Morning!

I called in sick (I promise you it was ok!) and was headed to TopShop for another fitting. This time for an outfit to wear to the parade the following Sunday. That night I was offered tickets to see Tokyo’s professional basketball team, the Apaches, play at the former Olympic stadium. I no doubt accepted. I was even offered a ticket to bring a friend, and Sinapi was coming back for round two. 

TopShop fitting 2.0, it was decided that the dress would be worn again for the parade.

A more casual queenie outfit.

I showed up to the stadium and was told to enter through the VIP entrance. I saw a Bentley and figured I’d found it.

That night my only task was to wear my tiara and sash, a new outfit, and hand out stickers to people as they walked in. I was also set to take a few promo pictures. 

There were food and drinks everywhere and a few of the people I had gotten to know from the entire process. Dane was there of course, along with the band from the previous night, the photographer and a few other big company heads. 

Then it was game time. Court side baby!!! Sinapi and I giggled, jaw dropped, as we were ushered to our plush seats on the court. It gets better...

Seated next to us was a little family from the states, they were military and had the cutest baby ever. They were apparently friends with the african american couple on their other side, also with a US accent, as they were passing the baby back and forth. 

Sinapi struck up a conversation, as she does with all people, and the father of the baby starting telling us where they were from and what they were doing in Japan. We did the same. He then offered that they were also excited to be sitting court side and had gotten the tickets from the Bryants. Sinapi clearly didn’t have the reaction he was anticipating, so he continued, “You know...Kobe Bryant? Ya these are his parents.”

We immediately busted out our iphones to google. Sure enough.

I had watched the majority of players acknowledge him as the ball went out of bounds in our direction, say hi or call him coach. Apparently way back when, Mr. Bryant used to coach Tokyo’s team. Small world.

We ended up chatting with them for a bit and took a picture, such a sweet couple. We talked about the plethora of dead fish that had recently up and died in the Redondo Beach Harbor, we discussed Japan and how different it is from the US, but has a draw to it that is tough to explain.

Then the game was over. It was time for more food and drinks, a few pictures, before heading home to bed, then to work on friday.

Exchanging business cards, it really is an art in Japan.

[Friday, March 11]

I showed up to work exhausted, but put on my genki face and powered through the day. They kids just had graduation practice as graduation was Saturday, and we had off on Monday to compensate. I had the parade Sunday, and was looking forward to a day to sleep in. Partying with a tiara and sash takes its toll. 

That day I was allowed to leave after lunch since the kids just had practice, and I had called in sick the previous day, so I could make my TopShop fitting...SHHHHH. So my VP said that I should go home and rest, since I was "sick" the day before. Excellent.

I went home, napped, watched TV, was about to get up and be productive, when the earth shook like it never had before, causing tragedy in catastrophic proportions, bringing the parade and my other fun weekend plans down with it. 

The parade never happened. And as well all know, I went home to CA to escape radiation and deal with cancer. 

Only now am I getting back into the swing of things and participating in other fun Irish Queenie events.  

[Earthquake Support]

Irish Network Japan (INJ) is selling shirts that were originally intended for the parade, but since that didn’t happen, they have added a claddagh symbol and decal that supports Japan. 

The shirts are currently selling for 2000 yen, about $25, ALL of the proceeds are going to disaster victims. I know I had a few family and friends who wanted to donate knowing where the money was going. I would strongly urge you to support this cause if you can. The shirts are super cute, and honestly really soft. :) I rock mine all the time.

Front 

Back
The Japanese is the Kanji for Tokyo

If you are interested in ordering one, email me at kathrynbohan@gmail.com and let me know. I am happy to ship from Japan, and for those of you in LA, I will be coming home from July 28-Aug 28 so I can just hand you yours.

In action: The INJ group selling shirts

Please help if you can, it would be so much to the poor people who were hit by this record setting tragedy. 

Earthquake surviving, tiara toting, 
Kate

The Road to Royalty: Tokyo’s Irish Parade Queen Pageant Part 1

*This post is about 3 months late in coming...gomen (sorry)!

[And so it begins...]

In early March, Maya and I headed to a party in the Roppongi area of Tokyo. We were meeting up with two of her coworkers to head to a party. Aside from Maya, I knew no one we were set to meet. We found Anthony and Yukiko at the train station and all of us broke out our iphones in an effort to find this party. Anthony and I walked and talked. I instantly loved him. Of Irish heritage but raised in England, he had lived and taught in international schools all over the world. Excited to meet someone else Irish I shared that I was 1/2 Irish, which was then solidified when I shared my full name. Kathryn Terese Bohan. Does that not conjure up a picture of a shamrock to you?

Still trying to find this party, now seemingly walking aimlessly, a light bulb went off in Anthony’s head and he let out a gasp. He turned to face me and we stopped dead in our tracks. “Ohmygod! I just had THE best idea!” he squealed. He explained to me that in a few weeks he was set to MC the 1st annual Tokyo Irish Parade Queen Pageant and, I just HAD to apply.

I immediately waved him off.

”I don’t knowwwww...I’m not really a pageant person.” I said hesitantly, trying to be polite but knowing that there was no way I was going to be involved.

He persisted, “Kate ohmygod you would be just perfecttttt! I met a few of the girls applying today and they don’t hold a candle to you!”

”That’s sweet, but you met me all of like 3 blocks ago, and I’m sure the beers we’ve consumed on our walk only helped in my favor.” Well done Japan for their lack of an open container law.

But he wouldn’t let up. Ignoring all my resistance, he started hitting me with details of this pageant. The only requirements were that the applicants be...

-20 years old

-Must show an interest in Ireland

-Must be available March 9th and 13th

-Be willing to do 4 other social meetings in 2011

-Must enjoy holding the title of Parade Queen for 1 year

-Must currently reside in Japan and be intending to stay for the next 12 months.

I didn’t even have to speak Japanese. As I had just re-contracted, solidifying my time in Japan until at least July 2012, all those things now officially held true for me. I could feel myself wavering. I had told myself to try anything and everything, and Anthony assured me that I wouldn’t have to prance around in a bathing suit.

“Here,” he shoved his phone in my face, “just look at the prizes.”

·         The winner will become "St Patrick's Day Parade Queen" and will walk at the head of the parade on Sunday 13th March, among many other fantastic events you will be asked to attend throughout the year.

·         Wins a 200,000 Yen Folli Follie Shopping Voucher to use at one of their stores in Tokyo

·         Wins exclusive membership to the Folli Follie VIP members Club Card Program.*less than a 100 people in Japan have this privilege.

·         Have your photo and interview in one of Tokyo's premier magazines.

·         1 night stay for 2 people at the Bay side Marina Hotel In Yokohama

·         1 Case Of Wine

·         1 lady's and 1 men`s wrist watch

·         "Gen Okamoto: Artist/Graphic designer. Print making White Wedding (2008) Etching, Aquatint, Mezzotint"

·         1 Set Of Assorted Oils

·         Pair of Half day tickets with "I Love Canoe" in Minakami

·         Half Day Studio Photo Shoot wit JW Photo including 5 x A4 prints and 1 x A3 print

·         4 snow lift tickets to various resorts in Japan

·         30,000 yen Champagne gift set

·         80,000 yen cosmetic gift set

·         3 x 1 month memberships to Zoader Capoeria academy for you and your friends

·         1 month worth of private 1 on 1 lessons at Tempo boxing.

·         60,000 yen worth of water purifying products

·         5,000 yen BierVana food and drink Voucher

·         Flowers by Garland Fair

·         1 x 18year old bottle of Jameson Whiskey

Fine. I was in.

After a good 25 minute walk around Roppongi, we found the club and stopped outside to exchange contact information. As the iphone waited for me to enter the first name of my new friend, I turned to asked if he preferred Tony or Anthony. I looked over to see an extremely focused Anthony spelling out each letter of my name, he typed, “p-a-r-a-d-e-q-u-e-e-n.”

Oh geez.

It didn’t stop there. EVERY person we meet that night, Anthony was sure to introduce me as the Parade Queen. By the end of the night he was grabbing any guy that walked by ushering him in my direction, screaming, “and THIS is Tokyo’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen!!” Then wink at me and walk away. Needless to say, I made LOTS of friends that night.

Lovely night in Roppongi

[Auditions]

I showed up to a bar I had never been to in Tokyo for auditions. I knew only slightly what to expect, as is most situations I enter into in this country. Anthony had been a great guide. Giving me tips on what to wear, “casual yet together” he instructed. Got it. I knew there was going to be a panel of 3 people set to interview me, I was going to have my picture taken, and most likely meet some of the other girls. And that was about all I knew.

The bar was lovely, and I was surprised how relieved I felt to see shamrocks all over the place. It was so comforting to see something that I related to so much, all these miles away. I was greeted with a warm hello by a few different people, and a beer was instantly placed in my hand. Casual it is then.

I was ushered over to have my picture taken then to the long table to join the other 15 some girls, while I waited to be interviewed. Anthony had told me that they expected about 20 some to apply which was going to be brought down to 12 for the actual pageant. I was there mostly for the experience, at least that’s what I told myself to keep calm. But I wanted to be in that top 12. The final 12 would be taken to TopShop for a fitting. Every girl would be fitted, then given, two outfits for the pageant, one casual, one formal. I figured I could at least get that far.

The girls were great. Every one having their own story as to why they were there. Only one was actually from Ireland, and aside from me and two others, everyone else was Japanese. One girl was a model and brought her lookbook, another had studied in Ireland and loved it so much that she now ran an Irish play house in Tokyo, but I think most were there for the experience, and let’s be honest, the prizes.

In the distance I heard my name called. It was my turn to be interviewed. I stood up, leaving my beer on the table, and was instantly instructed to bring it with me.

This was only getting better.

I was asked basic info, name, age, why I was in Japan, why I was applying for this pageant, what the capital of Ireland was, what would it mean to me if I won. The interviewers were great and it was a very stress free conversation. I left the table feeling confident. Headed back to the girls and made some new friends as we all shared a few more beers.

It was two days later when I got the call that I had made the final 12, and details were put into play as to when my fitting was and a request to send an email with a bit more information. I was still in this mostly for the experience, but the competitiveness was growing on me, I wanted this.

Click here to see the contestants!
Contestants

[Fitting]

The fitting went great, I was so excited to be there! They had already picked out clothes for us and we were working with a personal shopper, who was Japanese but grew up in Canada so she was able to speak any and all languages. She was to make sure we got a causal and formal outfit that flattered us. My casual outfit was 70’s theme and my formal one was a lovely one shoulder greenish dress. The tags were cut off, the clothes were folded and put in a bag, I watched as my name was written in black marker on the bag. And that was it, they were mine.

Formal

Casual

[Pageant Night]

The night of the event, Wednesday, March 9th, all the girls and Dane, who had organized the entire event and was our go-to guy throughout the entire process, met at restaurant a few blocks from the venue to go over some last minute details.

Dane explained how the night would go.

Our clothes were waiting for us at the venue, as were the hair and make-up people. We had each been assigned an order of appearance number, I was number 12, last. We had each chosen a walk out song, I picked, Lady Gaga, Born This Way. We were coming out in our casual outfits first as Anthony and Nikki (both co-workers of Maya’s) talked to everyone about what we were wearing. Then we were to run backstage and change into our formal outfit, get our hair and make-up touched up, and reappear for our second walk down the cat walk. Upon our appearance this time we were each going to answer two questions.

Anthony had called all of us the previous week to tell us our questions. The first was unique to each of us, the second was the same across the board.

“So I have a question for you that I think is really going to bring out your personality,” Anthony explained to me on the phone the previous week. “Great!” I said, “what is it?!”

“Ok,” he went on, “What would you say to people that say that girls can’t play soccer?’”

“THAT’S BULLS***!” I screamed back on the phone, then immediately clasped my hand to my mouth.

“Ok. Hun.” Anthony went on in a calm but sarcastic tone, “Ummm, you can’t say that on stage. In a dress.”

“I’m know. I’m sorry. But you know that’s crap.”

“Well my dear you have a week to figure out exactly how you want to word that, and I’d advise you to use that time wisely.” I could hear his simile.

“I willlllll, alright what’s the second question?” pencil ready, I was taking notes.

“Everyone has the same 2nd one and it’s, Why do you want to be the Parade Queen?”

“Ugh, I hate those generic type questions.”

“I know,” he empathized, “alright Queen Kate see you Wednesday!”

As I hung up I felt myself simile, and without missing a beat, my stomach knotted. Even my body wasn’t letting me get ahead of myself.

I had spent all week at work writing bullet pointed answers to the two questions, and practiced in the shower. I had my answers down, but every time I went to practice the soccer question, I was irked by it, and literally had to practice not yelling out that it was B.S., before proceeding to my more politically correct answer.

Back at the restaurant, as I continued to sip my iced tea Dane continued to explain that we would be scored American Idol style. Every girl had been assigned an email, that we weren’t to know until voting time. Every cell phone in Japan has internet, so all the audience members would look to the screen and send an email to our assigned email address. It would be instant. My stomach knotted again. Dane continued,

 `As soon as the winner is announced, the Queen will immediately be crowed and ushered to take pictures with Ireland’s Ambassador to Japan, who will be awarding the grand prize of 200,000 yen (a little over 2 grand) to Folli Follie jewelry store. The queen and top three will be taken over to a backdrop where they will be interviewed for Fashion TV, all the while making sure to smile and be polite to anyone and everyone. Then everyone will get on the bus waiting for you all, to go to BierVana, (the bar where the auditions were) for an after party.`

The following day was another fitting at TopShop for another outfit, this time for the parade and then there was an opportunity for court-side VIP tickets to see Tokyo’s professional basketball team play. Then of course, the following Saturday, was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade itself, again with an early arrival for hair and make-up.

“Whoa,” I whispered under my breath.

“I know!” whispered Zandra “number 5” and newest friend.

“Someone’s life is about to change,” I said and took another sip to calm myself.

“I know,” she said again, “this just got bigger that I realized.”

Zandra and I

We packed up our stuff and headed off to the venue...

United by English in Japan: New Pakistani Students Come to GoChuu

Every Monday and Thursday at GoChuu, my middle school, we have morning meetings with the entire staff. My only participation comes when I stand with the rest of the staff and announce Ohayooo Gozaimasu, wishing everyone a good morning, then sit down and play a game of how much will Kate understand today. I average about 5-10% comprehension of what is actually said. I’ll work on it.

During a Thursday meeting a few weeks ago, it was our Vice Principal’s turn to stand and address the staff. He started saying words I recognized and I started to pay a little more attention. An essentially fluent english speaker, he came over to me after the meeting to see if I understood what he had said, shockingly I had.

Rainy day at GoChuu

We were getting two new students, sisters. One was a 1st grader (our 7th grade) the other was a 3rd grader (our 9th grade). Their mom was Japanese, their dad was Pakistani, they lived in Pakistan and were here at GoChuu only for 3 weeks. They were wearing their own school uniforms from school in Pakistan, and wouldn’t be eating school lunch. Their Japanese was at an elementary school level and they could only write and read hiragana, not the Chinese Kanji characters.

“Oh wow! That is so neat,” I said as the Vice Principal sat facing me, confirming these details of the meeting. Usually their is nothing that pertains to me enough to warrant a one on one conversation in order to confirm details. I was still a little confused as to why he was exactly telling me this.

“I think,” he said, “that they might speak english. I talked to them a little and they seemed to understand me. Maybe they’re fluent.”

“Oh really!?” I was thrilled. In his very Japanese way, he had just told me that they are fluent. It had been so long since I had talked to anyone under the age of 25 remotely fluently. I was surprised how excited I was to meet them. As he left, I quickly wiki-ed “Pakistan” and confirmed my suspicion that english was in fact that one of their national languages. Great!

During cleaning time I went with the vice principle to meet both girls. They were in fact fluent, and darling. Apparently the principle had told them that the school had a fluent english speaker, so the girls knew that I was around somewhere. Both had huge smiles as I walked in, “Hi!” I opened. “I’m Kate.” They beamed and introduced themselves. Misha, was more excited than her younger sister.
“It’s so nice to have a english conversation after a day of Japanese,” she confessed.
I chuckled, “You know what,” I kind of whispered, as the Japanese students watched in awe as we continued with our introduction, “it’s a treat for me too.” I smiled and she chuckled. “I just wanted to come say hi and see how your first day was going, pretty different huh?”

“Ummm, YEAH!” she confirmed.

I smiled. I can remember how shocked I was with everything that was different from American schools. I told both girls that if they had any questions about anything, as to why and how things were done at GoChuu to not hesitate to ask. Their were a few things I needed confirmed by Ian and Sinapi when I first came, so I can only image from a student’s point of view how different everything must be. Both girls said everyone was very nice and they were having a good first day.

I was trying not to completely favor Misha after we introduced ourselves, but it was such a treat to have natural speed conversation with someone. I had to make myself leave. “Alright my dear, enjoy cleaning time and I’ll see you later!” She gave me a look and I chuckled. Poor girl was on toilet duty on day one.

Throughout the week I would come talk to the girls if I was in their class doing a lesson, or say hi in the halls, but I never got a chance to talk to them for more than a few minutes. They were both very mature for their age and such sweet girls, I really wanted to know their story.

Last Monday I got my golden opportunity.

Again the Vice Principle came over to me to tell me that on this day, the 3rd graders were taking exams to prepare for High School and Misha was in the library just reading all day as she didn’t have to take them. He asked if I would do an advanced english lesson with her, or basically anything as she was just going to be sitting there. Sure! I jumped at the chance, I only had 2 lessons anyway.

I went to go visit her and she smiled and put down her book when she saw me. “Hey!” I opened, man it felt good to start a sentence with that, rather than Hello.

I chatted with her and it was decided that we would do some kind of advanced lesson, I asked if their was any other subject she liked, after all we had all day. She said math and chemistry. I went to research online. I found some simple math lessons that I figured she didn’t know how to do, but were simple enough to teach in one lesson, and printed those. I found a short story in english that I decided we could read and discuss. I grabbed a blank piece of paper and told her we were going to make a packet and this was a cover for her to decorate, basically buying me time to research a bit more online.

I came back to her with all kinds of handouts and chatted with her as she colored her cover. She was 14, her sister 12. Dad was from Pakistan, Mom from Japan. The girls went to school in English in Pakistan. They were Muslim, their mom had converted. Though told me they never wore head scarves. I was fascinated by the languages they spoke. Misha explained that at home they speak a mix of English, Japanese, and Urdu, though the girls speak only English to each other. I asked exactly why she was in Japan, as I couldn’t get quite a straight answer from any of the teachers, I figured they didn’t really know. Their dad did something with car sales, and they were here visiting him, apparently he lives here in Kamagaya a large majority of the time. Their school year in Pakistan was over and they were here in Japan in a Japanese school for a few weeks to simply better their Japanese.

Then we started discussing how different Japan was from where we were from. I was so interested. I knew how the adults and the working culture differed from the US but I wasn’t sure how the student culture differed.

Her first observation was that the kids didn’t gossip. “Didn’t you have like popular and nerdy kids at your school?” she asked, “Sure,” I offered, “doesn’t everyone?”

“No!” she yelled in shock. “They don’t! They are like, all so nice it’s weird.”
I chuckled. “Do you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing?” I asked. She thought, then confessed she didn’t know.

I know what she means though. The adults are so nice, but sometimes I wonder how sincere they are, or if it’s more about keeping the harmony of the situation. I’m betting on the latter.

“AND,” she went on, “they apologize for EVERYTHING!” I laughed again, knowing just what she means, and again we discussed their sincerity. But I explained to her that moving two inches out of the way for someone and apologizing, doesn’t exactly mean, I’m sorry, but rather acknowledging someones presence. Or at least that’s my theory. I told her, that when I went home after the earthquake, my mom told me that I said sorry too much. Which she thought was hysterical.

She then had another observation, that the kids, or girls in particular, didn’t seem to have really close friendships, citing that they were so formal with each other. She went on, “I mean when you’re with your friends do you apologize to them? Isn’t it implied that you wouldn’t do anything to like hurt them.” A very pointed observation I thought for a 14 year old. And one I agree with, but again that just isn’t their way of doing things. I told her the next theory that I’ve observed, that the Japanese people are very good at having designated roles for designated places.

For instance when they are at school, they are all business, no matter how close they are in reality. She thought about that one for awhile. “Well at least that’s how the teachers are,” I pondered, “when they are at school they are teachers at work, end of story. But outside of school they are just as causal as we are.”

I asked if their are any couples amongst the students. Again she went on to tell me that they don’t seem to have crushes or date or do anything like that. She couldn’t believe it. I asked if maybe their was, but they just didn’t show it at school, and she said she wasn’t sure. The dating life for people my age is pretty much the opposite of anything western and apparently Pakistani as well.

We did the work I printed, but talked most of the day about cultures and how they are different and the same and how we all seem to get things done just in different ways. We even talked about suicide bombers and she explained to me just how people are recruited to become a suicide bomber. We talked about Pakistani weddings, at which point she lit up, as she talked about her cousins weddings she went to. She told me about the current president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and how his wife, Benazir Bhutto, the previous President, was killed during her term. Apparently she was killed in a suicide bombing, then shot. And it is rumored that her husband, was involved to gain Presidency. Misha confessed she was devastated when the former president was killed as she had inspired Misha to gain an interest in politics. Oh, and apparently her son is hot, Misha gave me his name to google. Bilawal Bhutto who is at University in England, incase you're interested.

She was so darling and so bright. It was such a pleasure to spend the day with her, and we had, all in all, a very mature conversation. I was constantly forgetting she was only 14.

I asked her if she could choose to live wherever she wanted, where would she choose. Without missing a beat she answered, “Wherever Justin Bieber lives.”
And just like that, she was 14 again.


Learning something new everyday,
Kate

In other news: It has been extremely rainy and hot, a terrible combination. So I got myself a puzzle for all the time I was spending in doors. This is my latest accomplishment...

1,000 pieces baby