Moo... er-- "buh"

I love Japan. Have I ever mentioned that? Cause I do.

There is a struggle many military spouses, particularly overseas, face--and it has to do with finding a job and a full purpose in life. Don't worry, I'm not going to get all woe is me philosophical on ya; I'm just saying, it is a struggle many of us face. When we first got here I was still finishing my undergrad degree so I was busy. But now I'm done with that (HOORAY!) but there is a lull that I'm facing trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. So... in the mean time, I'm teaching English. And it's really really fun. I love it. I teach about 3 days a week for a couple of hours here and there and it keeps me busy and it gives me a chance to get off base and really get to know the Japanese people and their language and culture. It's an experience I am really thankful to have.

Something interesting I learned today I thought I'd share:
The past couple of weeks the subject of onomatopoeia's kept coming up so I finally created a lesson on American noises. This was a really funny lesson to me. I find it truly fascinating how in English a cow "says" moo but in Japanese a cow "says" buh. We all hear the same noises, no matter the language, but apparently we imitate them all differently. Not a single animal sound we went over was the same. Ducks don't quack, cats don't meow and birds don't chirp. Who knew?
 Microwaves in Japan apparently say "ching" and in English they say "beep." Other things beep too, like a car horn, but there are so many other words for a beep--ring, chime, ding etc. but I learned today that any appliance that beeps actually chings, including the apparently super button you push to fill your bathtubs in their Japanese houses and when it's full it lets you know by chinging. Awesome. Times like that- I regret having to live in an American style home on base, sometimes I'd prefer to have the awesome bathtub and super fantastic space toilet that plays music, makes flushing noises and warms your behind. But I do love my American washer and dryer, oven, stove, dishwasher and fridge. Most Japanese kitchen appliances are much smaller than our normal standard. So I guess I'm thankful.

That is all. :)
Chelsea