updates:

for the past three weeks or so, i've been teaching english to a chinese boy named Chen Han at Sushi Boat in Oakland. i've come to the following conclusions: english spelling is たいへん. that is all.

i know no chinese and he knows barely any english, so communication at times is also たいへん。i wish he knew japanese, this would be much easier. either way, i love doing it. and apparently sushi boats loves me too. i am given food almost every time that i teach, which i'm very grateful for. you can tell that these people are genuinely appreciative of my efforts and i almost forgot what simple joys can be had with such small offerings.

i'm also an acting english translator of any and all legal documents for them and am currently trying to tackle DMV issues for them. it's all pretty amusing for me to see people's reactions to me acting on their behalf. this woman at the DMV for example, took one look at Mei Yun and her uncle - immediately realized they were speaking chinese, looked at me and pretty much right there i could read on her face that she'd already given up trying to help. it's like foreign people aren't worth their time or its too much effort to actually explain things. i mean, she was only interfacing with me - an american - and she still resisted answering MY questions.

i just hope that if i get accepted to JET i'll find people to help and guide me like i am doing for my chinese friends. i am paid with hugs and food, and that's good enough for me! ^_^