Day 24 (English Getting Worst) - April 12, 2008

Day 24 - English Getting Worst

Today was more of a quiet day...And actually for the past 4 years in Jamaica...I had very very few of these, no matter what day of the week it was.

I woke up about 10:30 am this morning and went to the post office to collect some sort of debit card thing...Not sure if this was for my bank A/C or for my post office A/C because the letter was all in Japanese, and the ALT on my apartment complex who would assist me, gone to visit him girlfriend who is about 6-8 hours away by train...Bwoy hats off to him (not in any way saying I wouldn't do the same... how often now is another matter)... And from the little I know about relationships ;) females more often than not...tend to always want their partner around...and if they are not the understanding type, when you can't make it to them...you are in trouble....(this is based on conversations with many friends ok...and this has been their experience...not saying its so in all cases).

Anyway...I then went to check my email etc etc and stayed in the place for a couple a hours. While leaving, I saw the new ALT in the area driving in...we chatted briefly, then I went home at about 6 pm. After reading my Bible I went straight on the video game and played until about 2am...And that was pretty much my entire day...

I notice that since I am here though..My English has been getting progressivly worse (and it wasn't that good already)...because while I'm here, I generally don't speak much daily. And when I do talk...I'm trying to speak Japanese, in an effort to let people understand me...When I am teaching the classes though, I have to speak English as well as in the staff room, but then...I have to speak extremely slow as if I am counting my words... And if you make the mistake and say for example `I am leaving` as against `I am leaving right now`....You will confuse them...So We ALTs have to use very simple words and phrases...

So far I`ve only noticed one strange look from a staff member... I am starting to wonder if they talking bad stuff about me at the schools...I don't know and I am trying not to think that...As they have been nice to me thus far...and for now I'm getting many praises...To speak English it's almost as if you are a demi-god. They are offering coffee every second...As soon as I am through drinking one cup, shortly after they asking if I want more coffee or Japanese tea...I heard that the Japanese tea counteracts caffine and/or cholesterol or something of the sort.

Blessings and peace until next blog....

Comments

Unknown said…
Hi Dave i saw the blog a long time now but was unable to post anything its good to know your ok and even better to know that no car was coming on that road. Dave you have it in you to survive anywhere thats the kinda person you are. it would seem to be agood trip so far and keep it up and you'll be massive. Well classes are killing us all and of course a few more person have left. but i'm still hanging ing there. i hope that one day i'll be able to leave here and go somewhere like you but your single i'm married thats gonna take some convincing. Dave its always good to hear from you and please keep in contact. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS IS MY PRAYER FOR YOU.
Derri said…
Well Dave, Im sure yuh know yuh cant stop people from talking about you. So in the event that they are saying things about you just block it out of your mind and gwann be true to yuh God and yuhself.

Bless
Anonymous said…
Hi Colly,
I am so out of it....your contact is saying you're in Japan....but trust me, I thought you were on JBU business. It was not until I opened your "Rally" mail and saw the blog. I read everything yesterday...once I started I could not stop. As soon as I came in this evening I headed for the machine.... had to catch up with your daily happening.
On a serious note... I am so proud of you and I know God is. You are so blessed you can't begin to imagine. You have mention getting lost and the owner of the resturant drove in front and took you to the school. You yourself could not believe...but guess what the Lord looks after his own, I a sure you said, "Lord help me", but because we are so accustom to saying these things you might not even realizee that you said it. You also mention that it is 5 straight Sundays that you have not being to church......Now you really understand why when the intercessary prayer is done we give God thanks for the privilege to worship freely. It is not that you will be persecuted where you are but you can't understand because of the language barrier(for now). Knowing you, you will master that in a few months. I can only encourage you to continually seek God face, his faviour, and when you pray continually ask for wisdom and understanding.
Nuff Blessing.
Venesa

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