Chapter IV
"Nijah, hurry up you are going to miss your plane" My mother called out heard my siblings stirring about downstairs. Twenty-two years old and I was offered a job in Japan as a student teacher in biology. I never in my life imagined. It was so unexpected. My dean received the notice after a scout was present during my Zoology presentation. I only have my Associates and they want me to attend their college. It was the hardest decision of my life to leave my siblings and my mother. I would be leaving my best friend as well. It was all very painful; but the opportunity of a lifetime. With everything paid for and a permanent position. I'd be a fool to pass it up. I just found it odd that there were scouts for my field
"Who knew," I said to myself as I finished packing and taking one last look at my bedroom. Walking down the stairs everyone was waiting to say their goodbyes. I was going to visit in the summer but I know being hundreds and thousands of miles away hurt like hell. My mother teared up and could barely speak.
"I love you, baby, be safe," she said as she kissed my cheek. All my brothers from the older age of 16 to 1 all hugged me tight nearly knocking me over telling me to promise to come back.
"I promise," I said to the 7 of them "I will come back" I kissed them all one last time wishing my father was here to see it. He passed when I was 13, my mother although not biological raised me as her own even after his passing. I walked to my cab and looked back as I saw joy and sorrow on all of their faces I smiled pushing back the tears as I got in the car. The cab pulled off and I see them all in the street waving me off.
I pressed my hand to the window as the got smaller the further the car went. I didn't want to go, I didn't want to be alone.
Getting off the plane I see the Teacher I would be working with and the scout holding a sign with my name. I had been practicing Japanese all summer to be fluent in it enough to live and work here. My tutor said I sounded like a native. *If your skin was lighter you pass for an Asian*. Although he was the best tutor he was an insensitive prick. My eyes were big and bright brown, my hair full of lush dark brown curls I had been growing out now reached the middle of my back. My skin was the color coffee with 4 creams and two sugar just like I like. My hips were wide and so were my thighs. A bigger girl but I showed all the features of a Black-American. His comments were not only moot they were stupid. I was knocked out of my trance as I heard my name. I smiled and wrote my name how it would be closely translated in their language. I wrote in in manga it was more fun to spell my name. An English-like lowercase t; followed by a quote sign over a short slash with a small quote on top. I then made a smaller English t with a curve of the arm and a long dash. They looked at my writing which I am sure was hideous.
"Oh Najah (NAJAA)," the teacher said then bowed greeting me and apologizing.
"The name was pretty close except it's an 'I' instead of an 'a', in my first language" I explain to them both telling this that their mistake was no big deal. They both nodded and directed me to their car asking me if I wanted a tour of the city before heading to the school and my quarters on campus. "I would love that!" I exclaimed excitedly to see this whole new place. A place I soon to call home. I saw a few shops and restaurants. Some were familiar to the US. The lights and decoration reminded me of New York City's Time Square. We stopped somewhere for food. I put my language skills to good use and ordered Ichiban sushi extra cheese, soy sauce and green tea. With a side of wasabi. The waitress, teacher, and scout were astonished at my fluency. "I paid $500 for a summer of lessons, I'd be a mad woman if I wasn't fluent" I commented after my order.
"That's too much money, too much." The scout said "We will reimburse you"
"No need its ok, you've helped enough," I responded and he smiled as he readied for his food. After our dinner, I was dead tired. They took me to the campus. A huge campus the main building had a pointed tower with a clock and bell that rang 10 times to signify it was ten pm. really late. The scout wished me luck and said he would return in a week to check on things. And that if I had any questions to call him.
"This way Najah" the Teacher called out
"Thank you Ms. Teacher" I thanked her bowing
"No need it is my pleasure. Please call me Mae. I hope we can become good friends while you work in my classroom."
"Gladly!" I responded thinking to myself how less awkward things would be. We walked into the building in the far right of the main building. We walked in and turned down a hall. To a bedroom 2b the door said.
"Here is you apartment and key," she said placing it into my hand. I walked into a fully furnished apartment. My bags in hand I let them fall to the floor. Although filled it felt empty. I missed my family. I walked towards the back and began to undress for bed. I set up my laptop and turned on the slide show of them all. Holding my youngest brothers/godson's cheetah I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up that next morning around 6 am. My biological clock still not used to the time zone change. I felt I hadn't slept at all. I rolled out of bed and prepared for the day. The class didn't start till 8 am so I had time to get acquainted with my classroom. I finally found my way and walked in with my coffee in one hand and muffin in another. "Hi Mae"
"Hi Najah, please have a seat and I'll explain what you'll be doing in here. Also, I will explain how the classrooms and school works. I don't know how much different it is from American schools." She began pointing out things and explaining procedure asking me if I understood. She showed me everything I would be doing and how it was to be done. The mannerisms of the children and what was and wasn't appropriate.
"I understand," I said nodding
"Good" Mae responded then the bell rang as students began pouring in. I got up and stood by Mae. She greeted each student and I followed suit. Eyebrows raised and shoulders shrugged. Mae introduced herself and I. I began teaching with her throughout the whole day and helped students with their work.