Why I Love My Town

The Day:

At 7:30am, the group of doting parents seeing their kids off outside my house tell mi 'itterashai' (have a nice day) as I leave. 

10 minutes from school, across the street from the convenience store, the lady who greets the elementary school kids and helps them cross tells mi good morning. 

2 minutes latter, the constantly smiling man on the bicycle smiles at mi as he rides past, with a 'good morning' in his wake. 

At the last store, Welcia, I begin to see students on their morning run. 

Around the corner, another group of doting parents await the school bus for their kids. They all chant 'itterashia'/ 'ohayogozaimasu' (good morning) as I walk past. 

There are the kids from the other JHS, who, I think, heard about mi from my students. They all say hi/hello/good morning, mid their run. Some stop to tell mi their names/ask for mine. 

There is the one kid who thinks he is super cool (and I do too, sue mi haha), and simply says 'hey' or nods as he jogs past (lmao the girls in his future are in for trouble).

Then there is the kid who asks mi daily if I like spagetti. Can't decide if thats the only English sentence he knows, or if he seriously forgets each time haha.

Of course, the icing on the cake: My kids. Ever surprised to see mi, like they did not expect mi to show up again!! 

They have the loudest and most joyous hellos, some screaming and waving vigorously from across the field.

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My day ends with the unanimous 'See you!!' or 'Bye, bye' from the kids as I walk out the gate. 

Sometimes, I meet the bicycle man on the way and he nods with his constant smile. 

On my street, there is some little old lady or stay at home mum who is out and about, and ready with the 'okaeri' (welcome home) as I pass.

I get into my house and count the hours till the cycle begins again, with all the warm smiles.

Whats there not to love about my new home?