Michiko's Takoyaki Stand

Hey, guys. Turns out I caught another cold, but I like looking on the bright side of life: at least I didn't catch the flu. The flu's being going around all my schools, but they've been doing a really good job at making sure that kids with the flu GO HOME and DON'T SPREAD IT TO EVERYONE ELSE. Still, the cold weather and my bad habit of staying up late finally caught up with me. At least I had a whole month of not having a cold. lol.

Anywho, Friday, in the midst of my cold and after having six whole classes that day, I decided to treat myself and have Takoyaki. Not only is it warm, but it's also delicious. So I walked on up and chatted with Michiko, the lady who works the stand, when two fifth grade boys come up on their bicycles calling Michiko "Oba-san", which means auntie. We talked for a bit. I kept chatting with Michiko and all the while one of the boys kept staring at me. It wasn't one of those creepy stares or the 'I don't know you, but I don't like you' stare. It was full of curiosity, and I actually saw him tilt his head as he looked at me. Very adorable. I think he was mostly curious because 1) I was a foreigner (Michiko told them how I was an English teacher), 2) I speak Japanese pretty darn well for a foreigner and 3) I was wearing a mask because I didn't want to get anyone else sick. I think the mask really did it because I think he was really curious as to how I looked, because his main focus was my face.

I just found it really curious. I mean, here's this cute little kid looking up at me from his bicycle with these large eyes just kind of analyzing me. lol. Makes you wonder if he'll become a scientist or something when he grows up.

Oooh. Also, both boys really liked skulls and crossbones, as do I. We got on the topic of Dokuro, the Japanese word for skull and crossbones, because Michiko was wearing a black knit beanie with hot pink skulls and crossbones on it. Very cute. I showed her my Dokuro watch and my Dokuro backpack. The cute curious boy showed us his wallet, which had a really gorgeously drawn skull on it with (I think it was) flowers framing it. He bought it with his own money. DANG. These kids were wearing some nice stuff too, and apparently it wasn't all bought by just their parents so they must get a sweet allowance. Considering they go to Jyuku, cram school, until nine pm, I can see why. Geez.