Meeting the Dorm's Protector

Today was the second day to register for classes. I was rushing around all morning to different offices and buildings, but I finally got it all done. I'll be taking Japanese level 3, Readings in Japanese History, and a Society and Culture course. I was so pumped to take some Japanese PE classes, but the freshman and sophomores filled up every class! This term, I'm only taking 12 credits out of the alloted 13, which is such a shock. I normally overload on classes back home, but I really need to pace myself here, have time for extra studying, and give myself a chance to have a social life. (Editor's note: I have since joined the Yearbook Club and the Soul Run -Souran Bushi Dance- group).

On a side note, while I was running around like crazy, I forgot that the girls were supposed to have health examinations today, so I have to take it next week right before the boys go!

Anyway, I was coming into the kitchen to make a quick snack before my 3 hour long class (I know, right?), when I saw something a little strange. There were a few girls in the kitchen, cleaning, cooking, chatting, but what caught my eye was about 3 inches long, had small green stripes, and was hiding on the floor. In order to make sure it wasn't a joke, I got pretty close. IT MOVED!!

To get the other girls' attention, I thought I'd practice some Japanese. Shall I demonstrate? Eh hem....he hem.....this is my theory.... eh hem..."Heeee! Nande kore?!" It was very casual and very quick, so they all turned around in succession. Soon each girl had given her own surprised "heee" or "ooiii", but none of them were scared of it. They thought it was cute and one girl even started taking pictures with here phone. The poor little guy was so scared that he dashed behind the recycling bins. We had to move each one out of the way to find him again. I suggested that we use a "kuppu" and "sara" to get him out of the kitchen. One girl held the plate/sara while I used the cup/kuppu to scare him towards her. After that, we let him outside and all the girls wished him safe travels and told him to be careful in Japanese.

Daddy, if you are reading this, I hope that you are smiling, because the little critter was a yamori: house gecko. After my little run in with him, I asked my roommate what it was. From my description, she said that I had met the dorm's protector. It turns out that the kanji for yamori is 家守り which means "protecting the house". Well, he is outside the house now, but hopefully he'll still be around.