I never said I liked kids.  In fact, I often mention that I have a fear of kids. They say that you fear things that you cannot control and that is the main reason of why I am wary of any human under the age of ten.  Unluckily for me the Chiba Board of Education didn't believe in the seriousness of my phobia  and assigned me to teach English to Elementary School students once a week.  The day I found out was the name night I went out and had a drink. 

That next day at 2:00pm, I showed up at Honcho Elementary school and fell though the looking glass.  The kids with all their enthusiasm wouldn't let you do anything but fall in love with them.  By the time the little devils were through with me I wanted to adopt them all.  It's amazing the energy, the innocence, the curiosity of a child that wants to see and touch.  And yes they did touch.  Some wanted to rub my skin like it was a piece of silk, others snuck up when I wasn't looking and my head was gently tugged back as they touched my hair.  They laughed and giggled at my gestures, sang along with my English songs, went crazy over Simon Says, and squealed during the pass the monkey games.

To them English was a wonderful present and my walking though the door made their day.  I will never forget Kenta, the fifth year student, who escorted me around the school on the first day and asked me if I knew Bill Gates.  This little boy whose favorite sport was soccer and favorite subject was English blew me away with his perfect American accent and willingness to take on extra homework.  We could have a conversation on the weather, his weekend activities, his schedule and more.   Mind you he's never been out of Japan.