Over all today has been quite solid. Taught some classes at school. And since it was Wednesday we had club time. I am one of the teachers in charge of the English club. We do a variety of things in club. Sometimes we play English games. Sometimes we sing songs. Last week we played guess who. This week the students requested an activity we did last fall: frisbee.
That’s right: to finish up my work day today I got to continue teaching a group of 4th and 5th grade elementary girls ultimate frisbee. At their request. Sometimes my job just makes me happy.
I think this is only the fourth time we’ve played and proper frisbee are not the most common toys here in Japan. That is why it is pretty fulfilling to see them pick up the game and start understanding strategies. Each time they get a little better.
Don’t get me wrong, the field is probably filled with more chaos than actual frisbee, but who cares? They are having fun playing a new game. And they are getting better and braver. Some of these girls are fearless. One got smacked in the face with the edge of the disc. Hard. She was fine, but it had to hurt. She didn’t want sympathy. She didn’t want to be coddled. She just wanted to keep playing.
I know that isn’t the only way to be or act. But at times this country wears me out with the messages it gives. Boys act this way. Girls act this way. Seeing how some folk comment about my son, I can say first hand the these roles and rules start to be applied from birth.
With all this pressure in the world to be a certain way, I love seeing young girls seize the opportunity to be badass. It’s not the game, it’s them. And they are awesome.
Go on, little girl. Kick some ass.
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Deadly Troubadour 