Marmite and tattoos

I just wanted to make a couple of observations here. 

Firstly, in staff meeting this morning I was pondering my changing attitude to my tattoo here in Japan (because staff meeting is entirely in Japanese, it's amazing the things I think about while the vice-principal informs us of all the serious stuff going on.  Last week I nodded and smiled eagerly because they were talking about Onomichi - a place I know and love.  Turns out they were talking about a train crash in Onomichi and how we didn't know yet if any of our students had been injured.  So smiling was not the right thing...??).  Anyway, today I thought about tattoos.  Before I came I was concerned by how many people talked about the inappropriateness of tattoos here in Japan and the need to cover them up.  As such, I always was careful to wear my watch with the super chunky band that covers my tattoo.  But over my time here I've slowly started to move from a 'when in Rome' mentality to a 'this is my culture, deal' attitude.  Although I obviously don't want to scare any old ladies and I will always cover it at school, I also think more about how I am a cultural representative so it's a good thing if the Japanese can learn from me that I can have a tattoo WITHOUT having gang affiliations! 

I guess one of the big moments for this came when some students at my visit school noticed a bit when my watch strap moved.  To shut them up I told them what it was, but told them it was a secret.  I make the assumption that they told the rest of the class immediately after I left the room and that, by now, the whole school, teachers included, know about it.  But you know what?  The sky didn't fall.  The subject was never brought up again.  Either I found the only three 16 yr olds capable of keeping a secret, or the youngsters here are a lot more savvy about foreign ways than the older folks believe. 

Since that little episode, I've been much more relaxed about it.  I will go to the supermarket 'uncovered', even the one right next to my house only just down the hill from school.  And I no longer get heart palpitations if my watch strap moves while I'm at school. 

Now for my other topic... Marmite.  Marmite currently consumes about 87% of my thinking.  You know all the stats on how blokes think of sex every 4 seconds?  That's me with Marmite right now.  I can't believe the timing, that the shelves are being cleared the week before I come home to stock up!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Marmite gods will smile on me and I will be able to get hold of some...

In other Marmite news, I have converted one of my students!  It was a farewell afternoon tea for the English club kids.  I thought I should do something New Zealandy, so I took crackers and Marmite, plus some Japanese choccie biccies for a backup.  The crackers were like Snax and I spread a thin sliver of Marmite on each.  I didn't expect them to eat more than one each, but one girl, a vegan, couldn't get enough of them!  This student is very unusual.  She plays guitar, writes her own songs, is passionate about animal rights and is going off to music school because she wants to work in the industry.  When her class each asked me a question after my self-intro ('What is your favourite food?', 'What is your favourite colour?', 'Do you like Japan?'), her question was 'Does NZ have an SPCA?'  I happened to have an SPCA shopping bag Mum had left me when she visited, so I gave it to the student.  She was super delighted and has told me she will take it to university with her, as it's her favourite bag.  It's wonderful when you can give these little gifts that mean so little to you, but mean so much to someone else! 

Anyway, today she emailled me that she has bought Vegemite (I had told her about the local import store stocking it.  She also said she had bought Marmite, but that may be a miscommunication.  If she really has got Marmite, I'm going wherever the hell she went to get it, asap!).  She wanted to know what 'recipe recommendations' I had.  I said on toast, with either avocado, cheese or egg.  If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know.  Although I believe I am rather... undiscriminating... with my Marmite usage.  For example, when Jeff made pancakes, I had a delicious Marmite and cheese pancake.  It was awesome.  I'm drooling in memory of it.  But if anyone does have any other suggestions for usage, I'm sure my little vegan would appreciate it! 

Hope you're all doing well and having a good week.  :)