For our first project, we had to organize a "portfolio" of our earlier Japanese homework and then present it to the class. In our speech we had to talk about where we were from, what school do we go to, what grade we were, what we did over the summer and what we like to do. The night before it was due I went a wrote a whole page of my speech, first in English then in Japanese and then I wrote the last part in romanization as a crutch. The speech consisted of my name, that I'm a 12th grader and I liked to write, eat and cook. Throughout the majority of the speech I talked about how I liked music and my favorite genres of music was rap,techno and jazz. Rapper names said in japanese just so happen to always sound funny so I talked about my favorite rappers of all time, the #1 GED earning graduates, Waka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz and my boy Tupac. I then prepared a slideshow with some random pictures but I had a little fun in photoshop and added anime eyes on all of my favorite rappers.
The presentations started as soon as class started and Richardsan, a frail looking pasty skinned, pretzel legged pimple ridden short guy came up first.Β He started to talk about the things he liked to do and the one thing that struck out to me was "I watch anime." There is nothing wrong with watching anime but if you have nothing else to say about yourself other than anime then that was rather peculiar. I kept a count of how many people said the exact same thing. 5 people, Cameronsan, Deidrasan, Briannasan, Corysan and Richardosan.
It was my turn to present, I got up to the podium filled with the absoluteΒ fear of talking and messing up everything. I went through the first few slides of where I lived flawlessly, with my little cheat notes helping me I was invincible. I was surprised how fluently I spoke and I thanked myself for the romanization. When i showed the slide containing Kawaii Tupac, Kawaii 2Chains and Waka Flocka Flame I heard the first few chuckles of laughter throughout the crowd. I then said "2 pacu, Ni Chainzu, Waka FUROCKA FRAMU suki desu." The class erupted in laughter and even Gozu sensei was chuckling to herself despite trying to keep a serious demeanor for grading purposes. I then added that I like actually Japanese artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Nobuo Uematsu just for clarity's sake. At the end I was given a standing ovation by the class and Miguelsan being as loud and eccentric as he is offered me a handshake, I thought about it for a minute as a handshake means that we are friends and are equals as well but fueled by my adrenaline I shook his hand and sat down. I was the last of the presentators and we began to sit down and do some textbook work, Gabusan came over and recounted what I said about Waka Frocka Framu and we both started to laugh. Johnsan, the first muscular looking asian man from the first day came over to me and said how awesome the presentation was. I appreciated it and we started to talk, Johnsan then brings up that he saw a pretty looking girl a while back and did not know how to approach her. I suddenly became a love guru despite my appropriate lack of love and told him "Man, just start slow. Ask her how her day was or just make some small talk." I dunno man, I'm scared that she won't talk me" "You won't know until you try man." Johnsan looked reassured of himself and said Thanks man, I'll talk to her tomorrow, you helped me a lot." Johnsan said that I was a cool black guy and that he liked me, compared to the class. Johnsan seemed like a swell guy and our talk was rather enjoyable. From the presentation, I reforged a friendship with Gabusan and made a new bond with Johnsan. The class noticed who I was in the class and the rest of the day was filled with praise.
