Today for lunch I went to one of the Baptist churches here in Beaumont to give a book review on MY BOOK. One of the substitute nurses here at the office set it up for me, organized the entire thing, distributed fliers, and perhaps even bullied people into showing up. Anytime I get to talk about Japan or about my book, it is the greatest thrill of my life (we all know how interesting I think it is to talk about myself).
My audience was 25 senior citizens - the first time I'd given any kind of presentation about Japan to people who actually remember/served in World War II. It was interesting to say the least.
The only question they had at the end of my production (wherein I talked for an entire hour without stopping...hard to imagine, I know) was whether or not the Japanese had corrected their history books about their occupation of China during the war (they had majorly downplayed or cut it out completely). Luckily, I just happened to be in Japan when that entire controversy arose!
Afterwards, as sweat was streaming down my face (the air conditioning was kept in the off position...perhaps they were trying to remind me of Japan), I was greeting everyone and signing books when one of the cute little old ladies walked up to me and said, "Young lady, I sure am happy you have a loud voice! I didn't miss one single syllable!"
WHAT? Happy that I'm loud?? I've had plenty of people tell me that I'm too loud but no one in my ENTIRE LIFE has complimented me on it. It brought tears to my eyes. It's nice to know that at least one person appreciates my #1 talent.
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