Is it? and the joys of Be Bop

One of the marvelous things about being in a new country (where I speak the language) is discovering the nuances of language, tone and intonation that are different from home. In talking to my colleagues I've been informed of the joys of differentiating between 'just now' (meaning anytime in the next three hours, or perhaps three days) and 'now now' (what we would mean when we say 'right now'). There is something so lovely about not wanting to disappoint whoever you're talking to by telling them that they are going to have to wait for possibly many hours on a very uncomfortable chair while you go for a long lunch and see to the other pressing matters that might be on your desk and instead telling them with an incredibly reassuring smile that you will see to their problem, visa, bank account, etc. 'just now'.
The other linguistic quirk I have discovered and decided I really like (although it's a little bizarre at first) is the response of 'Is it?' to a statement of fact: "I went to the shops last night" response: "Is it?" My look of confusion and misunderstanding - "Umm, is what what?"
It's actually really quite endearing as far as a rhetorical response goes! Although I haven't yet encountered it yet, I'm also told than when I ask (in a truly Australian fashion, accent retained and no slippage as yet - fingers crossed) how someone is going, they will reply with their transportation options, rather than their state of wellbeing! I intend to ask as many people who are not familiar with Australian vernacular as possible until I get the response of "by Bakkie" (like a ute) or (equally fun!) "go where?"
Anyway, onto other matters - the teaching has begun. I have inundated my students with the joys of jazz - including Be Bop - making them listen to Thelonious Monk. They didn't understand it at all - their confusion was simply awesome!He was without a doubt the coolest cat ever. He just sizzles!
I mean, who wouldn't want to be as cool as him?! Just look at him! He rocks the suburbs, or rather he syncopates the urban ghetto or something jazz-like. Anyway, I felt largely like a fraud, not being the most knowledgeable jazz aficionado in my acquaintance! Still, I think I knew more than my students, which is perhaps not difficult. Sigh. The youth of today. What can you do? Play them Miles Davis, that's what!