Last Day and Matt’s Arrival

Yesterday was my last actual day at Asago JHS, because I have enough summer holidays to last until I leave. It was a pretty uneventful day though, because I only had one hour of class, and that class was only 12 students. It wasn’t as sad to leave as when I left Okuganaya though, probably because everything wasn’t all at once.

This afternoon I went back though, because they wanted me to be there when my replacement arrived. Basically I think his arrival went pretty much the same as mine. He dressed up more than was necessary, and seemed a little bewildered by the Japanese greeting. After that we helped him get moved in, and then I took him to the grocery store and then to dinner with Mark and Kenji. I think in some ways it is a bit unfortunate for him that I’m still here, because I don’t think the Japanese teachers are really trying as hard. I know I am obviously better suited to get him ready for living here, but pretty soon I will be gone and won’t have had the same opportunities I had to get to know the teachers he will be working with. Anyway, even though I am pretty jealous of him for taking over my position, I will do my best to get him up to speed, and see if I can keep him away from just sitting at his desk with nothing to do (I am thinking some trips to Osaka, and maybe the beach are necessary to get him used to Japan).

Amanohashidate

On Sunday I went to Amanohashidate (“Bridge to Heaven”). It is considered one of the three best sights in Japan, and since it was only about a three hour drive away I decided I should see it before I leave. On the way there I drove through about the worst storm I have seen in Japan yet, but by the time I got there it was only slightly raining. Although it wasn’t perfect weather, it was still an interesting thing to see. Basically there is just a really long sand bar connecting two sides of a bay, but there is a forest and a few little shrines along the way, as well as a really long beach. Here are some pictures:

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Sayonnara Meghan Sensei

Meghan left Japan this afternoon, and although she will be coming back for a job in Toyooka, I won’t see her again before I leave. Some personal stuff came up and she had to get a last minute flight home, so her departure was pretty stressful. Fortunately she was able to get everything taken care of and pack up and leave on time.

Our supervisor actually told me that since she was really tired from everything, that I would have to drive for her until she left. So I drove her a bit, but she went to the onsen by herself and got in a small car accident. I guess Nakashima was right. She was ok though, just broke a headlight.

Anyway, she was a great neighbour (translated, cooked sometimes, and even saved my life once), so I will miss her a lot.

Goodbye Asago Chugakko

Last night my teachers had a farewell enkai for me, and it was really good. They took me to an all you can eat barbeque place, so for the first time ever I didn’t need to have “betsu menu” (separate food). They gave me a new jimbei, and some other Japanese souvenirs. On the way home one of the teachers I was with, who was pretty drunk, said “I want to buy you ice cream!”, so we went to the convenience store and got some ice cream.

Today was Closing Ceremonies for this term, which means the last day before summer vacation. Since I will not be back next term I gave a short speech that was translated by Kakio sensei. After that two girls came on stage and read a speech to me, and then gave me flowers. Then all the students made a path for me to walk through, and I left the gym. It was a pretty dramatic way for me to end my time here. I’m glad that I still have a few extra curricular classes for the exchange group, because if I had to just finish up completely today it might be too much. It will be really strange when I’m not coming to this school anymore. Although the year has seemed to fly by, it still feels like I have been here for a really long time.

“Lasto Day”

Everyday Nakamura sensei passes out a schedule for the following two days, and if I am at my desk he says something like “Doryuu sensei, tomorrow’s…” Today he handed the schedules out, and then pointed to one and the following conversation took place:

Nakamura: “This day…your lasto day. So…[points to a bunch of Kanji] sayonnara ceremony”
Me: “Ok, thanks”
Nakamura: “You will…”
Me: “Make a speech?”
Nakamura: “Ah! Hai! Hai!”
Me: “Ok, how long should it be?”
Nakamura: “Etooo… [points to Nohmi sensei's desk, and then back at me]“
Me: “I should talk to Nohmi?”
Nakamura: “Hai”

I know it doesn’t sound like much, but I really appreciate the effort Nakamura sensei puts into speaking English. Considering he is a math teacher, and not particularly young, I’m impressed with how much he can say and even more so by how much he can understand.

Anyway, I guess I have to make a speech. I just hope it can be English only this time.