The last few weeks have been crazy busy and full of goodbyes and hellos, so I'm finally just getting around to writing a posting about leaving Japan and finally moving to Prague.
What can I really say about leaving Japan? It's so hard to put my mind around it and realize that I'm actually gone- that I no longer live in Japan. Packing and getting things sent off was a pain and closing out accounts, checking out of the Leo Palace, etc. was stressful. And saying goodbye to my students was....extremely hard and heartbreaking. The last week of classes was basically one long goodbye. I did the same thing in each class- play a little Halloween bingo and then take a picture. And then I said my goodbye. Which I couldn't get through without breaking down into tears. The students all wrote cards and letters to me, and I gave them my address and email so they can keep in touch. Some of them already have emailed me. My 1-2 class planned a surprise party for me and decorated the classroom and we played games.
The actual last day with the students was at the school festival. Kyoto-sensei gave a speech about me and even spoke a bit of English! Then one of my third year girls who was in interactive forum gave a speech, which was really good. And I got the obligatory flower bouquets- 2 of them. Which is really nice, but um, what do I need with a bunch of flowers right before I leave the country??? I gave a speech as well, part of it in Japanese. But combining the facts of being sick, having no voice left because of all the crying and goodbyes, and being nervous to give a speech in front of kids and parents.....well, put it this way- it was one hot mess!!! I bawled through the whole thing.
After the festival, we had the celebratory enkai, which was a farewell enkai for me and a welcome enkai for the new AET- more on him later. It was wonderful. Many teachers talked to me in English for the first time- even the teacher who I thought hated me came up to me and told me how much she was going to miss me and that she was sorry that we didn't go out together. The teachers even sang a song for me! More speeches, ANOTHER bouquet of flowers, etc. I felt very honored- and I really felt like I had made a difference in these peoples lives, like I had affected them in some way.
I will miss them so much- the students and teachers. It was amazing to be placed at Futabadai and it was a perfect fit for me. They treated me like one of their own, and I hope they felt the same way as me. The thing I find really funny is that the principal kept saying how when they heard an American was coming to their school, everyone was a little apprehensive, but that I was not like any American they had met. That I must have some Japanese in my blood because I was so quiet and gentle. Very complementary but true?! You be the judge. I just wonder about who they've had before??? Of course I'm quiet and respectful at school....it's my job!!!
After a long week, and still nervous about my move, I went out for my last drinks with my friends. We went to Watami, which is the first izakaya I went to in Japan, and had a really good time. But honestly, I was so tired of saying goodbye that the night ended fairly early. I will miss them very much- I couldn't have made it through the last 2+ years without Matt and Giles and Michael and Tami and Leehyang and Laurie and all the rest of the people that made my time in Japan complete. Miss you guys already!!!
So, what will I take away from Japan?? I'm still thinking about that....it will take a while for me to really process my experience. But in the next post I'll try to put in words what living in Japan was all about for me.
And now???
Now I'm in Prague, in my shared flat (with 9 roommates!!), in Europe, in an IKEA ad, currently without internet or TV, having survived the long trip and arrival, found my way into town and bought groceries, and LOVING every freakkin' second of it!!!
I'll write more in a bit....
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