Back in the US of A
It was a long, long trip, but I'm finally back in Dallas. It was made a little better by the fact that I somehow got upgraded to business class from Japan to LA. THAT was really nice. Of course, I made up for it by being stuck in the middle seat on a small plane from LA to Dallas :(
As expected the past couple of weeks have been up and down emotion wise and EXTREMELY busy. The last week of school was tough mainly because of all the going away ceremonies and parties. I thought I would be ok with it all, but it was definitely rough. When I went to Ota Elementary School I knew something was up for sure. Usually when I arrive at school after lunch all the kids are outside playing. But, when I pulled up on my last day NO ONE was outside. As I started walking to the entrance, I passed the gym and could see all the kids legs in there.
They had planned a surprise going away ceremony for me. It was a nice ceremony. They gave a speech or two then I had to give one. I got a bit teary eyed during my speech as expected. But the WORST part was that this ceremony was BEFORE my classes. As I walked into the 2nd graders class, they were all like "You don't look happy!!" and I lost it again a little bit. ^^;; I got back under control and finished the rest of the classes. After I was all done, I was sitting in the teacher's room and the vice-principal told me to just sit there and not move. In like 5 minutes, he whipped out this amazing portrait of me. I'll post it when I get a chance. (He used to be an art teacher).
I had to head back to school for Interactive Forum (English speech contest) practice. I was surprised when a few of the girls from the basketball team who graduated last year came back because they knew it was my last day. They came back just to say goodbye. Did I say how much I love my kids? ^^
Friday morning was my last day at school. I knew it was gonna be tough so I was planning on going to bed early the night before, but that didn't happen. As I walked into school the final time, I kinda lost it... ^^;; But, was fine after a few minutes. For the 3 class periods in the morning I was fine. I played basketball with one of the classes during 2nd period. That was fun.
But, then it was time for the closing ceremony for the semester and my going away ceremony. From the time I started to get changed for the ceremony, I was gone... But, somehow I managed to get thru my speech pretty well. After the ceremony was over, I was fine for the rest of the day. I even got some of my kids crying too :D So, I guess I did my job well.
I got a ton of wonderful gifts and letters from my kids. I took some pictures of them, but haven't had a chance to upload them yet.
Most of last week was preparing for my move to Yokohama and cleaning my old apartment. Last Friday, the movers moved my stuff to Yokohama and I spent most of the day getting it setup. I'll be moving into that apartment from when I go back to Japan.
I guess I should mention that I found a job teaching at an English conversation school in Yokohama. My time as a ALT in the JET program is over. I'm gonna miss my kids and the teachers a lot, but I'm definitely looking forward to the new job and living in Yokohama.
I'm back in Dallas for a couple of weeks before I start the new job and will be going to the Ozarks (Missouri) for a family reunion at the end of next week. Other than that I have no major plans here. Just some relaxing and visiting family and friend. Of course, when I get back to Yokohama, I won't have internet for about a month *sigh*
As expected the past couple of weeks have been up and down emotion wise and EXTREMELY busy. The last week of school was tough mainly because of all the going away ceremonies and parties. I thought I would be ok with it all, but it was definitely rough. When I went to Ota Elementary School I knew something was up for sure. Usually when I arrive at school after lunch all the kids are outside playing. But, when I pulled up on my last day NO ONE was outside. As I started walking to the entrance, I passed the gym and could see all the kids legs in there.
They had planned a surprise going away ceremony for me. It was a nice ceremony. They gave a speech or two then I had to give one. I got a bit teary eyed during my speech as expected. But the WORST part was that this ceremony was BEFORE my classes. As I walked into the 2nd graders class, they were all like "You don't look happy!!" and I lost it again a little bit. ^^;; I got back under control and finished the rest of the classes. After I was all done, I was sitting in the teacher's room and the vice-principal told me to just sit there and not move. In like 5 minutes, he whipped out this amazing portrait of me. I'll post it when I get a chance. (He used to be an art teacher).
I had to head back to school for Interactive Forum (English speech contest) practice. I was surprised when a few of the girls from the basketball team who graduated last year came back because they knew it was my last day. They came back just to say goodbye. Did I say how much I love my kids? ^^
Friday morning was my last day at school. I knew it was gonna be tough so I was planning on going to bed early the night before, but that didn't happen. As I walked into school the final time, I kinda lost it... ^^;; But, was fine after a few minutes. For the 3 class periods in the morning I was fine. I played basketball with one of the classes during 2nd period. That was fun.
But, then it was time for the closing ceremony for the semester and my going away ceremony. From the time I started to get changed for the ceremony, I was gone... But, somehow I managed to get thru my speech pretty well. After the ceremony was over, I was fine for the rest of the day. I even got some of my kids crying too :D So, I guess I did my job well.
I got a ton of wonderful gifts and letters from my kids. I took some pictures of them, but haven't had a chance to upload them yet.
Most of last week was preparing for my move to Yokohama and cleaning my old apartment. Last Friday, the movers moved my stuff to Yokohama and I spent most of the day getting it setup. I'll be moving into that apartment from when I go back to Japan.
I guess I should mention that I found a job teaching at an English conversation school in Yokohama. My time as a ALT in the JET program is over. I'm gonna miss my kids and the teachers a lot, but I'm definitely looking forward to the new job and living in Yokohama.
I'm back in Dallas for a couple of weeks before I start the new job and will be going to the Ozarks (Missouri) for a family reunion at the end of next week. Other than that I have no major plans here. Just some relaxing and visiting family and friend. Of course, when I get back to Yokohama, I won't have internet for about a month *sigh*