Let's enjoy catching up
So I'm back at Daichu now and only actually have 6 more days of school. I have to see the last of my elementary schools still, so I have 4 more goodbyes to go. I've already had send-offs at 10 schools and every time it feels weirder. Partially because the send-offs are really varying in...gravitas? Like, at some schools the teachers have basically waved at me from their desks, while at other there have been processions of waving children. I haven't cried much, but mostly because I get really uncomfortable during displays of affection towards me so I can't feel it till later. I've been given some very nice mementos - mostly pictures of me and the students, matted in nice little keepsake books. I really like those.
I was also given a very beautiful purse by the English teachers at ST JH. I had a goodbye dinner with them at the Royal Hotel, on the evening of my last day at that school. Since coming back to Daichu it hasn't really felt like The End so much, which makes me worry that it'll hit me all at the end and I'll either collapse into a little blubbering pile, or just become super robotic and leave everyone with the impression that I hated them all. I'm doing my best-of-the-best to be as super genki as possible for the kids before I go. Joking with them, sitting in the kids seats, miming for them. I just want them to remember me as being fun. And weird. They'll remember weird.
On the 27th-28th Brian and I went on a road trip through Shikoku, hitting up the Iya Valley and Kazurabashi, as I'd never been. We also went to Kochi City for the farmer's market. It was really nice to spend some time with him, as when we return to Canada he'll be moving far away to Halifax ;__;
I had my birthday party early this year, only July 3rd, to make sure I saw people before we all scatter. Actually it was a joint party with Julie, since she's a summer baby too. We went to Sea Dragon and it was a perfect time. I got some sweet presents, and Akane baked a gorgeous cake. And on the Saturday we went to Tsuda for some 4th of July beach fun.
Last week I had goodbyes at 4 schools, and this week I've already had one, and one more tomorrow. It was tanabata yesterday, so the goodbye parties have been a little extra festive. But so much speechifying, I hate it. On Monday I also had to go in to Tak and join the other returning JETs for a meeting with the Governor of Kagawa! They presented us each with a nice hard cover address book, with an olive motif. Verra naisu. I've been spending my evenings trying to finalize my packing job, as the movers will come on the 16th. I'm worried about the cost, but there's not much I can do about that now.
This weekend is the Sayonara Party - my last, of course, as it's my actual sayonara. In anticipation of the frillion pictures I'm sure to take, I've made a huge photo update today.
Enjoy!
I was also given a very beautiful purse by the English teachers at ST JH. I had a goodbye dinner with them at the Royal Hotel, on the evening of my last day at that school. Since coming back to Daichu it hasn't really felt like The End so much, which makes me worry that it'll hit me all at the end and I'll either collapse into a little blubbering pile, or just become super robotic and leave everyone with the impression that I hated them all. I'm doing my best-of-the-best to be as super genki as possible for the kids before I go. Joking with them, sitting in the kids seats, miming for them. I just want them to remember me as being fun. And weird. They'll remember weird.
On the 27th-28th Brian and I went on a road trip through Shikoku, hitting up the Iya Valley and Kazurabashi, as I'd never been. We also went to Kochi City for the farmer's market. It was really nice to spend some time with him, as when we return to Canada he'll be moving far away to Halifax ;__;
I had my birthday party early this year, only July 3rd, to make sure I saw people before we all scatter. Actually it was a joint party with Julie, since she's a summer baby too. We went to Sea Dragon and it was a perfect time. I got some sweet presents, and Akane baked a gorgeous cake. And on the Saturday we went to Tsuda for some 4th of July beach fun.
Last week I had goodbyes at 4 schools, and this week I've already had one, and one more tomorrow. It was tanabata yesterday, so the goodbye parties have been a little extra festive. But so much speechifying, I hate it. On Monday I also had to go in to Tak and join the other returning JETs for a meeting with the Governor of Kagawa! They presented us each with a nice hard cover address book, with an olive motif. Verra naisu. I've been spending my evenings trying to finalize my packing job, as the movers will come on the 16th. I'm worried about the cost, but there's not much I can do about that now.
This weekend is the Sayonara Party - my last, of course, as it's my actual sayonara. In anticipation of the frillion pictures I'm sure to take, I've made a huge photo update today.
Enjoy!