Last stretch
I gave my farewell speeches today at school.
The first was at the morning meeting in front of the teachers. The principle presented me with my certificate of appreciation from the Iwate Board of Education for my dedication.. (and so on and so forth) in a highly japanese ceremonial manner. I bow, accepted it with both hands (and so on and so forth) and then was handed the mic. I gave my short speech, thanking them, telling them my plans (or the lack thereof in my case) and asked them to look after the next ALT.
Then came the speech in front of the students. I was very hot, sweaty, and nervous... that's a thousand people, most of which I've taught at one point or another. I could tell my voice was shaking, but I made myself read the speech, and look up, and smile.... just as I have always coached students to do.
I also went to the homeroom of 3-7, the english majors I've taught since they first entered Kozukata... I will miss them the most out of all the students. They made me a small scrap book filled with notes and pictures to me, and also Sakura sensei gave me a japanese hair clip to go with my yukata, so I can enjoy sansa festival once more before I leave.
Now, sitting at my desk, students come in pairs or on their own to say good-bye to me, giving me a hug, exchanging e-mail addresses... I am glad :-) A student promised to bring me some pudding daifuku today that his grandmother is very good at making. I'm looking forward to that soooo much!
And I have not cried yet. I cried while writing the speech, and I'll cry when I say good-bye to Bryan, and I'll cry when I'm on the train, and on the plane.... but not at school. I have 8 days of work left, 4.5 of which I will use my vacation time for.... so 3.5, just the beginning of next week. *deep breath* I need to go work out time tables for catching trains down to my flight home... I'll probably have to stay in Tokyo by myself that last night.
The first was at the morning meeting in front of the teachers. The principle presented me with my certificate of appreciation from the Iwate Board of Education for my dedication.. (and so on and so forth) in a highly japanese ceremonial manner. I bow, accepted it with both hands (and so on and so forth) and then was handed the mic. I gave my short speech, thanking them, telling them my plans (or the lack thereof in my case) and asked them to look after the next ALT.
Then came the speech in front of the students. I was very hot, sweaty, and nervous... that's a thousand people, most of which I've taught at one point or another. I could tell my voice was shaking, but I made myself read the speech, and look up, and smile.... just as I have always coached students to do.
I also went to the homeroom of 3-7, the english majors I've taught since they first entered Kozukata... I will miss them the most out of all the students. They made me a small scrap book filled with notes and pictures to me, and also Sakura sensei gave me a japanese hair clip to go with my yukata, so I can enjoy sansa festival once more before I leave.
Now, sitting at my desk, students come in pairs or on their own to say good-bye to me, giving me a hug, exchanging e-mail addresses... I am glad :-) A student promised to bring me some pudding daifuku today that his grandmother is very good at making. I'm looking forward to that soooo much!
And I have not cried yet. I cried while writing the speech, and I'll cry when I say good-bye to Bryan, and I'll cry when I'm on the train, and on the plane.... but not at school. I have 8 days of work left, 4.5 of which I will use my vacation time for.... so 3.5, just the beginning of next week. *deep breath* I need to go work out time tables for catching trains down to my flight home... I'll probably have to stay in Tokyo by myself that last night.