Sayonara
Hello Everyone,
It is a sad day for my journal, for it is the day that my journal ends. This will most likely be the last entry I write, unless I suddenly get a boatload of free time on my hands this summer (I’m not expecting any). I’ve really enjoyed writing it, even though it’s not very good and usually rambling. I’ve decided I need to invest more time in emails and story-writing...for now. Besides, most of my latest activities and general thoughts go up on my facebook status and don’t need to be reiterated here.
It’s the end and beginning of the year in Japan. People are changing offices: my Japanese tutor got transferred to the far other end of the prefecture (16hour train ride), some of my teachers got moved to the island off the coast here (4 hour ferry ride), and my favorite co-worker was transferred down the street to the hospital. I don’t understand the yearly transfer system any better than you do. I’ve yet to meet anyone who actually understands it.
So on transfer day, I had to jump to my feet every five minutes as another principle would walk in and announce who was transferring out. It felt a bit like an execution, knowing that I would probably never see these people again. They were decked up in suit and tie and had to state their name and job and where they were moving to. It was ridiculously formal, and yet depressing. I didn’t realize that I’d become friends with so many good people.
The new teacher welcome was also ridiculously formal, but not so depressing. There was a military exactness in all of the proceedings that felt embarrassingly over the top, considering that we were in a small room and all practically neighbors and everybody knew everybody else. I mean, is it necessary to count your steps, to turn on the spot, to face the flag first every time you turn to face someone else, to bow so formally to someone you’ve known for years? I was in silent fits of giggles during the entire ceremony. Sometimes it’s great being the outsider, noticing all the great aspects of Japanese tradition.
I also felt like an outsider during the middle school graduation party. Well, it had been a bad day, and I was under the impression that the party was meant for the students and their parents, and so kept trying (unsuccessfully) to leave the party early. How wrong I was...completely shocked, in fact, when the students formed the tunnel for us to walk through on our way out, each thanking us for teaching them. Their smiling faces... Er, yeah, I’m always making fun of these overly-emotional graduation events. Well, I guess I teared up...a little.
I liked the entrance ceremonies much better. I especially liked seeing the little first graders parade in, all dressed up. They were so tiny! I remember being that age, but I’m pretty sure I was not that small. There’s no way I could have been that adorably small. Yes, I think I definitely must have been bigger.
I thought that maybe after the confusion of last year, the schools might actually figure out where to sit the foreigner during the entrance ceremony, but no. I sat with the special guests (mayor, police chief, board of education staff, etc) at the elementary school, and with the teachers at the junior high school. They also forgot to provide me with a chair. In the end, I am still in a category all my own.
It was lovely meeting my new co-workers. Nishi-san has a great sense of humor and is very talkative. Tabata-san who now sits across from me is friendly, too, and tries her best to communicate with me. There has been talk of afternoon tea and English sessions at the office. I sure hope she can make it happen. I feel lucky to have such nice co-workers this year.
Two of my good friends left last month to head back home to America. It was great hanging out with them, going skiing together, and meeting up at church all year. It always sucks to say good-bye to good friends. I also had to say good-bye to many of my JET friends from the mainland. We met up for the last time in Tokyo for a JCF retreat, which was probably the best time I’ve had in Japan thus far. All of my best friends were there, and we had a great three days of hanging out, studying the Bible, and eating the best cooking in Japan.
In case you can’t tell, it has been a month of emotional ups and downs, constantly in swing. I’m looking forward to one day having some stability in my life, but so far it looks like that won’t be happening. I still have no idea what I’ll be doing after JET. Then again, it is fun not knowing what lies ahead. It’s like when I’m at the top of the ski slope in my town, unable to see how steeply it shoots down or how far the bottom of the hill is. I know I will probably take a spill or two on my wobbly skis, but I know also that it will be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to start picking up speed. That’s my future right now--covered in snow and ready to kick my ass.
I plan to return to the States in August. I will be available to road trip with whoever has some free time on their hands. I will also be available if anyone wants to go out for some Mexican burritos. ; )
Send me an email anytime you’d like to know what crazy stuff is going on over here. Always happy to entertain.
--B
It is a sad day for my journal, for it is the day that my journal ends. This will most likely be the last entry I write, unless I suddenly get a boatload of free time on my hands this summer (I’m not expecting any). I’ve really enjoyed writing it, even though it’s not very good and usually rambling. I’ve decided I need to invest more time in emails and story-writing...for now. Besides, most of my latest activities and general thoughts go up on my facebook status and don’t need to be reiterated here.
It’s the end and beginning of the year in Japan. People are changing offices: my Japanese tutor got transferred to the far other end of the prefecture (16hour train ride), some of my teachers got moved to the island off the coast here (4 hour ferry ride), and my favorite co-worker was transferred down the street to the hospital. I don’t understand the yearly transfer system any better than you do. I’ve yet to meet anyone who actually understands it.
So on transfer day, I had to jump to my feet every five minutes as another principle would walk in and announce who was transferring out. It felt a bit like an execution, knowing that I would probably never see these people again. They were decked up in suit and tie and had to state their name and job and where they were moving to. It was ridiculously formal, and yet depressing. I didn’t realize that I’d become friends with so many good people.
The new teacher welcome was also ridiculously formal, but not so depressing. There was a military exactness in all of the proceedings that felt embarrassingly over the top, considering that we were in a small room and all practically neighbors and everybody knew everybody else. I mean, is it necessary to count your steps, to turn on the spot, to face the flag first every time you turn to face someone else, to bow so formally to someone you’ve known for years? I was in silent fits of giggles during the entire ceremony. Sometimes it’s great being the outsider, noticing all the great aspects of Japanese tradition.
I also felt like an outsider during the middle school graduation party. Well, it had been a bad day, and I was under the impression that the party was meant for the students and their parents, and so kept trying (unsuccessfully) to leave the party early. How wrong I was...completely shocked, in fact, when the students formed the tunnel for us to walk through on our way out, each thanking us for teaching them. Their smiling faces... Er, yeah, I’m always making fun of these overly-emotional graduation events. Well, I guess I teared up...a little.
I liked the entrance ceremonies much better. I especially liked seeing the little first graders parade in, all dressed up. They were so tiny! I remember being that age, but I’m pretty sure I was not that small. There’s no way I could have been that adorably small. Yes, I think I definitely must have been bigger.
I thought that maybe after the confusion of last year, the schools might actually figure out where to sit the foreigner during the entrance ceremony, but no. I sat with the special guests (mayor, police chief, board of education staff, etc) at the elementary school, and with the teachers at the junior high school. They also forgot to provide me with a chair. In the end, I am still in a category all my own.
It was lovely meeting my new co-workers. Nishi-san has a great sense of humor and is very talkative. Tabata-san who now sits across from me is friendly, too, and tries her best to communicate with me. There has been talk of afternoon tea and English sessions at the office. I sure hope she can make it happen. I feel lucky to have such nice co-workers this year.
Two of my good friends left last month to head back home to America. It was great hanging out with them, going skiing together, and meeting up at church all year. It always sucks to say good-bye to good friends. I also had to say good-bye to many of my JET friends from the mainland. We met up for the last time in Tokyo for a JCF retreat, which was probably the best time I’ve had in Japan thus far. All of my best friends were there, and we had a great three days of hanging out, studying the Bible, and eating the best cooking in Japan.
In case you can’t tell, it has been a month of emotional ups and downs, constantly in swing. I’m looking forward to one day having some stability in my life, but so far it looks like that won’t be happening. I still have no idea what I’ll be doing after JET. Then again, it is fun not knowing what lies ahead. It’s like when I’m at the top of the ski slope in my town, unable to see how steeply it shoots down or how far the bottom of the hill is. I know I will probably take a spill or two on my wobbly skis, but I know also that it will be a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to start picking up speed. That’s my future right now--covered in snow and ready to kick my ass.
I plan to return to the States in August. I will be available to road trip with whoever has some free time on their hands. I will also be available if anyone wants to go out for some Mexican burritos. ; )
Send me an email anytime you’d like to know what crazy stuff is going on over here. Always happy to entertain.
--B