Finished

[vanityfair00]

My last day of work was on Friday. I taught four classes, had lunch, gave a speech to the 9th grade and then went home. I really didn't think I was going to cry. I only teared up a little at Tobu-sho, my favorite school two weeks ago. And I didn't cry a single tear at Tobu-chu, Takamatsu-sho, or Okusa-sho

Comments

[sophierom]

First, congratulations on three years of great teaching! I know that teaching can be a difficult and rewarding job... I can only imagine how working with students in a different country and in a different language might have magnified both the difficulties and the rewards. I've loved reading about your experiences and have been impressed with how you've embraced living abroad. I'm sure that, whatever you choose to do next, you'll do with the same sense of openness and adventure. (I just hope we get to continue hearing and seeing your experiences via your blog!)

[vanityfair00]

Thanks! I don't what's next but I'm very curious to see what it is. Hopefully as exciting as this has been.

Has your baby made its arrival yet?

[sophierom]

My baby is now officially late; she was due yesterday. She's a procrastinator like her mother. ;-D

I hope your last few days in Japan are wonderful and that you have a smooth return home!

[vanityfair00]

I hope she comes soon for your sake! Do you have a name picked out?

(I have baby fever thanks to my sisters so please excuse my nosiness!)

[e_danae]

I bet many of your students will cry for you!
Like sophierom, I've loved reading about your Japanese adventure. Whatever comes next, keep us informed!

[vanityfair00]

Only one that I saw but they all wrote me very sweet messages.

[chochajin]

There are so many people on my LJ friendlist who leave Japan right now after being here for 3 years. 3 years seems to be the magical number for most. I'm in my third year (that ending in March next year) and I do intend to probably stay a 4th. It's a little bit scary, because now I see through you guys what lies ahead of myself.
It sounds a bit sad to say goodbye to everybody, but if you really taught 1200 students a months, maybe it's not as sad.
I teach the same few students every week (and that for almost 3 years now). I saw them grow up, more or less. Some of them really changed a lot. Saying goodbye to them will be tough, I guess.

I wish you all the best for your future from here on :D

[vanityfair00]

JET is generally only 3 years so that's one reason. The other reason is that an instructor visa is for 3 years so I think many people decide to go home rather than dealing with renewing the visa. That's my reason. You can't get your pension refund if you stay longer than 3 years too and I want that money back!

It was hard facing that my job, this wonderful, fun, and easy job, is over but I think it will be really really hard to say goodbye to my friends. Just knowing that it will be awhile before I have another chance to come back to Tahara will be hard to accept.

[chochajin]

Although I don't know for sure, I think the instructor visa, just like EVERY OTHER VISA comes in a 1-year and a 3-year version. Guess JET people just automatically get the 3-year version, so that when they want to renew their contract nobody has to deal with the immigration office again.
I see. I don't pay pension. I don't get shakai hoken anyways.

I know it's hard, but you knew that day would come, right? *sigh*
If only flights were cheaper, that wuold be awesome!!! :D :D
*hugs*

[imhilien]

*offers tissue* It sounds like they were three great years. :)

[vanityfair00]

Thanks. It has been great.

[nighstar]

i managed to not cry giving any of my speeches, but then got teary-eyed at the airport and cried a bit on the plane to Tokyo.......

....but it's ok because it's ok to cry! or so i tell myself... :P

i hope everything goes well for you. :] sorry, but my replies to your entries will prob be late for a whle D;