Farewells
This week has been the beginning of my farewells to certain schools and students. On Monday I had my final classes at Yanai Shougyo, and was forced to try and explain to the students why I was leaving. To them it seems quite black and white...either you're homesick and want to go home, or you hate Japan, and want to leave. I had to try and explain that it was neither of those reasons, it was merely just 'time to go'. One boy asked me if I was going home to get married, and when I replied with an emphatic 'no', he looked a little puzzled and worried on my behalf! He then asked me how old I was, and when he realised that I was still only 24, he decided that it was acceptable not to be married yet! Bless! When I left the classroom, a group of my favourite boys (who are all 17/18 years old) ran out into the corridor ahead of me, and linked fingers to form an archway for me to walk under!! It felt a little like I was back doing country dancing at primary school, but sweet and touching nonetheless!
Today is my final day at Tabuse Nougyo, and so I came in extra early, so as to be cool and composed (instead of hot, sweaty and nervous) for my farewell speech in the teachers meeting. I had to go and sit at the front of the staffroom, as the principal made a very nice speech about me. I understood most of what he said, but he still insisted on saying a little in English for me too! He's a really sweet, friendly guy, but I reckon he also just wanted to show the teachers that he could speak English! He likes to practise his English with me each week, and I often go and chat to him in his office when he has a topic he would like to discuss. After his speech, I then stood up and read my 9 line speech, enjoyed the kind applause, and then it was over! After the meeting, the principal asked me to follow him to his office, as he had a farewell gift for me. He presented me with a very cute little set of incense sticks, and a lovely holder decorated in mapple leaves. Very Japanese, and very sweet of him to have gone to the trouble (well, I'm sure his wife had to go shopping for it, but you know what I mean). At the end of my lesson in 2nd period (with the very genki 'food' class), all the students came to the front and stood together to give me their parting words. In pretty much perfect unison, they chanted "Thank you very much Roren. Thank you for your nice classes". I was impressed, and touched, but I didn't cry! I'm still managing to keep it together!
Today is my final day at Tabuse Nougyo, and so I came in extra early, so as to be cool and composed (instead of hot, sweaty and nervous) for my farewell speech in the teachers meeting. I had to go and sit at the front of the staffroom, as the principal made a very nice speech about me. I understood most of what he said, but he still insisted on saying a little in English for me too! He's a really sweet, friendly guy, but I reckon he also just wanted to show the teachers that he could speak English! He likes to practise his English with me each week, and I often go and chat to him in his office when he has a topic he would like to discuss. After his speech, I then stood up and read my 9 line speech, enjoyed the kind applause, and then it was over! After the meeting, the principal asked me to follow him to his office, as he had a farewell gift for me. He presented me with a very cute little set of incense sticks, and a lovely holder decorated in mapple leaves. Very Japanese, and very sweet of him to have gone to the trouble (well, I'm sure his wife had to go shopping for it, but you know what I mean). At the end of my lesson in 2nd period (with the very genki 'food' class), all the students came to the front and stood together to give me their parting words. In pretty much perfect unison, they chanted "Thank you very much Roren. Thank you for your nice classes". I was impressed, and touched, but I didn't cry! I'm still managing to keep it together!
posted by Lauren @ 4:07 am
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