A Moving Day

In Japan, many people say that they are moved by things, referring to an emotional (or moving) experience. This is of course a normal English expression, but it's not one that I have ever used very often.

Today, though, I had what can only be described as a couple of moving experiences.

First, during third period, a couple of very good students from 25 homeroom came to get me from my desk. I didn't have a class so I was free to go with them. This is a class of students that I taught every other week in the first year but only about once a month since April. They are incredible students though, some of the nicest and smartest in the school.

When we walked up to their classroom, I heard cheering start inside. I turned the corner to find a big circle of students all clapping for me with an empty chair for me. They were throwing me a surprise farewell party! This was what was on the board:



Along with this t-shirt:


We sat in the circle. One girl named Yuki made an opening speech in English. Then one at a time, each student came to me and presented me with a card that they had made themselves with their thoughts about me written on it (in English of course.) They were so sweet! The third girl to come up finally got the nerve to ask me for a hug. I gave her a hug and after that, I gave almost every student, including a few of the boys, hugs. Later, the first two girls who had missed out on the hugging, asked me for one anyway. It was a very special experience.

Here are some of the cards:

Mai


Haruna


Koji


Haruka


Saki (nice Mt. Fuji!)


This one is from another girl named Yuki who has always been a big Kory fan (as you can maybe tell from the shape of the card.) When she handed it to me she said, "This is my smell. Smell it please." I did and it smelled like perfume. She had sprayed her perfume on it. Very nice perfume might I add.



After the cards were handed out, we took some pictures together:



I talked to them for a few minutes and told them what I would do next. I gave them some final words of encouragement. Finally, a boy named Tomomi gave a farewell speech to me that literally left me in tears. Then they made an arch to lead me out of the room (a common practice at Japanese farewell parties.) I told them thank you again, and I was escorted back to the teachers' room by two of the girls. It was an incredible, moving experience. I was in shock and felt so honored to be cared for that much.

And that was just the beginning. Later in the day, I had my final class with 26 homeroom. These are the 2nd-year International course students who I have had in class at least twice a week since they started at Yoshiwara High School last April. I have gotten to know these students better than any others at the school. They have always been my favorite class ever since they first came. They are leaving on their three-week study abroad trip to Australia on Sunday. So for this class we decided to do an all-out, Jeopardy style Australia review game. I had some leftover $2 coins from our Australia trip this past December, so I offered those as the prize to the winning group.

The game went well. They remembered most of the answers. Then, after the game I gave my Australia pep speech, but I was having a hard time not getting choked up because I knew that when they come back, I'll be gone. They knew too of course, which was making it even more difficult. Emily gave a short pep talk after that, and then it was time for me to close out the class for the last time. This is where I lost it. I told them how proud I am of them and that I've always loved teaching them and how much I would miss them. I was having a horrible time getting through it, and when they started to cry, oh my goodness. It was a mess. I had written individual notes to each of them and handed them out and gave each student a hug. By the time we were done, I was crying, almost all of the girls were crying, some of the boys, even Natsuga-sensei.

I hated to finish the class on such a sad note, but at the same time, I think it was good to get it out. I had to let them know how I feel about them, and it was good for me to see that they feel the same way. That group of students is very special to me and I'll never forget them. I gave them all my e-mail address too, so I'm sure I'll be hearing from some of them. :) I hope so at least.

Before I left the class, they gave me a big card that they made for me with short notes from everyone. Here it is:


So yeah, it was a moving day to say the least.

Three more days of work, 2 more classes for me. And less than 8 days left in Japan. It's hard to believe. It's moving a bit too fast for me.