School Year Coming To An End

Today was such an incredible day. I really can say that not once at all today... was I bored.

It was my last day (of the school year or officially is still unknown) at my favorite school. And, if ever I was trying to avoid picking favorites... there's no possible way for me to do it now.

Throughout the day, students and teachers alike were approaching me to thank me personally for being there and hoping that I'd return.

I really do hope to return as well.

Even teachers that I never really talked to since I always felt they might be too busy or intimidated to talk to me (since Japanese tend to avoid situations where they might have to speak English... they get worried that they're going to be helpless I guess) came up to me to make small talk.

It made me feel so appreciated and welcomed... and like I'm actually making a difference and part of the group...

... unlike a certain other school that I will try to refrain from speaking about more since they already had the previous entry dedicated to them... psssh... this is about my cool school!

I only had two classes... and they were during first and second period. It was fun because I did this review game for the whole period and the students really got into it and enjoyed it since it was something completely different.

Then, when 5 minutes were up... the students sang a song for me in both classes and deeply thanked me for teaching them and hoping I'd be back in April.

How touching... and I know they were being very sincere too.

My teacher then asked if I could attend her third period class since it would officially be the last time I see the third years (since, even if I do return... they won't be there anymore). I didn't hesitate since it would be the same fun review game and really wanted to see the third years.

They got so into the game... and the best part was that the last question actually made the difference in who won... which is the kind of suspense I like!

They then sang too and it was more touching since I knew this was like the last time with them. I think my JTE cried... she stepped out for a bit and when she came back it looked like she was crying. But, I think she was crying more so for the third years and not me necessarily... heh heh. I later found out that the teachers tend to stick with their class the whole time they're in middle school. So, she's had all the third years since they were cute, little first years.

After that class... I was talking to my JTE and she was telling me about end-of-the-year events like graduation. Problem is... I might not be here at that time since I'm planning/wanting to vacation down in the Kansai region again. But, I also want to attend these events... ::sigh::... I'm so torn. As if money and time wasn't enough for me to think about for this vacation... now I have these events to weigh in as well. Man... I don't know what to do now.

That was when some third years from a different class brought me a small dessert thing they were making in home economics. It was very good... and since they were a different class... I wanted to hang out with them as well. I joined in the home economics class and talked to them for a bit. When class was over... they too sang for me and gave me their thanks and such (singing is like THE present to give apparently... heh heh... not that I'm complaining about it because it is touching). They then made that whole "join hands and create a line of archs for me to go through" deal... heh heh. It was fun... though, I did get an ass grab...

... from a boy too...

... yeah...

... moving on!

The rest of the day just kind of flew with me joining a PE class then making some origami that I recently learned. Three of my third year students (two girls and a boy) wanted some of the origami I was making... so, I have them two flowers and a ninja star respectfully.

I was then asked to join the remaining thire year class where they, too, sang and gave me their thanks.

Oh, and I forgot to mention... I had to make improptu speeches after the singing everytime. Well... it was only improptu the first time... afterwards I kind of expected it and basically said more or less the same thing.

If improptu speeches weren't hard enough... try them in Japanese... but, I managed somehow and the students seemed to understand and were touched by what I said... I did get a lot of...

"Awwww kawaii!" 's and such... heh heh...

The rest of the day was spent being complimented, thanked, and hoped to return from teachers and students. I then hung afterschool and spoke to a lot of students about various things and visited different clubs.

I gave another improptu speech... this one was improptu as well since it caught me off guard... to the baseball club since that's the club I hang out with the most and are really close to them. I then said goodbye to them and made my way back to the office to leave... but, got bombarded by a bunch of girls who wanted my autograph... heh heh...

It was like three girls at first. I wanted to do more than just sign their textbooks, notebooks, folders whatever... so, I wrote "See You Again!" since I figured it'd be the most touching English that they'd be able to understand.

As more girls saw me signing their supplies... the three girls became like at least 15 or more. I got a taste of celebrity-hood... and, I have to admit I was loving it all!

They were all so cute! They thanked me sincerely... like, my signature was more than just a signature. But, to them... it obviously is and I understand why... though... unless you're in my situation... it's hard to understand and explain.

I then made my way to the teacher's room... where I packed up all the gifts I had received during my time at the school. I might be coming back... but, until I know for certain... it was best for me to take everything. I then notified the teachers I was leaving... and they all stood up in sync and thanked me/hoped I'd return. I gave another speech... was anticipating this one... heh heh... and told them goodbye.

However, they followed me all the way to the entrance and watched me put on my shoes and everything. I kept saying how I hope I'd return since I like the school... and one teacher said (or so I believe he said since it was in Japanese and I think I caught most of it) something like, "Then just leave your shoes here."

Heh heh... everyone laughed and I did too since it made sense for him to have said that. Kind of like... if you leave your shoes you'll have to come back. I said goodbye like a million times, but they didn't return to the teacher's room until I had exited the building completely and was out of sight.

Six students were outside, so, they too thanked me and hoped I'd return. I said me too, and walked to my car where they followed. I then heard a "Hai, seno..." which is basically like a "Okay, ready... go..." that we say when we want to start doing something at the same time.

The six of them sang "Hallelujah" to me. It's the song they're practicing at the moment... and it was really nice. The six of them were awesome... and it's a pretty hard one for them since it incorporates the English lyrics too. I thanked them and gave them all a high five. I got in the car... but, they waited for me to pull out, and then began to follow my car and cheering/chanting as I drove off.

Man... if I seriously don't return to that school... I'm going to have to have a serious talk with my company and threaten them with quitting... heh heh...

I love that school and WILL come back damnit!