Time flies...

It's time to say goodbye again. I have a lot to update, Hiroshima, Okinawa... but I simply have no time. After coming back from Okinawa, I have only 3  days left in school. I was busy preparing farewell gifts, farewell speech and also having my last lessons with the students.

1 year passed so quickly. It has been a great year. I have experienced a lot here and enjoyed myself.

Life is full of ironies. I don't like being away from home, but I kind of enjoyed staying alone, having my own space and time. I look forward to going home, but I don't feel like leaving Japan; I will miss Japan and the people here. 

Bidding farewell is so difficult. When I left Singapore, I was tearing away on the flight (It's uncontrollable... tears just flow...) This time round, I don't think I will be crying, but I truly am going to miss my friends and students here. (i suddenly know why I will not be crying, cos Han and Gin will be with me, that makes a whole lot of difference...) Nobody is indispensable, we will soon get over it, get over the sadness of leaving, continue on our journeys. I might not have made an impact on all the students' lives, but I'm certain some of them would remember Sandy being their ALT in high school. I hope they will keep in contact with me and we will meet again. To the friends I made here, with technology, distance is shortened. I hope to see them in Singapore.

Today is the last day in Kakujyo High School. It feels like graduation. I had to make a speech in front of the whole school in both English and Japanese. I think Japanese show a lot of respect to teachers. In Singapore, the students will not be informed that the teachers are leaving. Here, there's a ceremony and I think teachers feel appreciated. Well... I do. It's a simple ceremony but it made me feel so appreciated. I didn't cry, neither did the students. I stayed around to say good bye to them. Some promised to write me emails, I will be counting (not too hopeful though...cos they will be caught up with school work and new ALT will be here to replace me.) 

As for now, I will enjoy my last 5 days in Saiki. Drumming performance and gyoza party on Saturday, packing on Sunday (still thinking whether to meet some friends in Oita), Closing ceremony for Tsuruoka on Monday, Han's arrival on Tuesday, last enkai wiith 1st grade teachers, meeting the new ALT, last drumming session on Wednesday, farewell cum welcome party after drumming.

Leaving beautiful Saiki on the 28th July......