a fond farewell

xoxoxo Taneichi-chu xoxoxox

2005-2006

1. I rattle off my finest English prose

2. slaughtered the kind words mentioned above, in Japanese.

There were no tears, miraculously as these are the kids that I practiced and played with every day after school...these are my 'friends' in town!

The powerpoint went well, I had to advance the slides and was positioned in front of them, so I sat there watching them cry and laugh, sniffle and sigh. It was closure, alas...and I was feeling ready for it as the job 'stress' has been previously noted for some odd months now.

I think I will have a delayed bout of tears when my the taneichi-chu baseball team hosts a beach bbq for me next week. THOSE are the guys that i will miss the most...and yes, it is without question, that tears will ensue! Above a couple of the greats, Kosei hands off a beautiful bouqet of overpriced flowers and Minori, class pres, tries his best to sing my praises in english...the thought that counts anyhow!

And it just wouldn't be Japanesey without men's cheerleading. After the cheer, I was escorted down the gym to give last minute squeezes and handshakes and out I went...the students and teachers clapping and cheering me on 'out' the door. strange, but that's japan and that's been my life for the last year! always expect the unexpected.