For the students...

So I've come to it. I'm just about to start my last week at school. On Friday, I will officially say goodbye to my kids.

Everything is happening really fast, and I feel like I'm not getting a moment to stop and think about it. That's probably good because I don't think I want to... I'll save the "being sad" part for the plane ride home. But on the other hand, things like this happen. I'm suddenly surprised that it's my last week, and I haven't really had it sink in yet.

I've been trying to avoid telling the students that I'll be leaving in August just because I don't want to be treated any differently by them (good or bad). A few of them knew anyway for whatever reason, but for the past few weeks, my JTEs have been letting them know that my last week is coming soon. And every time I hear it, I can only think to stare at the floor. I don't want to be arrogant and assume that they're going to miss me, but I don't want to look at those who I know are indifferent and feel like I've had no effect on them.

Everyday, now, I'm getting a student or two stopping me in the hall and asking me when I'm leaving. After the teacher makes the announcement at the end of class, I sometimes get a student or two that comes up to me and asks, "Really? So soon?" There's been this group of boys that I sometimes joke with outside of class. In class, they're rowdy, noisy, and not the best students. I thought they hated English and didn't really care about me. But just the other day, at the end of class, they came up to me, "Wait, so you're leaving?" "Yeah, guys." "Oh..." and they each decided they wanted to help me carry my books and materials back down to the teacher's office. This meant I had a group of boys walking with me, each of them only carrying 1 book, or a pencil case, or a rolled up paper (And the JTE with an armful of books and a CD player trailing behind). I like those guys. :)

I like all my students. What can I say? There are too many things that happen with them everyday to mention. There are way too many inside jokes and conversations and quick hellos and strange glances in the halls to type out. If there was ever a day where I was getting frustrated at anything, be it workload, other teachers, or just life in general, I would consciously make the decision to go into the hall between a class. Because I knew my students would make me happier.

And it worked. Every time. I'd wander over to my bulletin board to staple something up and suddenly there would be 5 kids waving at me and trying to practice English as they ran to PE. Or there would be a group of boys who learned the word "Cool" and would proudly shout at me, "Mr. Sandall! You... are... cool!!!" and await my reaction, only to shout, "Hai! Uso desu!" wink, then run off laughing. Or there would be that girl, Shoko, who I once told was always very polite in the halls, and since then is sure to give me a super-deep bow everytime I see her (which I of course return. It's funny to see a 6'3" American bow so respectfully ;) ). Or the "sex technicians." Or the pirate crew. Or that shy girl who used to lower her head when I said konnichiwa, and now smiles with a "Hello," everytime.

I was really afraid at the beginning that they wouldn't ever like me, as I'm sure most new teachers are. So I was content just doing my job and being there for those who needed it. I was in love with Japan, so it didn't really matter to me if I would grow on them or not. I couldn't imagine how it would be to be able to walk through the halls and almost instinctively respond to 400 Hellos, 100 Heys, and 20 japanese jokes every passing.

Now, I can't really imagine how it's going to be without it.

PS: My old principal who left in April, Mr. Higashi, came over to my apartment tonight to bring me a present and to say goodbye. Wow. I'm in shock. :)

Hisashiburi da, ne?

I feel like I've used that topic before... huh....

Anyway, so there's been a massive lack of posts, yes? Yes. Yes, there have. Ok, so life's gotten busy. I'm trying to see all of my friends and do all of these things I want to do before I leave in... one month. (It's getting more and more depressing each time someone reminds me... at this rate, I will be a raging ball of tears before I even hit the Kumamoto airport... k, maybe not. :D) On top of all this, I have... actual work to do... haha, "Oh yeah. That."

So it comes down to me having a lot going on, and having a lot to write about, but no time to write about it. Because if I take the time to write about one thing, I feel like I'm missing another.

I guess what I'm trying to say is excuse the sporadic posts, but expect things to be the same while I'm still here. I'll update a little here and there, but honestly, they may be few and far between in this final month. Hey, this gives you plenty of time to catch up on the long-winded posts from earlier. :D

Anyway... expect an eventual update on my Miyazaki mountain biking trip, my brother coming to visit, other concerts with Crossroads and Destined for Desolation (folk band and rock band respectively), and my potential Okinawa trip coming up in a few weeks...

For now, I will be heading off! I feel like a year's worth of not sleeping a lot is catching up to me finally... meh. :)

Oh, and keep checking back for updates on when I'll return and what I plan to do!