GTJ

I didn’t realize that this little journal would be missed by so many people. I was thinking that it was time to give the thing a break for a while and not be such an exhibitionist of the written word, but after requests, here I am, back at it with time to spare at none other than the delightful place of my employment.

Today is, in fact the last day of my employment with Interac and my last day teaching at Gochu. Perhaps unfortunately we have had sports days for 1st and 2nd grade since Wednesday with the result being that nothing has been going on here. Yesterday I took myself off to watch the kendo matches but then had to be back at school for an afternoon of fun-filled UNO with my English Club. It’s certainly been interesting wrapping up my time here. I knew that the kids liked me, but I didn’t realize to what extent. The students at Gochu have been nothing but adorable. My two best 3rd grade classes surprised me by each writing a short note/letter and making them in to a book for me. I’ve posted some photos of some of the entries. I just had 4 girls come in to the staff room to give me hand written letters. One has even made me a card. The sad thing is, so many younger students are out today I wont get to give a big farewell but hopefully I’ll be able to come back next week and stick my head in to say goodbye. The teachers have been fairly non-expressive. I wouldn’t expect much else, as they don’t speak English. Even the head teacher hasn’t really said much to me, but that’s generally his way. Sonobe San has as always been the light of my time here and told me she’s going to cry later… I really hope she doesn’t, that could be embarrassing.

On other news, it’s been harvest time. The rice at the front and back of my apartment has all now been chopping down, hung out to dry and the remains of the paddocks have been burned so there is a lovely, burnt grass smell in the air. It’s not so bad, but perhaps it’s a good thing I’m leaving now to avoid that oh-so-lovely mud-patch that was here when I first arrived. I don’t really feel like looking at that for the next 6 months anyway, but I might miss the ducks that used to hang out just next to my back door.

Speaking of the next 6 months. I’ve accepted a job in Seoul. Unfortunately it’s been Chu-seok over there and they’ve all been on holidays so I’m waiting on confirmation for me to book my ticket, but all going well I’ll be in Seoul on the evening of the October 12 to start a new job in corporate education. I’ll leave any more details about that one when I’m actually in the country.

Any more news I can’t tell you right this second, but I will continue this entry later in the day and tell you how my last day has actually ended up.

. . . .


It’s now a couple of days later and I’m getting the first chance to sit down and write about Friday afternoon. It was a really nice, relaxing afternoon. My English Club had a small farewell party for me, which was really sweet. We had speeches and the kids made me a card each. Then it was down to the staff room where I made sure that all my things were all tidied up and I was ready to leave. At about 4pm Kyoto Sensei gathered the teachers around (that were present, many were still at sports activities) and they had a small farewell where I was able to make a little speech and the teachers presented me with a really beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Not long after that the new guy replacing me showed up. He seems like a nice enough guy, so with him, an Interac representative, Miyamoto Sensei and Kyoto Sensei we had a small meeting before I showed him around and let him know the basic goings ons.

And my current mood: I feel good. It’s a little sad to leave the school, but generally I feel fine. The next few days will be spent cleaning and traveling and unwinding and preparing. I hope this new entry finds you all well!

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