Brian’s Japan Adventure

March 8th, 2008

Fukuyama Finale

Nothing special on the way there this morning, I took the usual route at the usual time, and had the usual breakfast on the way. First thing, I stopped in the Principal’s Office in the administration building and handed him his gift bag containing a “Home University” coffee mug and a brief “Thank you for your help and lunches” note.  I explained it was omiyagi, and he thanked me and accepted it as expected. I then walked across the road to the Junior High and ran into the Assistant Principal in the lobby.  I handed him his bag and explained the same way, and all was well.

He asked me, “Is Brian-sensei coming back in April?” I responded that I didn’t know yet.  He followed up, “I hope you come back in April.” I replied, “So do I.”

Then I went over to the high school and taught my final two classes there.

As planned, we did a “wrap-up” class where we talked about what their homestay would be like and what to expect in an American house.  Then we talked about manners and how to behave in America. If it comes right don to it, Japanese manners are far better than American manners in general. I think the only thing I actually had to explain was noodle-slurping, which they thought was hilarious when I demonstrated.

About ten minutes before the end of the final class, the two teachers who are going with the students came into class and it became sort of a teaching photo-session. They were both all over the place with their cameras getting shots of me as well as the students listening intently to my words. It’d make a good sales brochure for the school. Hmmm, I bet they’ve thought of that!

In both classes, as soon as the final bell ran, some student jumped up and handed me a big card about 12”x12” with all the students signatures and many personal notes written on it.  The second one today even had a picture someone drew of me on it. It’s good stuff, and they will both definitely be going in my “to keep” pile.

Omiyagi Right Back At Ya!

As the two teachers were snapping away with their cameras and I was being presented with my second card, the Assistant Principal came into the room holding a bag. The bag had the name of the school on the outside and a few smaller book bags on the inside, as well as brochures about the school inside.  He handed the bag to me and said “omiyagi.” Hmmm.  I wonder what that was all about?  My understanding is that if you take someone out to dinner that is the same as if they had prepared the food themselves and you “owe them one.”  If so, then my coffee cups were in return for the lunches; at least that’s the way it was intended.  The book bag puts me in their debt once again.  I assume this is intentional on their part. Oh well, it’s a nice book bag; I wish I’d have had it six months ago!

The Assistant Principal then walked me out of the building and offered to drive me to the train station. It was a nice day (for once!), and I had expected to walk back, but I let him drive me anyway.  Waiting by the car was the “main” Principal, who thanked me and shook my hand.  They usually don’t do that here; I’ve only shaken hands three or four times since arriving, usually with other foreigners.  He then said “Hope to see you again soon,” and was off.  Maybe that was just a phrase he knew, since his English isn’t very good. Or maybe he knows something I don’t about the future.  Other than this bit of possible foreshadowing, as well as the earlier comment by the Assistant Principal, there was no specific mention at all of yesterday’s interview or the job situation.

A Saturday Afternoon That Feels Like A Friday

And then I rode the train back, arriving home around 2:30.  I made a trip to Big Boy for a late lunch and then to Happy Town for a few things. I was telling myself that it was my last trip to Happy Town, but that’s really not likely just yet.  I’ll almost certainly wind up there one more time.  On returning home, I decided to grab a sponge and some kind of cleaning chemical and attack the bathroom.  It’s done now; all I have to do is keep it spotless until Tuesday when Y-San does the inspection.  I still have to quickly fix up the living room and do a major cleaning effort in my bedroom, but that’s a project for tomorrow and Monday.

The plan for tomorrow is to go to the library first thing and deal with whatever I find in my inbox. I’m sure there will be a long chat session involved. On the way back, I want to stop in and look around at the bookstore for books for gifts. I have been looking and looking, but I am just not finding much worthy of lugging home.  I keep telling myself it’s not Christmas and one little item will be fine, but my mind doesn’t work that way.  When I do get home I am going to finally start packing. It’ll be Sunday, and anything I can’t fit in the suitcases will go in a box to be mailed home on Monday. Time is running out on this stuff. I didn’t want to pack too early and ruin my suits or anything, but I can’t really wait until Tuesday or Thursday either. I really don’t know what Monday will bring anyway; Fukuyama will be contacting Y-San then, and I may need to go get that exit visa then.  There’s no telling what else might need to be done of which I am not yet aware.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm and is filed under Japan, Teaching. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.