|
saben
|
 |
On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
|
|
|
A slightly modified extract of the journal entry I just wrote.
Today I finally taught my last day here in Japan, at Jonathan's [English] School, my first job. The actual work was uneventful, but the emotions were strong as I said what is probably final goodbyes to teachers and students alike. The morning was pretty much a normal program, after which me and 7 boys went on an excursion to the other branch where we then ate lunch. After lunch we returned and I said goodbye to a couple of kids then went into the computer rooms with some of the others. Daiya, one of my favourites was there, he left at 2 O'Clock, not too phased about me leaving, but wanting to see me again, I gave his Mum my home addy and my email.
Takuma, though, oh god, Takuma, 9-year-old boy that absolutely and utterly adores me, for those that don't know. Like whenever he would see me at work he'd wrap himself around my leg being so happy to see me. He was pretty distraught over me leaving, it was so sweet. He even brought a present along, an envelope which contained some pokemon stickers and some "Mushi King" cards, not exactly items on my Christmas list, but still very thoughtful for a kid whose mentality is probably like "If I asked for a present, what would I want more than anything else in the world?" He also enclosed a letter which said something like (typos intentional) "Shim, Australia ni iltute (something I forget). Australia kara zeltutai kaeltute kite ne" It was so gorgeously simple and heartfelt, like it was his idea and not his Mum's, I think (?) it basically translates to "Shem, you're going to Australia. You've definitely gotta come back, okay?" What was even more gorgeous was that he translated it into romaji (English letters for Japanese writing) probably so it'd be easier for me to read, except to translate it looks like he used a chart that is for TYPING, (to get a double letter in Japanese you use the small tsu which is typed as "ltu" on the computer). For the whole second half of the day, though he was fairly quiet and even cried a little on and off, didn't actually shed a tear, I tried to keep him too happy for that, but his eyes got kinda watery and he was pretty damn upset. I just had him sit on my lap in the computer room and he occasionally played games, or just like held himself against me. I gave him a quick peck on the cheek at one stage, which he seemed a little put off by, though. He seemed to brighten a little later in the day after he asked the Japanese teacher if I'd come back to Japan and she answered "he'll come back in 4 years", funny thing is that 4 years is such a long time, he'll be 13 then, it is almost half his life so far; I will remember him after all that time, he will probably always be special to me, but in 4 years he'll have changed a whole lot, I wonder if he will still remember that whacky Australian teacher, Shem and even if he does whether the love, which is what it is, I guess, just pure simple adoration and love on his part and well, when someone loves you that much it is hard not to feel strongly for them, too, but I wonder if the love we share now will have diminished on his part totally, or if a glimmer of it will remain.... I guess I'll see when I next come to Japan, after Uni, whenever it happens to be.
It was really a nice goodbye day for him and the other kids I teach, but I guess all things must come to an end and work finished at 5 pm, with all the kids going home. I gave most of them big hugs, though the large majority were uncomfortable with that since their Mums were there, even Takuma who had been hugging me all day. I think said a big thankyou to my two bosses and gave them both hugs and from that point pretty much broke down and I have been watery-eyed or crying on and off ever since (the last 7 hours). Just leaving my first job behind, teaching my last day of English with kids that have been part of my life, and other people that have been part of my life for the last 18 months now. When I was sad and lonely being away from home, it was the kids at Jonathan's School that made me feel better, especially over Christmas. While I didn't particular like the actual job, the emotions and memories involved are just so strong now. I got my final pay slip, too which gives me quite a nice sum for when I am in Thailand and Malaysia. I am looking forward to that and I am happy, but today is just a day of high emotions, rememberence and sadness that I am leaving all that, while still being optimistic about the new opportunities back in Australia. I guess I am only so sad now because my time in Japan was such a good experience, overall. Lots of ups and downs, especially downs. But I leave with a sense of fulfillment, I didn't actually achieve a whole lot, but I did grow a whole lot and I will be back because there are more things to do here, just not now, now it is time for me to leave. So while I go with a heavy heart and crying probably more than I have in years, I am also very happy, happy for the memories, happy for the future and happy that for once I am able to express and release my emotions properly and let it all out.
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
|
|
|
|
|
blue
|
 |
Likes it here |
Registered: August 2004
Messages: 131
|
|
|
I have no idea if this is an actual Spanish proverb or just something that came to mind, but:
ellos quien saben bien sentir,
saben ellos bien vivir.
they who know well how to feel,
know well how to live.
So, are you a student-teacher in foreign languages or English to foreign students?
Enjoy your studies and teaching.
And you brought back good memories of a friend in junior high, a Chinese immigrant classmate. We drifted apart some in senior high. I wonder what he's up to now? Hmm. May have to look him up.
Luck to you, Saben!
|
|
|
|
|
|
I totally agree that it is only sad because it was good for you on sooo many levels.
See you soon! Call me when you get to KL so I can finalize your digs here in The Big Mango..."The Citry of Angels"!
"Always forgive your enemies...nothing annoys them quite so much." Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shem, i know its hard to leave something, but whatever u leave u find again. the past makes us stronger, it can happen only once, everything happens for a reason. U have ur love, love him and be happy, because one sad day will make u remember every good one u ever had
Hope when u get to australia in three weeks, (or before) and read this, i hope ull remember the sad times as happy memories
Feel happy, Thats an order
Love, Dee
A truth told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent
-William Blake
|
|
|
|
|
saben
|
 |
On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
|
|
|
Again, copied shamelessly from my journal:
"YES! I am finally here in Koala Lumber or whatever it is called. If yesterday was sad, then today was just plain scary, stressful and exciting. I was up until about 4 am packing, with my alarm set for 5:30 am, of course, I didn't wake up at 5:30 and Yutaka was knocking on my door at 7:00 asking if I was ready to go to the airport (he was dropping me off at the Airport Limousine bus), I wasn't ready, but just threw everything I had into bags and then left, hoping I didn't forget anything. I went to the airport and went to check in and it turns out I had 41 kg of luggage, when the limit was 20 kg. Well, the woman told me that it was gonna cost about US$300, and I am just like "OMFG WTF!!!???!!11 O_O;; ", but after much negotiating she said that I am allowed to have up to 10 kg waived, so really the limit is 30 kg. So basically I took 11 kg of heavy stuff (mostly shoes and books) out of my bags and carried it on in paper bags as hand-luggage without having to pay a cent- yay me! Bought Mum some Japanese dolls at the duty free shops, but not much else before getting on the plane, kind of too tired to be too worried about leaving Japan anymore. When I first got onto the plane and looked at the entertainment guide it did look kind of promising, what with SNES games for play offered, but soon into the flight I realise that there was only like 5 channels available (no games) and thing I wanted to watch most "I, robot" for some reason was playing really jerkily. So I slept.
Anyway, after sleeping I woke up with about 2 hours of the flight left. Nothing much special except that it is really cool to fly at the same level as the clouds, they look so much cooler side on, rather than from below. There was kind of a scary message on the PA reminding everyone about the death penalty in Malaysia for doing drugs (which freaked me a little, even though I don't even do drugs). But we landed and I got through customs and immigration with no problems and then exchanged some of my money, wondering how long it will last me. Then, some guy approached me about getting a cheap lift with him, and me just being tired and wanting to check into my guest house, agreed and got into a car with a dodgey stranger. Turns out he wasn't even a taxi driver but just some random guy that tries to make a buck by transporting people, he could have been anyone though, and I could have been mugged or some such, but he wasn't bad, luckily, just a cool Indian Malay guy in his 60s that had a few interesting things to say. The weather was weird, it was like 31 degrees on arrival and humid, about the same as a Japanese summer, but recently in Japan it's barely been reaching 20, so it was a bit of a shock at first. Only one timezone difference, so no jetlag, but this still feels like probably the most foreign country I've been to, despite the prevelance of English here. I guess that could be in part because it is the first country I have actually travelled to alone. It is a pretty country, though, so much green and palm trees and stuff.
Anyway, we made it to the Traveller's Palm, a run down guest house in an area filled with expensive hotels and I wasn't raped in the process, which made me smile. Then like I checked in, settled into my room, went out to eat Sweet-and-Sour Pork and Flied Lice, then came to this internet cafe! More updates to come!"
And David, I'll call you tomorrow sometime, I'm going to try and find out about flights to BKK through Air Asia. All flights are direct, but maybe I can bus to Phuket from BKK, but fly to BKK, it'll save time overall.
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
|
|
|
|
|
blue
|
 |
Likes it here |
Registered: August 2004
Messages: 131
|
|
|
Just have to grin at the "Koala Lumber" bit. Heheheh. Yes, I know the city you mean. Well, I've heard of it, anyway.
:: Imagining a little koala in a hardhat and lumberjack outfit. ::
... which of course triggers the dreaded Monty Python "Lumberjack Song" in memory. ... oh dear ... :whistles: Oh, I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK ...
* Nota Bene: ~Blue isn't into women's clothing, in more than one sense. Just so you know. I would look only slightly better than Klinger from MASH. I'd do it in a comedy play, maybe, though.
|
|
|
|
Goto Forum:
|