This past week has been a blur…
Actually the entire month went by rather quickly. Each day seemed to be the “last” for something.
Last day with a particular class of students. Last time to each some kind of food. Last time to sing with the ladies.
Onsen.
Vacuum my rug.
Stare at the camels on my ceiling.
View Mt. Katasone at sunset from my balcony.
Slip into sleep at the sound of the ticking dollar store clock.
I wish I could recount each moment of my last few days here but the bottom line would be punctuated with peace.
After 2 years of teaching and living in Japan I am at peace with the timing of my departure here. Everything about my situation is in God’s hands and He has helped me leave with no regrets…or very few regrets J
I think there is just as much to look forward to as there is to look back on in joyful memory. Particular moments in time with various people are forever engraved in my mind. These, in tandem with the pictures to print and display, help me keep Japan fresh in my heart.
This doesn’t overpower the harsh reality of saying goodbye face-to-face.
I woke up at 6am to finish some things in my apartment, but ended up staring at my ceiling for 20 minutes, hoping time would go backwards a few hours.
It didn’t.
After taking a shower and eating leftover bean soup, I suddenly had no time and Rachel was knocking at my door. With a few dishes in the sink I grabbed my few belongings and walked out the door. Hard to imagine that 2 years ago I entered the same residence in a jet-lag stupor.
All the yochien teachers and American teachers lined up in the parking lot and I was obliged to pay respects and parting words to each one. Some people I’d never met before! It seemed to take forever and by the time I got around to the American side I was exhausted. Up until this point emotions were kept at bay, but saying goodbye to my closest friends made me shed a few tears. I didn’t even say “goodbye” to some people. It’s too final. I am very sure today will not be the last time to be in each other’s company.
The 4 other teachers took off in the van and we waved them down the street. I boarded my own van as Yojisan and Matsumoto sensei escorted me to the train station.
Last time to buy a train ticket. (Done with considerable ease now)
Matsumoto sensei and I chatted on the platform until the train pulled in.
Last time to see the lone headlight growing closer and closer.
I didn’t plug into my ipod as I waved goodbye. I let the sights and sounds of Japan soak into my brain, permeate my skin and settle in my heart.
Local mountains I summited faded away behind the Japanese cedar trees.
“Kanameta. Kanameta desu.” Calls the conductor.
Sleeping students in uniform bobbed their heads to the side, cell phones threatening to slide out of their hands.
The charming clickety clack of the wheels and swaying of the car is predictable and dependable.
In Koriyama I met my friend for tea and scones at Vie la France. We chatted for 2 hours before they escorted me to the platform and waved goodbye. My last vision of this familiar place is from the bullet train window; my friend and the distant Tamura-shi mountains framed in a perfect peaceful scene. Traveling to Tokyo the sea of white and pink cherry blossoms exploded out the window. Changing to the local train meant a slower pace to enjoy the view.
My heavy computer bag rested on the top of my suitcase as I sat down to enjoy some avocado & salmon sushi bought from the station. In mid-bite my belongings crashed on the floor across the aisle in response to a train jerk, barely scraping some poor woman’s shoes. An apology followed by the retrieval (and security) of my bags made the trip a little more interesting.
Arriving at Shinjuku was very interesting: construction! The layout of the station was completely different and I had zero bearings on my location. I had to change company lines and somehow ended up outside needing to cross a busy street. There were construction barriers everywhere and I couldn’t see any way to cross the street…except for a skybridge. I hefted my suitcase and two bags up the stairs and crossed the bridge, only to find that I was only a few steps away from a pedestrian crossing signal on the ground level just moments before.
Oh well.
I crossed the bridge and refused to take the stairs down. Luckily the elevator was immediately inside the new building.
All three elevators were on the 9th floor. They slowly came down as I pushed the call button for the 1st floor. Wouldn’t you know, the first elevator was almost full?!
I squeezed my entourage into the elevator, thankful it was a short trip.
I tried to find a pay phone to call Okaasan…but with all the construction (and invention of the cell phone) there were none to be found.
Surely I could bum a 1 minute phone call off of someone. I mean, half of all the people walking around were already talking on their phones! I know everyone is packing…
Problem 1: People are in a rush to catch their train.
Problem 2: People are using their phones to conduct their own business.
Problem 3: People standing around are actively looking to meet up with their own friends.
Problem 4: I’m shy…and afraid my Japanese won’t be understood.
I stood by a map. Perhaps other people would stop to look at the map and I could ask them.
“God, send me someone to lend me a phone.”
A girl came as I prayed.
She stopped by the map and took out her phone.
She was typing, not talking.
I looked pitifully at other passersby. Maybe the kindness of Japanese people will just make someone come up to me and ask if I need help.
Nope.
I looked behind me. The girl was still there, only she looked like she was just passing time…not really studying the map or engaged in her device.
Maybe THIS is the person whose phone I’m gonna borrow and I’ve just been wasting all this time. (I’ve been about 4 minutes standing here).
God answered my prayer literally the moment I said it.
I turned around and with the most humble gestures asked in Japanese:
“Excuse me. This is rude to ask, but may I borrow your phone?”
“Sure. Here you are.”
“Really? I need to make a phone call to my mom because I don’t have my phone. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
Well, that was easy!
I made my call, boarded my train and made the rest of the trip without a hitch. Nice.
Okaasan met me at the station and we spent the next few hours chatting before picking up Takae from work. Funny how my Japanese gets better when I have to use it. Okaasan said she likes it better when Takae isn’t around because then we get to talk directly. J
Time well spent.
The three of us routed through the bakery and grocery store for some yummy treats. Dinner docket: sukiyaki! We bought some cheap meat…then a pack of 5 strips of fatty beef priced at $25. Wow. Special night.
Of course we were sucked in to the milkshake special happening at the fast food place and couldn’t decide which flavors to get: vanilla, Ghana milk chocolate, or mikkan (orange).
So we got one of each. Yeah.
On a whim we parked on the side of the street and walked down a blossom-filled street along the river. I’m so happy the sakura are blooming in Tokyo right now. In fact, by tomorrow they will start to fade away as the petals rain down like pink snow.
When Otoosan got home from work we filled the boiling pot with water, sauce, onion, mushrooms, meat, tofu, and some glassy-looking noodles. Happily dipping our cooked ingredients into raw egg, the pot filled and refilled numerous times. Ojiichan (grandpa) got full and left the table….then we pulled out the expensive meat! It was so delicious…pretty much just melted in my mouth.
The rest of the evening was spent chatting together….tomorrow is it.
Actually the entire month went by rather quickly. Each day seemed to be the “last” for something.
Last day with a particular class of students. Last time to each some kind of food. Last time to sing with the ladies.
Onsen.
Vacuum my rug.
Stare at the camels on my ceiling.
View Mt. Katasone at sunset from my balcony.
Slip into sleep at the sound of the ticking dollar store clock.
I wish I could recount each moment of my last few days here but the bottom line would be punctuated with peace.
After 2 years of teaching and living in Japan I am at peace with the timing of my departure here. Everything about my situation is in God’s hands and He has helped me leave with no regrets…or very few regrets J
I think there is just as much to look forward to as there is to look back on in joyful memory. Particular moments in time with various people are forever engraved in my mind. These, in tandem with the pictures to print and display, help me keep Japan fresh in my heart.
This doesn’t overpower the harsh reality of saying goodbye face-to-face.
I woke up at 6am to finish some things in my apartment, but ended up staring at my ceiling for 20 minutes, hoping time would go backwards a few hours.
It didn’t.
After taking a shower and eating leftover bean soup, I suddenly had no time and Rachel was knocking at my door. With a few dishes in the sink I grabbed my few belongings and walked out the door. Hard to imagine that 2 years ago I entered the same residence in a jet-lag stupor.
All the yochien teachers and American teachers lined up in the parking lot and I was obliged to pay respects and parting words to each one. Some people I’d never met before! It seemed to take forever and by the time I got around to the American side I was exhausted. Up until this point emotions were kept at bay, but saying goodbye to my closest friends made me shed a few tears. I didn’t even say “goodbye” to some people. It’s too final. I am very sure today will not be the last time to be in each other’s company.
The 4 other teachers took off in the van and we waved them down the street. I boarded my own van as Yojisan and Matsumoto sensei escorted me to the train station.
Last time to buy a train ticket. (Done with considerable ease now)
Matsumoto sensei and I chatted on the platform until the train pulled in.
Last time to see the lone headlight growing closer and closer.
I didn’t plug into my ipod as I waved goodbye. I let the sights and sounds of Japan soak into my brain, permeate my skin and settle in my heart.
Local mountains I summited faded away behind the Japanese cedar trees.
“Kanameta. Kanameta desu.” Calls the conductor.
Sleeping students in uniform bobbed their heads to the side, cell phones threatening to slide out of their hands.
The charming clickety clack of the wheels and swaying of the car is predictable and dependable.
In Koriyama I met my friend for tea and scones at Vie la France. We chatted for 2 hours before they escorted me to the platform and waved goodbye. My last vision of this familiar place is from the bullet train window; my friend and the distant Tamura-shi mountains framed in a perfect peaceful scene. Traveling to Tokyo the sea of white and pink cherry blossoms exploded out the window. Changing to the local train meant a slower pace to enjoy the view.
My heavy computer bag rested on the top of my suitcase as I sat down to enjoy some avocado & salmon sushi bought from the station. In mid-bite my belongings crashed on the floor across the aisle in response to a train jerk, barely scraping some poor woman’s shoes. An apology followed by the retrieval (and security) of my bags made the trip a little more interesting.
Arriving at Shinjuku was very interesting: construction! The layout of the station was completely different and I had zero bearings on my location. I had to change company lines and somehow ended up outside needing to cross a busy street. There were construction barriers everywhere and I couldn’t see any way to cross the street…except for a skybridge. I hefted my suitcase and two bags up the stairs and crossed the bridge, only to find that I was only a few steps away from a pedestrian crossing signal on the ground level just moments before.
Oh well.
I crossed the bridge and refused to take the stairs down. Luckily the elevator was immediately inside the new building.
All three elevators were on the 9th floor. They slowly came down as I pushed the call button for the 1st floor. Wouldn’t you know, the first elevator was almost full?!
I squeezed my entourage into the elevator, thankful it was a short trip.
I tried to find a pay phone to call Okaasan…but with all the construction (and invention of the cell phone) there were none to be found.
Surely I could bum a 1 minute phone call off of someone. I mean, half of all the people walking around were already talking on their phones! I know everyone is packing…
Problem 1: People are in a rush to catch their train.
Problem 2: People are using their phones to conduct their own business.
Problem 3: People standing around are actively looking to meet up with their own friends.
Problem 4: I’m shy…and afraid my Japanese won’t be understood.
I stood by a map. Perhaps other people would stop to look at the map and I could ask them.
“God, send me someone to lend me a phone.”
A girl came as I prayed.
She stopped by the map and took out her phone.
She was typing, not talking.
I looked pitifully at other passersby. Maybe the kindness of Japanese people will just make someone come up to me and ask if I need help.
Nope.
I looked behind me. The girl was still there, only she looked like she was just passing time…not really studying the map or engaged in her device.
Maybe THIS is the person whose phone I’m gonna borrow and I’ve just been wasting all this time. (I’ve been about 4 minutes standing here).
God answered my prayer literally the moment I said it.
I turned around and with the most humble gestures asked in Japanese:
“Excuse me. This is rude to ask, but may I borrow your phone?”
“Sure. Here you are.”
“Really? I need to make a phone call to my mom because I don’t have my phone. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
Well, that was easy!
I made my call, boarded my train and made the rest of the trip without a hitch. Nice.
Okaasan met me at the station and we spent the next few hours chatting before picking up Takae from work. Funny how my Japanese gets better when I have to use it. Okaasan said she likes it better when Takae isn’t around because then we get to talk directly. J
Time well spent.
The three of us routed through the bakery and grocery store for some yummy treats. Dinner docket: sukiyaki! We bought some cheap meat…then a pack of 5 strips of fatty beef priced at $25. Wow. Special night.
Of course we were sucked in to the milkshake special happening at the fast food place and couldn’t decide which flavors to get: vanilla, Ghana milk chocolate, or mikkan (orange).
So we got one of each. Yeah.
On a whim we parked on the side of the street and walked down a blossom-filled street along the river. I’m so happy the sakura are blooming in Tokyo right now. In fact, by tomorrow they will start to fade away as the petals rain down like pink snow.
When Otoosan got home from work we filled the boiling pot with water, sauce, onion, mushrooms, meat, tofu, and some glassy-looking noodles. Happily dipping our cooked ingredients into raw egg, the pot filled and refilled numerous times. Ojiichan (grandpa) got full and left the table….then we pulled out the expensive meat! It was so delicious…pretty much just melted in my mouth.
The rest of the evening was spent chatting together….tomorrow is it.
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