Cleaning Out

There is nothing like cleaning out your desk to make you realize that you really are leaving your job. I am currently cleaning out all 5 of my desks. In each one I am tending to find random flashcards, 2-5 pens that don't work, worksheets that got printed off on the wrong size paper and tons and tons of gum wrappers.

I am also cleaning out my 4 laptops I use throughout the school system. As of today I have found 7 copies of pictures taken at Canada Day, 5 different worksheets all pertaining to fruit, and tons of crap that I still can't figure out how it came to be in my document files.

My remaining days in Yachiyo are coming closer and closer to completion. I only have 9 days of work left. 9 DAYS!!!! Word is spreading that I am not to be back in April, but the word is coming from me and not my company. With so little days left, I didn't feel it was right not to tell people. On average, most of my students and fellow teachers are shocked and saddened at the news of my departure. Although when I have time and enough Japanese in my brain to explain why I am moving, most of the teachers and administrators are still saddened, but they are excited for my happiness and I have received many good wishes towards a prosperous future in Tokyo.

I have only lost it once in front of my students, and choked up a couple of times this week during several last classes at some of my favorite schools. I only have to keep it together 9 more days. I always thought that leaving Yachiyo would be sad, but thinking about it and actually doing it are two different things. Wish me luck in saying goodbye. Gambattemas. Gambattemas Jody Sensei.