9:06 PM

...One's Own Drum


The other teachers were trying to figure out a movie to show the students because the semester is winding down. Last year they showed "You've Got Mail" -.-. Ugh. No. It isn't even socially or culturally relevant anymore lol. Not to mention they were knocked out in the first half hour. Awkward. They also suggested showing "Ice Age" or "Shrek." That would be fine, if this were middle school. So...I suggested "Drumline" lol. It's better than their ideas, damnit! It's a part of my culture and I think they would appreciate the "One band, one sound" ideology within the movie. So, I bought it at a giant book/game/DVD/music store here to make sure it has Japanese subtitles and gave it to my supervisor to watch over the weekend. If she likes it, she can vouch for it to other teachers and they'll be passive-aggressively convinced to show it in their classes too. I'm not sure if I'm expecting her to like it, but I can definitely say that I won't be surprised if she wouldn't want to show it. I know it's just "Drumline" and it's not even all that spectacular in the States, but it's a completely different culture, people and beliefs. Perhaps watching this might help destroy some stereotypes, but like I said, I won't be surprised if she wouldn't want the students challenging the same ideas that they were taught in high school about "foreign countries." So...standby and I'll tell you how it goes.

7:39 PM

My Seniors Are Gone!

Yes, March 1st is the national graduation day for high schools in Japan. It was strange. It felt different from last year’s graduation. Not better, not worse, just different. I’m not even sure why. It could be because I’ve changed since the last one; I feel as if I’ve grown, learned and understood more compared to how I was around this time last year. So, I’m able to view everything with different eyes. Of course, it was the same as last year; they walk in with music played by the band, class by class, then they sit down. There are a couple of long-winded speeches by people no one knows. Then the Principal calls out everyone’s name one by one. Once they’re called, “they say “Hai!” and stand up. Once everyone is called they bow together then sit back down. After the speeches are finished, a representative of the graduating class goes up on and stage and reads a letter from them to the Principal. The representative this year was one of the girls from the Speech contest! The one who did the environmental speech. Then they all bow together. After the proceedings the graduates march back out to music while everyone applauds.


It was so sad. These were the only guys that have been with me from when I first got here two years ago. They were a part of the 2E class last year. I felt like I was definitely able to get to know them well enough to believe that I think they’ll be alright! Of course they don’t actually have any interest in English but at the same time, this wasn’t the day for English. I wanted everyone to know exactly what I said, as I say it lol.

After the graduation, the students return to their classrooms and are given certificates and say a couple of words. I went to each and every one of their rooms, said a couple of silly words to cheer everyone up and took some pictures. My rockstar cicada kid wasn’t very spirited. The day before, he went to his father’s funeral. I didn’t find out until yesterday. It was by a car accident. How can anyone make him feel happy about his graduation? This is his only high school graduation and to have something so tragic happen at a normally happy occasion is so sad. There’s no Japanese equivalent for “My condolences” or “My thoughts and prayers are with your family” without translating it literally, but that will come off awkward. So, in this country, it’s best to just say nothing.



Alright, I admit it. I cried a little -.-. It’s so hard not to. I’m leaving in July so it’s safe to say that I’ll never see these kids again. These kids that made my time here so worthwhile. Especially the all girl class. About 15 of them, including the teacher were crying before I even went in the room. Then it hits me that I’ll never see these young women again and I couldn’t hold back my emotions. It’s embarrassing! -.- I was able to cheer them up with some jokes but there was always that lingering feeling that this really IS goodbye. I really do hate crying in front of people -.-.
Unlike last year, the students didn’t adjourn to the biggest classroom and eat lunch; most of them had already gone home. The last time spent in their classrooms was longer than last year, so I guess there’s no time. I was a little disappointed about that but there’s nothing I could do. I certainly feel just as tired last year as I do now; it takes a lot out of you. I saw the new students a couple of weeks ago and I’m a bit sad that I won’t get to know them like I do my current students, but I guess I’ll leave that up to the next ALT. Thinking back on my last graduation post when I said that I think it’ll be a good year, it definitely was a good year, after all.


The day after (today), my rockstar cicada came to see me. Surprisingly, he asked for the video of his speech contest. I was so surprised because he never wanted to see it lol, until now I guess. Of course I had it so I put it on a DVD for him and told him to pick it up at the school. My supervisor wanted to see it and I realized that the quality is not that great on it, so when he got here I asked him if he had a flash drive. He owns one but he didn't bring it, so I told him to come again with the flash drive and in the meantime he can watch the DVD. Even now he actually didn’t want to watch it lol. Weird. I mean, there are some aspects of Japanese culture that are based on appearances and despite his own personal tragedy, I felt a genuine happiness from him. I think he’ll be alright.