The Whole Erk Catalogue Tales of a Geek Abroad

First off, I was going to make this a long post about the events of the last several days, but Jen has beaten me to it and done a better job than I could!

Last month I bid a tough and lump-throated farewell to Icchu; it was very hard to get through, but made easier by the knowledge that i had this month to go back from time to time, which I have. Today I gave my final farewell not just to Nichu,but to the Japanese Junior High School system. To make matters worse, I forgot to print up my speech! In the long run that turned out to be all right. I'd written so many farewell letters that the words came easily enough, and I think the impact was better for my occasional mistake.

I'm now writing from nichu, sitting in my desk here for the last time. It's been a tough month: with me leaving, the teachers here scheduled me for a full schedule of classes, with almost no breaks. I had a bit of a run-in with one of my coworkers, but that's water under the bridge now. I gave and received a lot of presents with the students, through games and farewells, and generally had a good time I think... but I have to say, I'm glad it's over. It was a HELL of a fun job, being an ALT, but I've had my fill of it.

In just over a week, Jen and I will say goodbye to Natori for a good long while, and I'm not so glad about that. This city has been really and truly a home for two years, and it has really welcomed Jen and I. I hope I don't lose touch with it.

I'd like to write a lot more soft stuff, but it is too danged hot in this staff room. I'll do it before I leave japan, don't worry folks.