And so, this is the End

This will be the last post that I make. My cable modem gets taken away on Friday and I've just been really busy trying to tie up all the loose ends, so, ya, this is it.

One whole year. Not often is one period in life so well defined. We don't live birthday to birthday, or New Year's Day to New Year's Day. Time just sort of passes by for us, one day at a time.

One year ago I made a big jump. I took a leap. Looking back now, things turned out a lot differently than I ever thought they would have. Teaching was hard sometimes. Living here was even more difficult at times. I had bad students (imagine that!). I got engaged. I decided not to stay another year.

None of those things were expected, but I don't regret or feel badly about any of them. I came to love my students, even the bad ones. As much as I felt like giving up sometimes, I stuck it out and I'm proud of myself for having done that. Work is work. Even bad students are usually good kids.

I learned so much, experienced so many things. I felt new levels of loneliness and pain, which I think opened up even greater levels of hope, happiness, a sense of accomplishment, and love. I had a lot of time to myself this year, a lot of time to think.

I will miss this place. I will certainly miss my students, from the kindergarten up through the middle school.

Lastly, I have just one request.

Once I return home Japan will be over for you, my family and friends. Try to understand that I had an entire life here. I had a home, a job, friends, and a (host) family. I lived in this country. I rode the train to work everyday and took trips on many weekends. I saw great cities, stunning temples, ate strange and tasty food, and drank my fare share of shochu.

I got frustrated and angry. I was happy and elated. I cried because I was sad and because I was overjoyed. I celebrated surviving my first week of classes and I felt empty when my last week was finished.

The point is, Japan will never be over for me. It will be a part of me for life. So, when you hear me tell a story, or get excited about some picture I want you to see, just humor me. Try to listen and try to understand why I came here and why, at least in some small way, I will have never really left.

Thanks.

Comments

[Scott]

I guess that makes it good a good time to say it now, but I always wanted to mention how much I appreciated you keeping this blog and photoblog, Joe. I mean, if it was me it would probably be like I'd just disappeared for a year because I'm cheap and lazy. But the time and effort and even the money, even though you said it was cheap, you expended to keep us abroad of what was going on and what you were doing and even what you were feeling meant a lot to me (everyone, I'd hope) and I'm glad you didn't just go for the '1 year disappearance.'

So, thanks. (and sorry I didn't post here more often)

[Nels]

Such a great experience, anonymously hanging back here and periodically observing your adventures in japan. Its really something, mate. Good on ya ;-) All the best!

Nmd

[Sean]

Thanks for writing such a great blog.