Farewelling

Right, so I've been really slack with this blog and haven't written anything about what I've actually been doing since goodness knows when. I haven't written about the Sayonara Party, the trip to Fukiya Villa, the weekend in Nara with Chris, or the Tottori beach party, so let's just say that they were all wonderful and leave it at that, shall we? Right. On with more recent business, then.
There's only three more days until my day of departure from Japan. I've been saying goodbye to all the wonderful people I've met these past two years, often multiple times, as our fondness for beer gardens and karaoke brings us together again after initial farewells.
My first official farewell was from Takeeda Elementary, where my departure was commemorated with a whole-school game of Fruit Basket - including the teachers, and even Kocho-sensei! He's a refreshingly non-stuffy Kocho, he is.
At Fukuwatari Elementary, my departure was commemorated with... nothing. Which is completely fine with me, because being the focus of fuss makes me uncomfortable. Nevertheless, when I was leaving, and that school's Kocho-sensei said to me, "oh, is it your last day? Well, bye!" - that was a bit much.
At Takebe Elementary, we had a short assembly in the morning, where I gave a terrible impromptu speech in Japanese. Then after school, the staff had a little coffee-and-cake party. Someone asked me what I was doing after Japan and I said that I'd most likely be teaching French, they asked me to translate the French on their cake wrapper. Then they yelled "jouzu!" Another chance to show off, then.
This afternoon was the farewell ceremony at Takebe Junior High. I spent the whole thing standing in the wrong place, walking off when I should've stood still, bowing to the wrong people, and generally acting like I'd just arrived in Japan. Funny how little things change. Finally, I did the walk-through-a-tunnel-of-students thing, whatever it's called, which was wonderful. There were lots of handshakes - still a novelty for Japanese kids - and some boys said "no handshake, hug, hug!" so there were some hugs too.
The ni and san nensei kids all wrote me farewell messages too. Here are some of the highlights:
"You go back to Australia. So, I'm sick!"
"I'm an alien. I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you."
"You were the One for me."
"I found you taught me joy of English."
"My name is Naoto, your HERO. Don't let it get you down. Let's get out of here!!!! God damn it!!!!!!"
"The past two years with you at Takebe will perfectly bear wonderful fruits in my life."
"Hell My name is muscle Hayato."
"I have a orange. I like ORANGE RANGE. ORANGE RANGE is good singers. If you listen to their song, you will like them."
"I like Mr Robert and Robert's bike. One day when Masashi and I rode a bike, they saw you. Robert's bike is very cool!"
"I love Robert. Because your handsome gentle and a rich man. I want you. I need you. I love you. Will you marry me?"
That last one was from a boy, which somehow makes it okay. Huh?
And now, photos! First, Takeeda Elementary School. All of it.
The giant year 6 class at Takebe Elementary.
The crazy year 5s at Takebe Elementary.

The equally-crazy year 5s at Takebe.
The super-cool 2A at Takebe Junior High. I just realised they'd written my name in kanji on the blackboard. The first two say "six horses" - the last one's a mystery. Also, probably should've moved those desks out of the way.
Just-as-cool 2B. Didn't like these classes much when they arrived last year, now I reckon they're fabulous.