I just gave my final speech in Japan at Itakura Junior High. Because today is also the last day of school before summer vacation, my speech was just part of the larger ceremony that included a performance by the school band, a lecture on bike safety, and some encouragement to purchase a phone card that went way over my head.
One of the staff members announced to the audience that I would would be leaving. Kobayashi-sensei, still apparently unaware that I speak Japanese, gave me a look like, "He is talking about you! Get ready!" I'm not sure how he reconciles me giving a speech in Japanese with the idea that I wouldn't even be able to recognize my name in the staff member's announcement. Still, it's nice to have someone looking out for you.
Feel the excitement!
Later, in the office, Kobayashi-sensei came by with some really nice traditional Japanese things from Kiryu, where he lives (about an hour commute to and from Itakura each day). On behalf of the English teachers, he gave me a sensu (fan), a cool furoshiki (cloth used to wrap clothes, bento, etc.), and a nice blue kinchaku (drawstring pouch).
Sensu.
Furoshiki.
Kinchaku.