Here's a quick edit of the video I took of the Gundam in Odaiba last Friday:
Gundam, Karaoke, and the Fighting Irish
Well, another exciting weekend worthy of being my last one here....
Friday night Kelly and I finally went to see the widely-publicized big Gundam statue in Odaiba (basically part of Tokyo). The whole area was set up like a fairground, with little stalls selling something or other but they were closing as we arrived. And the statue itself was pretty big, though Kelly admitted she thought it was going to be skyscraper-sized. And we accidentally got there at some point in the night where the statue moves as inappropriately heartsick music plays in the background. It was definitely worth the incredibly short (15 minute) trip from Shimbashi and even the ride over ended up being on the Yurikamome monorail, which hugs Tokyo Bay and has some great views.
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The Final Countdown...
This weekend was pretty eventful. With what is now 9 days before I leave I made an effort to see people every day / night while I still could.
Friday night that meant having a pretty good dinner in Shibuya with Kirk and a couple girls, followed by an hour of karaoke at Yajima's where we met Michiyo and Ry, and then a trip to Muse in Roppongi where we met Michiyo's friend Tammy, who was visiting from London. But less than an hour into Muse I was too tired to stay, and hopped into a cab back to Shimbashi.
Read More板倉中学校 SAYONARA
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.
Read More東小学校 SAYONARA
I did my last elementary school speech today at Higashi-Shou. Unlike at the other schools, I gave it on the back field in the crazy heat so I was sweating the whole time with the sun in my eyes. Then the sixth graders gave me their own version of the "Dear John-sensei" book, and the principal gave me some stationery.
Read More北小学校 Sayonara
I just gave my sayonara speech at Kita-Shou and it seemed to go well. They presented me with flowers and a nice book of letters from the sixth graders thanking me for teaching. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do without this constant life-affirming thanks. Haha.
Read MorePics from 南小学校
Here's a couple pics from the last day at Kita-Shou. More are on facebook.
Read MoreSayonara Speech
Today is my last day at South Elementary and so begins the series of farewell speeches I have to give to every school before I leave. I just delivered this to the school:
Read MoreNew Camera & Pictures
I got the new Canon 5D Mark II in the mail yesterday, having pretty much saved for it since I got here, and so far it was worth the wait. I haven't gotten a chance to do much with it yet, or to get a good portrait lens, but here's some shots at Kita-shou and on my ride home. The kids were pretty intent on having their pictures taken.
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