Dartboard

I have officially left the island. I am in transition between this life and the next. My new home is Tokyo. I have to say it to myself, because it still hasn't sunk in.

I'll share some pictures Yuki gave me of our place in Tokyo. This is our yellow couch.

The floor plan, red lines are windows. There is a 3 and 6-tatami room, plus kitchen and toilet. No shower or air conditioning. Yuki says it's very old.

I spent last night in Nagasaki with Dawn. She has transfered from Ojika (her island in the Gotos) to the big city! Her apartment has the same size rooms as ours in Tokyo so it was good to get a visual. It's not impossibly small!

Dawn's new school, Nagasaki West, has almost 1,000 students and clubs such as water polo, camping, and kendo. I'm a bit jealous I didn't apply for a transfer and move to the city with her, but then I know I couldn't do another year of ALT teaching. I'm ready to move on to the next thing!

Speaking of "the next thing," I started job searching again yesterday. Right now I'm only scanning job posting on gaijinpot.com, and there are so many English jobs out there. I haven't applied to anything yet for three reasons: I'm not Tokyo yet, and they all seem to want an interview NOW; I'm not orientated in Tokyo yet so I don't know what jobs are close to me and which would be long commutes on crowded trains; and finally because I'm not even sure what type of job I'm looking for. There's the 9-5 M-F job with adults or children, part-time jobs, or private English teaching with individuals or small groups in coffee shops.

Since I know I'll only be working until December (and now it's only looking like two months because my mom and George are visiting in November and of course I want to travel back to Goto with them) I don't want to start jobs that are going to leave an employer hanging in just a couple months. Yuki guarantees that it'll be no problem to find a job, but I don't want to be dishonest about my schedule either!! I guess private English teaching is the best option and I'm finding several website that connect teachers with students. Maybe Yuki can connect me with some students too.

My subway stop, Shinkoenji.

Yesterday I came to Fukuoka to take care of some errands. My new computer is too slow when I use iPhoto, and I needed to check if it was the RAM or another problem. Turns out it's the RAM. 512 doesn't cut it anymore! I should have just put in 1GB when I ordered it, but now I'm stuck with the decision of ordering and installing it now. Jun, the genius at the Apple Store who helped me, was so friendly!! In the 4 hours I spent at the Genius Bar, I developed a bit of a crush on him!!! He spoke perfect English and was truly a genius. He replaced my dirty top case (a defect with the new MacBooks) and offered to help me buy RAM off the internet for half the price of Apple RAM and install it for free on his own time!! I'm trying to decide if I can afford it...

I did lots of window shopping while waiting for the computer repairs. I usually feel so uncomfortable shopping alone in the city, but I'm starting to get used to it. (I suppose it's just in time, right?!) The Japanese women who work in department stores are always so perfect. Hair, make-up and clothes without a flaw---it makes me feel so underdressed and insecure!! I feel like I was never meant to be a city girl ...and definitely not in a Japanese city!! Will Tokyo be shocking!?!?

Have you gotten my postcard? I sent out my new address and contact information on postcards that look (sorta) like this:

Well, this is the Japanese version. You probably have the English version. Let me know if you didn't get yours yet!

I had a small group of teachers and students to see me off at the ferry port on Thursday, August 10th. Here are the pictures.

My teachers from Wakamatsu Higasahi Elementary School. They gave me an amazing book with pictures from the two years and messages from students and staff. It was really amazing!!! やっぱり、若松東小は成功です。

Masami's English students also came. I was surprised they came because I only met with them three or four times. Granted we did have fun parties together, but it's a long way to drive to Narao for them so I really, really appreciate it!!

Tsujiyama-sensei and her sister were there.

A small group of girls who held the tape attached to my boat.

And the Higashi teachers made a sign for me!!!

Can you see it has a picture of me inside a yellow flower!!! That made me so~~~~~ happy!!! They really are the sweetest women ever! I will miss them so much!

We start to pull away.

And my last picture of Kamigoto ...until next time!!!

It's not ALL goodbyes on Kamigoto. We also welcomed the newest English teacher to the island. Teresa is from Singapore and has replaced Catherine at Narao/Wakamatsu Junior High Schools. We got to meet her on her first night on the island. She seems really wonderful and I hope her all the best in Narao!

Teresa and Melissa.

Yuki, me and Vicky on the other side of the table. Teresa asked if I had just been for a run because of the towel around the neck. Oh no! It's just Takaitabi-Style!! Why try to hide it?--it's humid and I've been packing and moving all day! Pretty much everyone's a sweaty mess in the summer!

And some other random pictures I've found.

Sawa already knows about the best computer on the market.

I made a heart-shaped apple pie for Yuki. He's been so impressed with my baking this summer. I tried to use up all my ingredients before I left and Yuki reaped the benefits by getting apple pies, pumpkin pies, quiches and banana bread for weeks!!

This last picture is Shian, Yuki's second mother. She's actually his great aunt or something, but when Yuki was growing up Shian took care of him every day. In fact, when Yuki's real mother would get home from work and Shian would go home, Yuki would stand at the gate crying and crying and begging Shian not to leave. They still have a wonderful relationship now.

Shian doesn't have any children, so it really seems like Yuki is her son. And she immediately accepted me, too. When we go drinking, Shian will be our designated driver--staying up until 1 a.m. to drive us home! We always eat meals together or hang out in town. She's over 70 years old, but is very active and has an I-can-do-anything attitude. At a barbecue recently Shian and I started dancing to Beyonce together. It was so much fun!

Many people think Narao is VERY far from the north end of the island. It's about a 40 minute drive and I made it several times every week for two years so I don't think it's much, but many people who live up north have never even BEEN to Narao!!! However Shian drove down to help me clean my apartment and wave good-bye to me at the ferry port. Here she is in my apartment a couple hours before my departure.

I'm going to miss Shian so much in Tokyo. Will there be kind old ladies who will take care of me like she did? I think she's a treasure!

Since my school principal had a business trip of the day of my final enkai, he invited me over for a barbecue at his house on Monday. It was just me and the guys... and what an interesting conversation those men have when they're drunk!!!

The vice-principal in green, principal in traditional Japanese summer clothing (you've probably noticed Yuki wearing it in previous pictures) and Harasaki-sensei, the English teacher sitting in the chair.

Most Japanese barbecues have mostly of thin strips of beef that cook quickly and you dunk in your bowl of sauce before eating, but kocho-sensei LOVES fish so this barbecue was mostly seafood and vegetables. I preferred his way because I didn't overeat and feel like I ate half a cow in one night. I always overeat at these barbecues!!

See if you can find all four: shrimp, oysters, whole fish and squid!!

Not my favorite picture of myself, but the only one from the evening. My bangs are a sweaty mess this summer! The straight perm is all grown out and the bangs are just doing whatever they want! Curling and frizzing and dripping with sweat! Time for a bobby-pin.

Although most Japanese know of Tanabata as a July holiday, in some places on Kamigoto we celebrate Tanabata on August 7th rather than July 7th. (depends on which--Western or Eastern--calendar you're using) Yuki's hometown, Aosa, is one of those places celebrating in August.

Early on August 5th Yuki left the house to cut a bamboo branch for us. He was gone for hours, and when he came back he had a HUGE branch that was taller than the house.

Although this is mainly a children's holiday, and there are no children in their household anymore, Yuki likes to celebrate with fervor! This might be the equivalent of an American guy who wants the biggest Christmas tree for his children/household. Kinda sweet...

That night we all put up our wishes and hung them on the bamboo. The next day Yuki and I stood the bamboo up in front of our house, and I took pictures. (In the top picture you can see the top of the bamboo over the roof of the house.)

Yuki securing the bamboo to the post.

Mame, Yuki's big dog.

The view from Yuki's house.

How many posts are going to be titled "Goodbye Something-or-Other?" I've still got lots of good-byes to post!!

This one is dedicated to Catherine.

Receiving flowers.

Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. Shinji.

Me with them.

Waving good-bye from the boat.

The tape blowing in the wind.

Goodbye. We love you, Catherine!!!

One of the signs made for Catherine.

You Will Be Missed!!!
Sierra

My last trip the secret beach with the girls. It was lots of fun!

Catherine, Carrie and Vicky and the BEAUTIFUL BLUES!!! You just can't beat the blueness of the water and sky in these pictures!!!

I finally decided sunburns are no fun and I stayed under my towel and umbrella the whole time (except for when I went swimming, of course!). The sun was really strong this afternoon! But I never did get burnt this summer!!

The girls trying to keep covered.

It's sad to look back at this pictures and know it's all over! I am so grateful it all happened!

Yuki's mother is getting a new puppy. Their dog, Qoo, spawned three babies and they are keeping the only male.

He doesn't have a name yet, so let's just call him Adorable Sleeping Puppy.

I don't like small dogs, but PUPPIES of small dogs are another thing all together!!!

Yuki and the puppy.

I hope they train him not to pee in the house like his father!

I had a small enkai with my teachers in Wakamatsu. Many teachers were on business trips when we had the party so there were only about 13 teachers there. I was disappointed at first because many of the teachers whom I really liked and considered friends were not in attendance, but the small group made it very personal and my speech was not stressful.

I was intentionally tipsy when I gave my speech because I hadn't prepared anything, and my Japanese is always better after drinking. So if I remember correctly, I talked about Japanese/American culture differences and how living in Japan is going to help me when I study Intercultural Relations in graduate school.

I received a bouquet of flowers and some gifts. Here I am with the two English teachers and the purse and zori (Japanese shoes worn with summer yukata) and clips in my hair. Mr. Harasaki is on the left, and Miki Yamaguchi is on the right.

Then, at my request, we went for karaoke afterward. The pictures show what kind of night it turned into!!! Quite different from the formality of the above picture!

The vice-principal who is leaning up against the furthest wall donated $100 to the night!!

Me and Tajima-sensei, the art teacher.

Miki, an English teacher.

Ogata-sensei, the science teacher, who I just love!!

And then there was lots of dancing!!

Japanese people don't usually dance at karaoke. We usually sit around listening politely to the singer and clapping when it's over. It's much more of a "one-man show" than when the foreigners get together for karaoke and everyone dances and sings and no one listens to anyone!

So, I was so happy to be dancing!!! I think this picture is hilarious!!

I drank lots so I didn't hesitate to sing. I rapped Eminem (because I know Japanese people always are impressed by a native English speaker, and I was right--my vice-principal was talking about for days). And I sang all my Japanese basics. イッサイガッサイ, 指輪, 島唄 and 島ん人ね-something-or-other.

Very successful and fun. It always happens that you have the most fun right before it's about to be all over. That's nostalgia for you.

I am going to attempt to post pictures from the various good-bye parties I had in my last few weeks on Goto.

First from the ALT goodbye party. (Thanks Carrie for the pictures!)

Catherine and I with our "I am Goto Woman" t-shirts.

My gifts from the girls. The t-shirt from Carrie, the fabric in my hands from Melissa and Vicky.

A picnic basket--Japanese style. It's a huge bento box in the shape of a sakura blossom with lots of little compartments for food and a tupperware top!! Thank you so much Vicky and Melissa!

Our last dinner with the Shinji family.

We look like such a happy family in this picture!!!

A party with Toda-san, the Narao librarian and her friends.

My camera was being funny and I couldn't take pictures at my English conversation class Good-bye BBQ. It was so frustrating because it was an awesome night!! Seven of us spent the night at the Takaitabi cabins and here are pictures from the next morning.

Chie, a newer student and great friend.

Yuki also came, and here he is looking very sleepy the next morning.