People Make an Experience

Everytime I think about leaving Osaka the first thing that makes me sad is all the people I know I will leave behind. Sometimes my job gives me the aching shudders (accompanied by dark clouds of nauseous irritation) but I really like all my teachers and students. My english teachers are all really amazing people. Even the ones that are a little too chatty (outside of class) or a little too silent (inside class) are amazing and warm hearted people. My Vice Principal is the same way and so is the Principal, when I see him. My Judo teacher (and the club members), the teacher who introduced me to Shamisen, the girls who work in the library and science department, my first supervisor who was transfered, the crazy social studies teacher, the computers teacher who fixed my first computer (after the horrible miso soup incident ...), the maintenece guys and the cafeteria staff-these are all the poeple who have made my work life memorable and worthwhile. And my students, sometimes they drive me nuts but they are all really good kids. And it's true-they are are really, really cuties. Leaving the people will be the hardest thing of all (but teaching english sucks the big one, even if it is easy).

All the adult students from the many, many different English classes I have taught were also amazing. Everyone brought their own experiences to the group and always had something to say. Sometimes it was just the mudane details of their life. however, to me, them sharing that was sometimes the best thing of all. You don't often get an inside look here in Japan so these little one offs were really a chance for me to come to understand the culture even more. It also made me realize that the best English speakers weren't always my favorites. They weren't always the most fun, friendly, or even interesting. It was a good experience because it increased the value I put on people not just intelligence. It also means that now I place more value on myself. I'm not perfect and I'm not ingenious, but I'm kind person with a lot of experiences to share. I realize now that those are two invaluable qualities in life.

My friends here in Japan, both foreign and Japanese, have taught me lifetimes worth of things. They are always entertaining and most of the time seem entertained by me, too. I've never felt so complete as I do when I'm out with my people here. I don't think I've had friends like this in a long time-it shows me how college could have been had I been able to relax a little more. With these people I've done all the things I have ever wanted to do. We have gone clubbing and drinking more times than I can count (and frankly, I think I'm done with that!). I've gone traveling with many different friends, both Japanese and American. I've dressed (and been introduced to, actually) Lolita and gone to Kamakura and Disney world. I've had house parties, been to house parties, drunk tea, seen movies, eaten uncountable dinners out, gone hiking and biking, taken pictures, played music, laughed, thrown (Judo...) and danced like a total maniac. I don't think times can get much better.

People here have become my friends and mentors, and one has become like an older sister to me. I revere her style and am greatful for her advice on all things. It is the people that I have met as much as the things I have studied and experienced that have allowed me to become more than I was 3 years ago. When I came here I knew and cared and strived only half as much as I now do. Whatever comes next, I am hopeful that I can use these experiences to help other younger women find themselves as I have found myself.