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Hello and good day to everyone! The day started off rainy and then turned to sleet and now to snow. And to think I thought the relentless winter was over! Cherry blossoms are blooming in Tokyo and 80% of the snow had melted when I returned from my spring break but now it feels like the spring of the last couple of weeks was just a dream. I’m going skiing tomorrow too, which will further prolong the onset of spring in my mind. Spring is definitely in the air at school though. The students graduated March 3rd. It was a very touching ceremony although I didn’t understand most of it, I felt the emotion in the students. I went into their classroom to say goodbye to a few of them after the ceremony. They had written on their chalkboard in paper flowers “go away”. I thought it was really funny because they obviously didn’t understand the English connotations of “go away”. I wrote in many of their yearbooks and they all said “wakaranai” ( I don’t understand). I hope they will someday. I am sad to see the 3rd year students go because they were my favorite and smallest classes (around 20 students per class compared to the 40 some students in other classes). Very few of these students will go on to college. Maybe 50% will go to trade school. I’m also very sad because every spring there is a changeover of teachers and administrators. They go by the lottery system and the prefectural government randomly decides who will go and who will stay. The teachers who must leave are given just under 2 weeks and are told they have to change to said school in said location. Usually they also have to move from their apartment. This is done ostensibly to prevent corruption in the school system that could occur if one person remains in the same location for too long. I think it is both good and bad. It sucks because the teachers don’t get much say in the matter. I think they can put in a request if they want to leave, but sometimes it is not granted. It also sucks because some teachers are very well established and do well at their current school. However it is good because it gives the teachers a chance to work at a variety of schools that they might not otherwise get to experience. In Japan they group schools by high academic, low academic, technical, agricultural, and industrial. So if you are at a low academic school for your entire teaching career you are bound to become a little jaded. I went to both going away parties for the teachers and administrators who were leaving. I’m very sad because my 2 closest Japanese friends at both schools are leaving. Also, the cute science teacher is leaving :(. One friend who is leaving is my supervisor and my lifeline. We have built up a very strong relationship over these past 8 months and it is hard for me to see her go. But its good because she is going to a high academic all girls school and I think it will be really good for her. Also, both Kyoto sensei (vice principals) are moving and changing jobs. This is also sad because I really like both Kyoto sensei. One of them will be promoted to Kocho sensei (principal) which means I won’t see him as much since he won’t be working in the staff room. The Kyoto sensei is the supervisor in the staff room who okays everything and with whom I clean the staff room after school everyday. The Kyoto sensei at my technical school keeps everything playful and fun. You can always count on him to slurp down a huge bowl of ramen with the other teachers at lunch. Unwittingly I got myself into the dangerous realm of sake wars at the going away party. I would pour Kyoto sensei some sake (because that’s what you are supposed to do at these parties) and immediately I would have to drink the next cup he presented to me. But he kept wanting more so I kept having to refill and the cycle continued. My Japanese magically got better.

Onto spring break and the penis festival. I wrote a little about this in my blog already and posted some pictures. I will also post this email in my blog. At the penis festival there were drunk men, free sake, and wooden penises abound. Nuf said. The farm was fun and I think I might find another one to work at during golden week but I hope I get to speak more Japanese for the next one. I learned a lot at the farm but want to learn more.
pics that are sometimes and randomly updated: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwickizer/