とりあいず

とりあいず、オレの日本での留学経験ブログはここにあるんだけどもうすぐ何かがおこるかも。最近には大学の試験があるのであまり時間がないからブログが面白くなくなりちゃったと思う。マジごめんね　＾ー＾；

Japan Student Exchange Blog

As you may have noticed, my “Carey’s Rocky Road to Japan” blog has changed now that I’m back, but all of my posts and images etc have been archived under the “Japan Blog” category (to the right). It’s all there to read, and I don’t think that it’s going to disappear any time soon.

Class Farewell

My homeroom had a class farewell for me on the day before I left Japan. It was on Saturday, after their half day of school. 

I went in to see the board all decorated with my name etc, and food everywhere. 

Class Photo

I went in mufti because my uniform was at dry-cleaning. After a few short introductions from the teachers, we started eating all of the platters of food and pizza which everyone had gone out to collect. 

We played bingo, and each winner got to take a prize until there were none left (I got a cup - yuss). I also won the paper scissors rock tournament, which couldn’t have gone better. My class brought me a music box and put a message on it, as well as a large album of photos and messages from everyone in the class. 

I also had to do a speech which I decided not to write before hand so that it would sound more natural, that went fine. The english teacher also did a speech in English and then translated it into Japanese for the class so they knew what he was saying too. My class really has been nice to me and it kind of sucks that I won’t see them again.

I kind of hung around as people left, until my Host Mum came to pick me up from school. Leaving school for the last time, I decided to leave my school slippers in my shoe locker as a souvenir for anyone who might take them. 

School Entrance

That’s the last that I’ll ever see of Miyazaki Nishi-ko ever again.

Last Day of School in Japan

It has finally come and gone. I’m glad it is over in some ways, because the whole farewell thing in Japan has been pretty dragged out (as it is when you leave a country).

I went in to school at 11.55am, as they had tests beforehand. My timing was perfect as always, allowing for 3 minutes preening and reflection checking in the toilets, before the big strut down the hallway where everyone gets to peek out of the classroom windows and catch a glimpse of my figure. I got to my classroom right as the bell ticked over.

My classroom

Everyone was understandably friendly, even more so than usual. I had Japanese class first, and then lunch (including my last bento ever). PE was after lunch, and we played tennis which was really fun. I then went to my last lesson ever - Geography, which is one of my favourites. I understand geography amazingly well compared to my other classes, and these days I can sit a whole lesson without needing to check a word, and participate in class discussions etc. I had to do a speech at the end of the lesson, which was hard because I’ve already done a whole heap (I didn’t want to repeat myself).

My geography teacher gave me the textbook, which I really wanted so it worked out well.

We had class recreation in last period (which was moved to today for me). It was dodgeball, and I showed them how it’s done down-under (is that Australia only? - who knows). I played in barefeet for cat-like speed and reflexes, and I’m paying the toll now because my feet have become so soft here (they always wear shoes here).

My class pulling "West"

After school was finished, I went with my homeroom teacher and said goodbye to all of the teachers. The little 30 second speeches with each teacher are a little awkard, mainly because it’s stuff I have already said to them.

I took a whole lot of photos today, but yall can wait till I get back home for them.

More Karaoke and Fun

Today was the last time that all of the AFS students from Miyazaki got together. I biked into the city to meet Andrea at about 10am, and we then caught the bus to Aeon (the mall). We picked up some bits and bobs (mainly bits) and then went back to the station to meet Mitchell at 11. I brought one of the elementary school caps which is going to be ultra cool back home (yeah right). They’re even reversable, and look really scene. I picked up a bento lunch for $3 from Aeon as well, and thought I might was well go for chicken nanban since I won’t be able to get it much longer (it’s the best thing ever).

We bussed back to the station and met Mitchell (who had started walking to Aeon), and then went to the park for lunch and present time. We had some good old fashioned fun at the park, running around trees and things of the sort (the whole sequence of photos looks the best).

Andrea, Me

Andrea had her school speech at her school, so she had to train back at 1pm. That was the last time that Mitchell will see her for most likely quite some time, but I will still see them both. We took some purikura as well to commemorate the occasion (click the one to the left to see the rest).

Afterwards, Mitchell and myself killed time in the park, and went off to Karaoke later on. It was, well, karaoke. After it was finished, I was running a little late (I was meant to be home by 6.30pm), so I had to walk to the station to pick up my bike. I looked frantically amongst a sea of a few thousand bikes to try and find mine (they all look the same here), and then panic set in when I realized that it wasn’t there. I was sure that I hadn’t parked it in the outside park, so I phoned Mitchell who saved the day. There is two underground bike carparks, and silly old me had just forgotten where I left it.

After wasting 15 minutes looking for my bike, I was late home which I felt really bad about (since it was originally six and I asked to move it to 6.30pm).

Today is my last day of school, and I am going in from 11.50am because they have tests. I’ve almost moved from the sadness of leaving to having accepting it and looking forward to getting back. I packed my bags last night which felt really weird, and it looks like I’m going to make the weight restrictions for luggage (I only get 20kgs!). I’m really glad I sent home that box like a month ago. I’m going to take a bajillion photos today, so hopefully I can find time to put them on my blog before I get back.

Last Full Day of School

As you would have guessed from the title, I had my last full day of school. I thought I’d just put in some photos of school in Japan because there hasn’t really been any up until now.

Yuya, Shogo (Swimming Club) and Me

It was my last Japanese English world history, and mathematics class today, so I took photos with the teachers as well.

Maths Teacher

During long home room, my home room teacher told the class that on my last day (Thursday), instead of some study related assembly, we would be having class recreation because it will be my last period of school (ever). He got the whole thing moved about a month away for me (can’t believe it). This was after my class finished planning my leaving party on Saturday, which everyone is pitching $10 in for.

Mecha Kawaii

My school has been so good to me, I really don’t want to think about leaving (I know I’ve been harping on about this for a while), but it is the same feeling I had before coming to Japan. No matter what you do time will just keep ticking, it is already four days until I leave.