Yesterday was my goodbye party with the English Club. I brought back funfetti cake mix from America and I still had the brownie mix from when I first came to Japan so we baked them together. The bright blue icing really freaked them out! Apparently it tastes quite different from Japanese frosting, but not that bad. We also watched She’s the Man in the AV room while the cakes were baking. The club provided the drinks and we got to eat them while watching the movie. It was really fun. Though I didn’t realize how scandalous She’s the Man is! So much kissing and naked male chests. Plus the gender reveals are even crazy by American standards. How do you explain the concept of kissing booths and southern debutantes? I think they enjoyed it though? I was happy that streaming the movie on netflix with my phone and tethered laptop worked. At the end, M presented me with a box filled with letters from them and a picture of us all together. Too sweet! I ended up crying during my thanks and made some of the girls cry too. I’m gonna miss this bunch.

Then today was my last day at Shimonita. I thought I could make it without crying, but the one on one talking and surprises did me in. I said my goodbyes to the teachers during the staff meeting, but then at lunchtime, some of the girls surprised me with thank you notes from the second years and one of the third year classes. Such beautiful art and decoration so I teared up a bit. Then in the afternoon I gave my goodbye speech with M-sensei translating. The tallest boy and only person taller than me, T, gave me a goodbye speech. He was nervous but he did a great job! He then gave me flowers as well! Later I received some omiyage and a goodbye present (daruma!) from the principal. I even had a farewell talk with him, mostly in Japanese, and he even teared up thanking me for everything I had done. I’m glad the students enjoyed having me around.