Really official. Papers for going home were just sent in. Is it weird that I don't know how I feel about it? Ever since I've made the decision to only stay one year I've really been having a great time. I just don't know why I wasn't enjoying it as much before?
Anyways, this past Friday I had my first Japanese lesson. One of the women I teach English to is being kind enough to help me along with Japanese. The lesson is right after school and about an hour and a half. Check out my notes:
Need to designate a notebook for Japanese study.
I've also discovered the library in china, the town next to me, it's way nicer than the library in my town. Going to study there from now on!
On Sunday I helped the women I teach English with the English interviews for their English students. It was a lot of fun, then after us the four of us went out to eat at a restaurant where, very soon, you can see whales from!! How cool!!
Today, I was at an elelmentary school for half the day and at the BOE for the other half. The sea and sky were so pretty that I had to take some pictures!!
This is the view on the other side of the island. Check out those waves!!
This is from a shop right down the road from me. If the trees across from the apartment were shorter then I could see this from my apartment!!
Can you see the boat in the distance?
Better view of the sky!!
So, while I was taking these pictures I was approached by a woman asking me where I was from. Well we were talking and I found out she's from China! So, we're going to meet once a week or so for a language exchange. She'll teach me Chinese and I'll teach her English. But we'll be teaching each other with Japanese as the common language. Psyched about that!! Also, to make this even better, she owns one of the facial salons in the town!
As you can see, it's been really great on the island lately even though it's still cold... Think Ohio fall cold. So, I was sad sending in my papers. Such a difficult decision. I wonder if I'll ever feel completely happy with the decision. But, as much as I've been enjoying the time here lately, I know that teaching is not for me. And I don't think I could just teach for another year.
Luckily, I found an Okinawa-Ohio association in Columbus. How crazy?! I contacted the woman who runs it and they have an Eisa festival in September... That's the dance I'm learning right now. So, I think I'll be able to keep up my japanese and dancing skillz when I get back.
Off to the gym. Which I've been pronouncing as タラソ (ta-ra-so) because that's how you say it in Japanese. But just found out it's originally Greek and pronounced Thalasso... I think. Oh, japan. How you're ruining my English.
- Love and Miss you!
Steph
