End of a long week of goodbyes...

This week has been sayonnara week - eight days straight of leaving parties, school assembly speeches, last lessons, lunches - with friends, students, teachers past and present. At the beginning of this week I was most worried about getting the speeches and letters written, and wondering how, even if I managed to put what these three years have meant to me into words, I would ever be able to get that across in front of all these people. How can I ever show my gratitude to all the people who have been so kind to me and taught me so much?

Now, at the other end of this week, although I'm not sure if I'll ever be done saying thank you, I have at least basically conveyed what I wanted to say. I have learnt more in this one week than in any other week during my time here; my role, my achievements, the sheer effect that living here for three years has had on me, and exactly how much I have changed during that time, have really come into focus for me. I've had the opportunity to do and say things for the first time and put words to ideas and feelings that had until now been unclear. I guess that is closure.

Now isn't the time to go into all of that. What I really want to say tonight is just how utterly overwhelmed I have been by all the things people have written and said to me this week. The messages and flowers from all the kids were so cute and I am going to really miss hanging out at school and all the larking about that went on both in and out of lessons; it is a big loss for me not to be a part of these super kids' daily lives any more. I have so much respect for all the teachers here who made me feel so welcome and have taught me so much, it has been fascinating to work with such an inspired (and inspring) group of people. And to this particularly outstanding group of friends (many of whom were at the Aji party tonight - thank you soooooo much!) - I couldn't have asked for more supportive, grounded or hilarious people to swing it with in Tsugaru - it's been awesome hanging with you guys!!

Of course there is a sad side to leaving (sniff sniff!) and I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that no-one's seen me upset, cos upset I certainly have been at times when it seems (rather self-centrically considering that the one leaving is me!) that these hundreds of brilliant people are just going to fall out of my life, that there is a limit to the number of fun times we can have and that limit is coming soon, or has already passed. But everytime I was with people this week, I couldn't help smiling to be with the people who I have so many happy memories with, and by having to face saying goodbye to them all I have at least been saved from the greater evil of taking them - and my time with them - for granted. I feel really lucky to have had so many good times and anyway, it's not the case that people automatically disappear from your life just because you leave.

Ok, sorry, end of sapp-fest (for today at least!) but hey you gotta say this stuff when you feel it. It's been a pretty emotional week for mooses. }:-)

P.S. To anyone on my messenger list - there are party photos here...