My Last Blog - The End

So this is the end. I've decided after 2 years that it is my time to leave Gotemba Minami High School, so this will be my last blog. I guess I'll start by giving a recap of the past few weeks.

English club had a going away party. We now have three boys in English club after some soccer players joined. Also, we recently got an exchange student from America. She came too. It was really fun, and I'm really going to miss these students.

Next, my homeroom had a leaving ceremony for me. All of the students gave me leaving speeches. After two years, I have became so close with these students. I met them every morning, and helped them with homeroom activities. I'm going to miss these students the most. I wish them all the best in life, and hope they all succeed. They gave me a note card that everyone had signed and flowers.

31 Homeroom

The next thing that happened was the leaving party. I was really surprised how many teachers came to the party. I was really happy so many did though. It doesn't feel real that I will never attend another work party. I hope I will be able to meet everyone again someday though.

The final thing that happened was I had to say goodbye to Uppi. I really don't want to leave him, but at present, I don't have a choice. Hopefully, I'll find a job in Tokyo, and I can come back to get him.

Unfortunately, due to traffic, I ended up missing giving my farewell speech, so I decided to write it here.

私ねん２年前に初めて日本に来ました。

Two years ago I came to Japan for the first time.

日本語は全然分かりませんでしたし。

I didn't know any Japanese.

私の日本も文化をほとんど知りませんでした。

I knew little about Japanese culture.

でも、御殿場南高校は家族のように迎えてくれました。

But, Gotemba Minami High School welcomed me like a family.

そして、生徒の皆さんは私の子供のようになりました。

The students became like my children.

私は一年生が成長して三年生になるのをみとどけました。

The teachers became like my brothers and sisters.

私たちは一緒にいい時間も辛い時間も経験しました。

I’ve watched the 1st year students grow and mature into 3rd year students.

たとえば、文化祭や体育祭、そしてあのとうほくちほうたいへいようおきじしんです。

We experienced both good and bad times together, for example, the culture festival, sports day, and the Touhoku earthquake.

これらのできごとをとおして、強くなり、お互い学びあうようになりました。

Through these events, we grew stronger and began to lean on each other.

私は生徒に教えたばかりでなく生徒のみなさんは私に教えてくれました。

Not only have I taught students, but also the students have taught me.

今、私は以前より強くなりました。

Now I am a stronger person.

今、私は親離れをすることものように、この学校をさらなければなりません。

Now like a grown child who leaves her parents, I must too leave this school.

苦しいけどここをはなれたくはないけれど、今私は前にすすまなければなりません。

Although it is painful, and I don’t want to leave, it is my time to move on in life.

２年間御殿場南高校の思い出ぜんぶ大切に思っています。みなさんも総出あったらいいなと思います。

I have cherished all my moments at gotemba minami high school, and I hope you will as well.

ここでの時間は早くすぎていきます。

Your time here will pass quickly。

だから、みなさんも自分の道をすすんでいってください　

And you too will eventually move on in life.

ここでの時間を賢く使うべきです。

You should spend your time here wisely.

そして、　みなさんが自分の道に向かって努力したとき、夢はかないます。

And when your time comes to move on, do your best and achieve your dreams in life.

２年間ありがとうございました。

Thank you for 2 years.

My Plans

Right now, my plan is to live in Tokyo for a month or two at most and look for a job in marketing. If I'm unable to find one, then I'm going to go back to America to look for a job probably in New York City. I guess this is goodbye. The next ALT, Catherine, is going to continue the blog. This will be the 3rd ALT to write this blog, and I hope it keeps going for a long time.

Goodbye! Michelle