Graduation

Today is graduation day. My 3rd year students (9th graders) are leaving. They've done well. I'm proud of them. It's difficult to be responsible for your own future. Many of them still don't understand exactly what that means, and are just going on to the next step, the next place. They don't know that they can go anywhere they want to go or do anything they want to do. They are so many things to see. I wonder what they will see.

Of course, they will go places I will never go. They will do things I will never do. And yet, our lives will be the same. We will all be people and we're the same.

Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I didn't want to live abroad. If I didn't have any interest in foreign language. If all I wanted was the house the kids and the husband. An office job and a dog. I'll never know. Because although those things are nice, I want something different.

Before I felt sad for my friends and other people I knew who were 'trapped' in that life. I thought that they were just as upset as I was when I lived that life. Eventually I realized that they didn't feel that way. They might not like everything about their lives, but overall, they liked it. I tried to be happy with that life, and I failed. All I wanted was to come here. And any commitment that could interfere with that wish made me uncontrollably sad, and I ran away from it.

So now I don't feel sorry for my friends back home, and I don't feel sorry for my students and the lives they will have. Even if they work at a gas station or someplace I would find inadequate, perhaps they like it. Or perhaps it allows them the life they want. Or maybe it's just a stop on their way someplace else.

In the past few months, I've come to some peace with myself and my life. I am who I am. I can't be anyone else. Sometimes I might wish I could see life from someone else's perspective. I think it would be interesting. Especially to be at ease in places that I feel uncomfortable in in my life. Or to be a part of a group I was never a part of.

Deborah used to tell me that just because I'm choosing one thing, doesn't mean that I need to feel like I'm missing out. If I choose to do something, it doesn't mean there is something better happening and I'm excluding myself from it. I used to always be upset that I couldn't do everything I wanted every day. Now I realize it just means I can be happy everyday, no matter what I choose to do.

I know that although I could have done different things with the students, I impacted them. I can see it. I also received a letter from a student. She asked me not to let anyone else read it. I promised I wouldn't. She's not the best at English. But she just shines. I know that I connected with her. I know that for the rest of her life, she won't be the same person. And I know how special she is. I hope she continues to be the beautiful person I see. There are many fun and funny students in my classes. She was always a bit quiet. Didn't raise her hand much, didn't join the English speech contest. But I would have to say she is my favorite student. We connected in a profound way. I'll never forget her. I'll always think of her. I'll always wonder where she is and what she's doing. I'll always be proud of her.

It's really true what they say in the landmark advanced course. You have a possibility. Great. Good for you. But where the real power is, is sharing that possibility; is having someone else get it too. If there's nothing happening over there [with the other person] then it's just you. The real power is in inspiring others.

And so I'm sad to see my students go. But I'm so excited at the same time. I can't wait for them to leave. Whether they know it or not, or want to or not, they'll take the rest of us with them.

Buggy

Ok.  Unlike the other secrets of Nankan, that I, you know, enjoyed discovering, this one could have just stayed hidden.  I am referring to my (very) recent encounter with an unwelcome house guest - a spider.  Walk into the toilet room and there it is on the wall near the window, hanging out.  Bigger than the size of a half dollar if you include the legs (which I do for any spiders other than danny long-legs).  

I surprised myself, I didn't scream.  I think I said Oh My God and started breathing like I just ran for 20 minutes.  

Since I don't mind spiders if they're outside and keep their distance (I mean, they do eat other bugs you know?) I decided to try and 'save' it.  I opened the window and tried to 'help' it outside. But it didn't like that idea and it started coming towards me with alarming speed (in a room about 4 feet squared) and I swatted it.  I swatted it good.  It curled up in a little ball and didn't try to move again as I picked it up on the swatter and threw it out the window.  But you know, spiders are really good at playing dead, so it might be alright.  I didn't see it's brains or anything and all the limbs were attached.

I'll tell you one thing: I don't know if I'll ever have to pee again.

My Magnificent Mile

How many days in life do we keep with us?  When the world slows and every thing is natural and yet has the excitement of discovery?  

I don't know.  But I do know that I have had one of these days.  And it was magnificent.  I took a picture and video diary of my experience.  All of these pictures were taken in Nankan.  

Other people may pass Nankan by.  Or, more likely, never even know they have passed Nankan by.  But the discoveries I made are all the more special because I know few have ever made them.  

Out front of Nankan High School.  Call the fire department!

A small temple.

Chestnuts are in season in the fall.  The outside is furry looking and the 'nut' is soft.

Inside Nankan, the signs only tell you how to get to surrounding cities.  They don't tell you how to find anything in Nankan.  Take the next right for 'downtown' Nankan.

Orange moss!  I knew I belonged here!

Nankan High School

The small Buddhist temple.

An empty chestnut shell.

In December, I asked a teacher what she did over the weekend.  She said she spent all day Sunday in her garden planting.  I laughed.  "What could you plant in winter?"  "Winter flowers." was her answer.  I laughed again, "Plants die in winter!"

I love this picture.  I was quite scared to cross this path.  But I couldn't walk away from it.  So I took the risk of losing my balance and getting all wet and walked across.  Funny that a little thing like that would make such a difference.  But once I'd done it I felt fantastic.

This is an old tree in on the grounds of Nankan 第小学校 (first elementary school).  There are many poles supporting it because it's so old.

A larger Buddhist temple.  

A map of Nankan and places of interest.  When I saw this, I first thought, 'Wow there's only eight.'  Then I thought 'Wow!  There're eight!  Wait, where is that one, I haven't seen that yet.'

And back home.  I think this is the best picture of my home to date.  If only because the sun is shinning and the sky is a beautiful blue.