graduation!!!

I had to take down the pictures of this post.

ok. fine. so i’m a little late, but we had graduation some weeks ago. all the third year students get dressed up in kimono (mostly girls, but some guys would dress up too) or suits, and march in twos. i teared up a little, but managed to hold it together among all my fellow tight-lipped japanese teachers. this year’s graduates were my favorites. i felt we had, in particular, achieved some level of camaraderie. we shared jokes . . . we chatted in both english and japanese . . . i went to see their rock bands live . . . . i played sports with them . . . . i went to their games and practices to watch them. i liked them a whole lot.

japanese high school graduations are generally held during the morning on a normal school day. all students and teachers attend, along with parents and guests. it’s usually held in the gym, and it’s pretty ceremonial, just like america. and then there’s picture taking, talking, and laughter afterward. however, unfortunately this year i had to take off immediately following the ceremony because i had to rush to osaka. damn! so, no pictures actually with the students. but, here are some during the graduation . . .

i, myself, was pretty sad to see them go . . . . but their ghosts remain running through the halls and playing on the fields. sitting in the seats during the classes i teach, their laughter echoes. i only hope i affected their lives in some way as they have affected mine . . . .