Another day over

For the second time in as many recent school events, I've managed to be... chagrinned.

I noticed, on several occasions, that I know the seating arrangements of my Urawa students more than I know their names, personalities, or our history together. It's a bigger school. It's less personal.

I had to give a speech this morning. I expected to go on stage, talk, get out. Not so however. The principal, a nice woman who I've talked to for seconds this year, told the students how great a teacher I was. I said my bit and was presented with a bouquet. It wasn't as fancy as the flowers from Shonan, and they look like they're dying already, but it was nice to get something.

One of my team teachers, who is being let go, spent some time talking to me. I also had some good conversations with the judo coach, retired as of today, and a teacher being transferred to Shonan.

The longest part of my day was spent cleaning the student dormitory for the judo camp starting tomorrow. 小島先生, the judo teacher, asked me to come to judo practice in the next few days, so I can pick up the embroidered black belt he had made for me. Haha, black belt. Anyway, the kids were great. They gave me a framed picture thing, and we said our maybe-goodbyes.

Mixed day.