Pan Asian Goes Global

Yatsushiro, Japan.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember Yatsushiro.  With Kumamon paraphernalia, school posters, and letters decorating my room, songs on my phone/laptop that have already become associated with my time there, and the memories that I carry with me wherever I go, how can I ever forget? It's March 9th today.  The name of one of the songs from Remioromen. It's a graduation song. Soon, my 3rd year Junior High School students will be graduating.  I remember. When I first taught them when they were in grade 6, three and a half years ago.  I saw these children grow into the teenagers they are today.  I loved the energy and joy that these students had.  They'll soon enter high school, beyond the realm of whatever influence I may have had. Soon, my grade sixes will graduate.  I remember.  When I told a particular class that I would be leaving them for good that summer.  How some of the students cried, h...

月曜日、ラマダンが始まって、私が夏に帰るのを生徒にも伝え始めました。 小学校Bの６年生に伝えた時、一人の女の子が泣いてきました。その子を見て、私も熱いものが込み上げてきました。その後、他の女の子もほとんど泣きました。先生として、皆を元気付けようとして、「（昼休みの鬼ごっこで）私よりもっと速い人がいますか？」と彼らに尋ねました。鬼ごっこを始める前に女の子達からいくつの手紙をもらいました。一人が「 私はマナ先生は私たちが卒業するまでいっしょにいてほしかったです。。まだ２ヶ月くらいあるのになみだがとまりませんでした 」と書いていました。 心が。。。 引っ越しの準備の間、心の準備をするのはなんかつらいです。 On Monday, Ramadan started and I also started telling my students I am leaving this summer. When I told the grade 6s at Elementary School B, one girl started crying. Looking at her made me teary-eyed too. Soon after, most of the other girls started crying as well. As a teacher, I wanted to try to cheer them up, so I asked them "Is there anyone faster than me!?" in regards to playing tag during the lunch break. Before we played tag, I got a number of letters from the girls. One girl wrote " I wanted you to be with us until we graduated... Although there's still about 2 months, my tears haven't stopped ". My heart... Among the things on...