SCHOOL LIFE: Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16, Tuesday July 20, Jeff's going away party...

 These two days of class were nothing extraordinary. Thursday first period is Japanese class, and we went into a lengthy discussion about the need for convenience stores to be open 24 hours a day. It's obvious that a convenience store is only there to be convenient; having them close early defeats the purpose. As this class is made entirely of Chinese students they were very outspoken during the discussion. Some argued that convenience stores use up too much electricity; however, I asserted that there are a multitude of things that use electricity on a 24-hour basis. There was also the point about food that is wasted every day because people don't buy them (an argument just as applicable to McDonald's). Either way it was a mildly enthused debate mainly due to the fact I had sufficient language skill to take part in it. In the end I said that the thousands of vending machines in any given area of Japan could be a better way to reduce electricity costs than convenience stores.

 The second period on Thursday was Chinese class. I don't really remember learning anything but there was a long discussion about wedding licenses in Japan, China and the United States. This is the one class that I'm unsure of continuing next term... unless I really step up learning Chinese. It might be time for a Chinese girlfriend... (that's the only way to motivate me for anything sadly enough).

 Friday was Jeff's class. People worked in stations to learn about Japan's national parks and America's national park history. Everyone completed their tasks with ease so I had little to do during the class period. The next class after this would be Jeff's very last.

 Tuesday the first period was Jeff's last class. He mainly talked to all the students about what they learned about national parks and wrapped up his lessons, taking pictures of the students for his going-away party that would be held that night.

 The second period- intercultural communication. This was also the last class for this term, and the teacher gave an explanation of what will take place in the continuation of the class next term. I will certainly take the class again, as it's one of the only classes I'm capable of understanding. The teacher explained the details of what will be developed on it intercultural communication, and gave the idea that this first term was just an introduction. I hope a lot of the same students continue the course.

 Later that night was Jeff's going away party. The amount of friends him and his wife had gathered in their around-4-month stay in Japan was impressive, and all the students in his class made a grand gesture in his farewell. Everyone wrote individual letters in English, and the whole night was covered in sap that's expected in any Japanese farewell. It's something that Japanese people often feel obligated to do, regardless of the genuine relationships they forge. There was a general lack of crying, however, which usually entails such occasions.

 That's a summary of the last week or so of classes, and soon they are coming to an end and summer vacation will begin. This is the real challenge of how to manage my time and explore cultural situations. The Folk Song summer trip is coming up, which is called "gasshuku" (合宿 which means a training camp, traveling together, boarding together, etc). Apparently it's all music and boozing during the trip, so I'll have to prepare my kidneys and of course, my brain so that I can remember the cultural merits of the experience. Until then I'll keep you all updated.