Graduation Day Bentos

9. This week brought graduation at both my schools. I was lucky enough to go to both of my schools' graduations. I only taught a class of 8 3rd years at one school and 20 3rd years at my other school, so it was a bit difficult to pick out my students who were in all different sections. But I guess that made it seem all the more special when my students would see me in the halls and yell, "Elaine!" (or rather, "Eeraine!").

Graduation was a really nice event, okay so most of it were speeches in Japanese I didn't understand, and there were times when I wanted to clap and cheer really loudly for my kids, but they don't do that here...much more somber and formal. During the ceremony, my favorite part was when each homeroom section ("kumi") stood up together, and yelled things to their homeroom teachers. I couldn't really catch what it was they were saying (except maybe the ones yelling "ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITAAAAA!") but I could tell from the teachers' reactions that the students were saying really touching things :) Afterwards my favorite parts were the students are taking pictures and celebrating and signing yearbooks. It's sure a happy time at a usually pretty somber place, and I can only imagine how emotional it would be when you know the entire grade and are watching them graduate.

At my schools, I got a bento lunch that was special for graduation day, still not sure if I'm going to end up paying for then or not. But after 2 giant lunches, I think I'm done getting them...too much food too much rice and after I feel like I'm in food coma...

Bento #1


Bento #2

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