Too Much

Friday a bunch of us got together to get Thai food that was ten times the price that I would have paid for in Thailand for twice the amount and was half as good, thus causing me to be ripped off by a factor of forty. And then we said goodbye to Nicky. It was really sad, but I'm reassured knowing that I will see her in a few months - we've come way too far to let everything drop. For now, I am happy that she's home, where it's cheap, she's surrounded by her loved ones, and there is cheap hummus.

The next day was my going-away party at work, where my students and coworkers absolutely spoiled me. It was pretty emotional, receiving a speech that made me seem like a competent and good teacher and such sweet gifts. Apparently I will leave the school with the legend of a trouble/travel-maker who was strict but cared for his students. I accept.

After that, we went to karaoke, where we all sang a few Japanese songs. They were just really into it! It was absolutely crazy! And of course, they paid for me. Spoiled, I was.

Following that, two of my students and I met up with some friends I recently made to go for some old-fashioned gay-clubbing. It was nice to just be completely myself with my students, for at that point they were not my students - fortunately yet unfortunately. They were just so understanding and didn't give a damn. We danced the night away.

As if the night was not long enough, after the club there was a curry... "breakfast"?, followed by me going home to prepare to move out of my apartment. It was just so weird to see my apartment reduced to a bare space, all my belongings crammed into two suitcases. Exactly how much belongings much you have somewhere to be considered as living somewhere? Two suitcases somehow seems more like "extended traveller". In any case, me and my two bags made our way to Alex's, where I will be staying for a little over a week. The school got me a hotel for a week where I will most likely not stay, but it was really odd checking in. Can it still be said that I live in Japan, or am I now simply "in transit"?

That "night", with still no sleep since Saturday morning, we went to Chi's house for a wonderful dinner. Her mother was totally sweet, her father equally sweet yet equally drunk. Chi has such a nice place: it's an actual house.

And then I went to sleep.

It's now Monday. I have two more days of work before I become unemployed. I'll save an entry about the consequences of that for another entry.