kittoaomori

[kittoaomori]

[kittoaomori]

[kittoaomori]

One of my last adventures in Aomori. Went to Sei-ryuji, a temple in Aomori City that holds a giant Buddha statue as well as the tallest wooden pagoda north of Kyoto.

I spent all day looking for Ichigan Kannon; a deity who promises one wish. Could not figure out for the life of me which of the 30 deities it was, so I made it rain on just about every statue there and hoped someone heard my prayer (･ω-人) (at 昭和大仏 青龍寺)

[kittoaomori]

I miss my wife very much it's been 8 days since I last saw her And I sorta hate this, a lot. I know I'm getting a fresh start and new adventures doing this, and she's living out her good life back in Aomori but I just...miss her. And my other co workers. And friends. I only get mad jealous feels when it comes to my wife tho :c

[kittoaomori]

Went out with my bar crew tonight, Shino-san treated me to steak and paid my entire bar tab which was crazyyyyyy. He spoiled me so much tonight. We talked for a long time, and Ai-chan gave me a special cake she just made that day. Tomochan gave me some pickled veggies and a hand made wreath using my favorite color to use at my new place. I wasn't able to talk to them very much so I decided we should have a jyoshi-kai (girls party) next Tuesday now that I'm in town just a littttlleeee longer.

We went to the first place I ever followed Bar Master and Shino-san to, two years ago. Had their famous curry ramen and drank a bit more...towards the end I hugged Shino-san goodbye. He told me I was like his daughter, and I replied "So...you won't marry me?" And he bashfully looked away laughing at me.

Bar Master took me home in his daiko for the last time...we hugged pretty tight and he shook my hand to which I then said 'I'll see you next Tuesday I swear! This isn't goodbye- just last daiko ride. Thank you for that always'

And idk....if it hits me later I'll cry the most about saying goodbye to the people who gave me a place in Towada when I was so unsure about everything. I love those guys so much :c

[kittoaomori]

Saying goodbye to Higashi Junior high school (東中) was so hard. Out of all the schools in Towada, I taught here the longest and I truly loved my kids here. On the last day (水曜日) I had an interview project with my 3年生. They would come to the science lab and ask me questions about my life so far in Japan, where I've been, what type of idols I like, and what my favorite animes are. Their questions got a little ridiculous and the lab was filled with laughter more often than not 😂 After the last groups finished I would pack up and return to their classroom to find the board decorated with a goodbye message to me💕 The first time I saw Yusuke on the board (3年3組) I got so excited and yelled "Oh my god!! YUSUKE!!" And my kids bursted out laughing again. 3年1組 also drew Yusuke; right next to "Kaitlyn pose!" 🤣 We took class pictures, I tearfully told them to keep having fun with English, hugged a few goodbye. It was the best "last class" I could have asked for. 東中本当にありがとうございました. 授業と給食いつも面白かった😂楽しかったです😊忘れられません. 大事な思い出.

[kittoaomori]

Today I jad the most appropriate ending at my sorta hellish elementary school. And by hellish- honestly it wasn't that bad, it was just hard. And anyone who knows my schedule knows this. At that school there was one teacher I taught every hour with, for grades 3-6th, and just omg. The 4th grade made too many pancakes and gave us one, but we were so busy and then full after lunch we decided to eat it after 6th period. It was there I could exchange gifts with her- in the home ec classroom, as our favorite students filtered in and out wondering what we were doing haha and just, we got to talk privately and nonchalantly for once.

I told her how I only survived this semester because of her. She told me that out of all ALTs she works with I have the most game ideas, that I'm always willing to be genki for the kids, and that she's worried about what will come next with me gone. We talked about America, summer, moving and the students. We even gossiped a bit haha. And just....I'm gonna miss her. Every Tuesday and Thursday- I was so tired and I wanted it to end. But now that it's over, and so many of my 'rude lil ones' came up to say they enjoyed class and that they didn't want me to leave...and my co-teacher and me getting closer finally...it's almost a shame.

Today was my last class ever in Towada, Aomori. 大変お世話になりました.

[kittoaomori]

I cried so much today

Today I had to say goodbye to my JHS of 16 months. I was with my 3rd years and they had to interview their ALT for a chapter project and I was in a separate room- laughing so hard with every other group that came in. At then end a few said "Thank you Ms.Kaitlyn, we love you!" "Don't forget us!" "See you- AGAIN!!"

I would come back to the main class and see this amazing chalk board art they made to say goodbye. 2 classes drew Yusuke from Yu Yu Hakusho (many asked in the interview about anime lolol) and agh one class drew me in my "Kaitlyn pose" and ahdjdvsj I sobbed so hard leaving today. Like...so hard.

Then- TO CHEER UP- I went to go see Jurassic world. I thought "I'll see Blue and Chris Pratt and some long necks living post trauma fron last time"....NOPE. LITERALLY KILLED ME LIKE THEY DID LAST TIME WITH THAT ONE SCENE. I have not felt this tired from crying in a while.

Work is finished now at least...2 am...last day of school in Towada ever tomorrow... 頑張ります(*•̀ᴗ•́*)و ̑̑

[kittoaomori]

Omg…. I feel…so terrible? I had nothing but bad memories at my first JHS here. Like..it went to hell, particularly with the grade I taught with this teacher in. But like I did enjoy sitting across from her and talking during our off time, but there were other times that we had really awkward convos like ‘why do we allow bullying here? Why aren’t we doing something?’ And just a few other strong bad memories… But i taught her daughter in my first ES grade 6 class and I loved her. And this teacher and I really did have some solid conversations…towards the end we were kind of ok…and whenever i saw her i think she was kinda confused/hurt that I was so close with my other JHS JTE fron that year (drinking buddy level) and just…

This really…moved me? I’m confused almost if it’s sincere…but why would she go out of her way to find an old email exchange we had (xmas 2016 lesson) to message me of it wasn’t sincere?

I’m….so touched and feel so much lighter having some of that bad memory lifted by this….

Thank you K-sensei 💖

[kittoaomori]

Beginning of the end

Today I had to tell my 8th graders (2年生) that after next week- it's goodbye. Out of all my current schools and students, these kids were going to be the hardest ones to tell, so I told them first. I had various reactions.

I broke down in tears in front of my wild class, and I'm surprised to say so many of my boys started crying with me. Their HRT told me after to comfort a few in particular.

One class responded in silence. Like the sad vibes were strong and they just didn't know what to say.

Another class responded with surprise and a bit of rebellion? "Whhu whaat?? No! No! Why?" "Kaitlyn go- no!" "(She's not here until graduation??)" "( Are we getting a boy ALT next? Noo! I don't want that!)" "(I don't a girl either tho! Kaitlyn's cute!)" My teacher expained what my new job will be and they started clapping for me like they were proud of me 💖😭

My 2nd years haven't seen me in two weeks because of tests, and they literally were all smiles today to see me. And then I say this and it's like 😟😭🤔😞☹️🙍

[kittoaomori]

Sunday vibes

[kittoaomori]

For the first time in forever things aren't going to work out so easily I think.

I really bombed that university interview. I nailed the japanese work place part but the core- the lesson, which focuses on communication- straight up bombed it. I felt so out of my element when the interviewer asked me about my typical work day and I asked "Which one? Elementary or JHS?" And she said "Well letls focus on what's close to university level, so your oldest students in JHS"

Like that's the grade I have zero creative freedom with. That's the grade many JETs see the least of... I felt so envious of High School ALTs!!

I'm so preoccupied with teaching 3rd -6th grade lately I've forgotten how to teach my big kids. I'm nowhere near remotely ready for University level communication classes...

BUT THATS OKAY!

Because honestly if I can secure an ES interview, I feel 20x more confident I can land the job. And at this point? Anything to move locations and stay here is welcome

[kittoaomori]

I vaguely remember...

Someone asking me why I thought my major was a little nerve wracking. And I explained "It's International Studies...It basically tells you right there you can't stay in your hometown to pursue it."

I was so nervous in 2015 after I grabbed that diploma. Like wtf will I do with this? I get homesick so easy. How will I ever develop my life? Do I need to go abroad? WHO WILL HIRE ME??

To my 2015 self, it's okay. You were right, and your 20's will be spent abroad. You develop yourself first, and your life will follow. Your skill set is something to be reckoned with, and if you work hard anyone will hire you.

[kittoaomori]

江戸ワンダーランド 日光, 栃木県

[kittoaomori]

“Yes! A garden metaphor! I love the garden metaphor! I just love ‘em!”

[kittoaomori]

Osaka Castle, Mid Bloom

[kittoaomori]

Today I had my sweet goofy children, aka Higashi jhs 2nd years. I used to get scared or hesitant about lunch time back in my first few months of teaching, but now I just finish class and stop my kids mid 'aisatsu' and say 'Ah also! May I have lunch with you?? :3'

And my 2nd years will always give an enthusiastic 'YEASSS' and clap/grin/etc.

It's lil things, like that and goofing off with them that makes me feel like this job is worth it? Yeah.

Also finally saw my fav boy from Elementary school who is now a 1st year. I walk up to the special classroom and he's literally standing at the door window grinning and bouncing and just so darn cute. My teacher asks him where this and that is for me to use and he bounds to go get anything we need and agh jeez. Good kids.

On that note tho I'd like to say I literally taught every period today, and I'm fucking exhausted. Tomorrow at ES I also teach 1st to 6th period straight and have an hour long meeting (or longer) after... Thank god for these kids