Simple.

It's July 4th and I have just a month left in Japan. Though I have plenty of fun things to do before I leave, this past week I was overcome by an eagerness to return home. As my job here winds down, many of my thoughts have turned to seeing family and old friends again, as well as moving on to my next venture in Cambodia. I don't usually like to get ahead of myself, but with so much to look forward to, it has been hard not to...

However, today I had my final day of lessons at Naruko Elementary School. Though I've only taught a handful of times at this school, it has quickly become my favorite. For starters, they keep me busy almost the whole day, rather than the 3 free periods I receive at the JHS everyday. Also, the faculty room is more relaxed than the JHS (as are all the elementary schools I visit) and many of the teachers are extremely (excessively?) chatty. Additionally, one of the homeroom teachers has taken a proactive role in planning all of the lessons with me (usually I am on my at own at the primary schools). Oh! And the students are absolute gems, so much fun. I've discovered I only really need to do three things to succeed at the elementary level in Japan.

1) Win more often than I lose at Rock, Paper, Scissors. This game is insanely popular in Japan (I've heard it was invented here). They play to decide things, but more often just for the fun of it. Games are endless, and 8years olds cannot believe that I will throw Scissors 14 times in a row. But, I do. Also, never Paper (seriously, it "covers" rock?).

2) Sing and Dance Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes so fast that the kids fall down.

3) Sign autographs. Endlessly. One kid today had five on the same piece of paper and still wasn't satisfied.

But on to my point. Today after 3rd period with my 4th graders, two girls followed me out of the classroom and summoned the courage to whisper my name as I was walking down the stairs. They gave me a note in a small red envelope--at first glance I noticed the printed English writing on it, which said "Girlish Style". I chuckled, and asked if I could open it now. Embarrassed, the girls squirmed and told me to open it later. Finally after lunch I had a free minute and opened the envelope to find a very sweet note. It was written in Japanese, though on stationary with shamrocks and some more Engrish. At the top: "A trip creating memories. Is your mind fine?" and at the bottom: "Closer to your dreams when you shine ultimately". I chuckled again at the peculiar language, and then realized it was rather profound for a piece of stationary, especially at this point in my life. The note thanked me for teaching them and reminding me to stay safe and genki when I return home. Big, big smile. As I returned the note to its envelope, I saw another tidbit of English. It said, very simply, "*Enjoy where you are and what you have.*"

What more could I ever want?