WARNING!! I didn't know it'll turn out to be such a long postRahh, sorry for the slow updates I'm not really into blogging though, I have no idea what to blog about. :(.
Looking forward for this Saturday, I'm going back to school, there's a celebration.
105th Anniversary of St. John's Institution.
It's been almost a month since I left Japan but it feels like just yesterday I packed my stuffs in the hotel at Narita. I still miss everyone as much. To me, the best time during the whole program was from homestay onwards! The first few days were a bit (1%) disappointing, not the tour but something else and I'm not gonna mention here. Just a tiny bit of disappointment.
During the homestay, I met more people and made some friends over there.
Yes, I admit I was abit worried that I might not be able to communicate well with my host parents and all. But it turned out everything is fine. Although my host mum doesn't really speak English, but she tried to.
Going to school was great! It was quite sad that we couldn't attend their classes as they were having test. So we ended up going for tour and all. But yeah, I did get the chance to meet some students and be friends with, and they're friendly! During the arrival orientation on the first day, they told us to break the ice first, so I did and I'm happy bout it.
The bond with my friends over there grew stronger as we had outing together over the weekend. Saturday we went for bowling organized by the English club, and Sunday we went for a tour around the city with the host families.
On the last day of the homestay period, 15th Dec (Monday), everything felt different. When I stepped in the library, it was quiet and everyone was rather down. It was a feeling that no words can describe, trust me, you don't want to experience that! Soon later, some of the host sisters tears start to fall. I went over to my friend and tried to calm her down but it I failed. Later on, she asked for a picture together, so I passed my camera to someone to take for us. She leaned on my shoulder and I placed my hand on her left shoulder. That was the photo that I love most. Soon later, they have to leave due to class is going on and they are getting the results back. I know they do not want leave but stay behind and spend the very last moment together with us but they had no choice. I was sad knowing that they are leaving but I stayed strong not to break down.
Later on, we moved from the library to the computer lab as Mr. McCartney asked us to write a thank-you letter to our host family and also to the school. When I found out that my friends (host siblings to some of them) that they'll be coming to the computer lab during period break, I was glad at that moment! When they first step in the computer lab, I was happy to see them again! And then, she came running fast, excitedly towards the computer lab and shouting. You can see a smile on her face showing her happiness. As she step in the computer lab, she fell on the ground. I know it was pain, but she laughed and smiled. She then brought her pencil case, it was a transparent, plain pencil case and gave it to me, asking me to write a message for her. So I did. After that when it was time for them to leave again, most of us broke down again, and yes, this time was the worst cause it could be the last time meeting each other
(as an AFS exchange) as we're leaving. She broke down really badly. I went over to her and gave her a hug while trying to calm her down.
Right before they leave, we manage to have a group photo together in the computer lab. Then they left reluctantly. Another sad moment.
We realized someone left a blazer in the computer lab and Mr. McCartney told us that it belongs to her, he gave an idea to leave a note in her pocket to give her a surprise. So yeah, Emily (her host sister) wrote a note and put in her pocket, so did I.
After we're done with our speech, shut down the computer and we head back to the library to get our stuffs down to the school entrance. Taxis were waiting at the entrance for us. The school principal came down and gave a short speech. So did Mr McCartney and Mrs Arata. After putting our luggage into the taxi, we saw them running towards us. We were happy to see each other again! We manage to take some photos and a group photos in front of the school. Then she came to me and we took another photo together. I felt really sad this time that we are going to leave. I couldn't believe myself that 6 days just past like that! And it's time to say good-bye til we meet again as we have to catch the train to Tokyo, so we can't be late... Right before I get on the taxi, I told her and others, that we will keep in touch and meet up again, and this time I get in the taxi reluctantly. :(. As the taxi turn around and move towards the exit, everyone of them ran to the exit and waved.. I really don't want to leave them so soon! I wish I could stay behind and spend more time with them, but there's no way..
*she gave me a Patrick clip that was clipped in her bag, I held it everywhere I went in Japan, either holding it or clip it on my nametag.
** I'm really glad and happy that we're still in contact, we've been emailing each other everyday since the day I got back home. Our friendship grew stronger and bigger each day....
*** She sent me a Christmas card which is really thoughtful and nice of her.
**** I will never forget such person like her. I'm so glad getting to know her!
Upon arriving the Fukuyama train station, we met our host parents there... We were waiting outside and had a talked with our host parents until Yasushi came and brought us in. My host mum's eyes were red, I thank her soo much and hugged her before I leave. My host dad was no where in sight. My host mum said that he's inside waiting. When we were all waiting at the platform for the train, he came up slowly at the escalator. I was glad to see him again. We had a little chat and the train came... As the train moved, that marked the end of my homestay period! :(.
with my host mum at Fukuyama station.
Soon later, my fellow bus P mates hopped in the train at certain station. We are glad to meet up again. And it felt like the unity of the bus became stronger. It wasn't like this before we left for homestay. Everyone of us seems like we know each other for years. As we arrived in the hotel at Tokyo, all 660 participants and 66 educators are staying under one roof. I was quite excited and anxious to meet my Malaysians friends again, but there's a lil bit of disappointment there, just a bit, 1%. The next day, we were still traveling in Bus P group around Tokyo. And later we came to know that we'll be separated from Bus P and back to our own country group at the end of the day! Everyone of us tried to spend as much time together as possible in the bus on the way to 2 separate hotels. (Malaysia, Indonesia, India) and (Australia, Philipines, NZ, Thailand). When we're almost reaching the 1st hotel, Tom came up with a chant! All of us were at the top of our voice following Tom. It felt really good!! When we got down the bus, we did it again, yes, in public.. half on the bus. and the others were outside..
The next day, we had AFS JENESYS Festival and wrap up orientation. Orientation was great cause it was with our fellow Bus P mates again. We were so glad to meet up again! We all took photos with each other the whole time and write messages/exchange emails on a book, jacket as well. When it's time to leave, and it was the moment where we'll see each other again as a group, everyone started hugging each other. It was a moment where you really really don't feel like going.... Jesse and James kept carrying me up and move everywhere.. It felt fun as they carry me up..... Then, it was the time where we're back to our own country group.... :(.
When we got back in our own country, some of the Bus P mates immediately created Facebook account to stay in touch. I then created a group called "Bus P for Patrick" and everyone start joining in! So yeap, it was great that we're still in contact!
Okay, I'm feeling kinda..... mixed feelings... I don't know how to describe it. And it's 3.37am right now! I wrote this post for almost an hour! Never thought it'll be that long.
I miss her, Eishin school mates, host parents, Bus P mates and others alot, until today!!
I'm still thinking bout it every night...
It's not the end but the beginning of life! We'll definitely have the chance to meet up again.. Most of all, keep in touch and stay in contact. That's the first thing we MUST do.
That's all for now,
I know it's kinda boring! :(.
p.s sorry if I made any grammatical mistakes and all. It's really late now, or should I say early?
