So Long, Scotty!

As we approach the start of summer break, I’m solemnly reminded that this job simultaneously makes time fly and slowly drain the life force out of you with every passing lesson plan. Every day, you wear a mask and exude energy and positivity no matter what you’re feeling inside. Your frustrations, your concerns, they don’t belong within 25 kilometers of the teacher’s room. Some days, your smile doesn’t quite reach your eyes. We call this normality. At this point, everyone, Japanese teachers, English speakers and especially the students, are ready for a break.

Side note: not that the students get much of a break. Even though there are no classes, some of the older students still must come to school nearly every day for club activities and extra studying. In a few cases, summer break amounts to a whopping 36 hours. 

My decadent summer vacation begins in just over a week and will last roughly three weeks. I’m counting down the days until I’m on the night bus heading towards Tokyo for three days! I’ll be going up to Fukushima for a couple days more, home in Kitakami for a weekend of festivals then meandering through northern Tohoku for beaches, caverns and more festivals. But as excited as I am to finish this term, I am also very sad that one of my new friends won’t be coming back after the break.

Scott is going back to California, and while we haven’t known each other long, we’ve still managed to become friends. True, we don’t know each other’s deepest darkest secrets, and most of what we do know of each other came out over drinks at nomihodai or Mama-san’s table, I’m going to miss him nevertheless. And I know I’m not alone: Scott’s just a naturally likeable guy, so he’s easily made plenty of friends who will be sad to see him go.

But I’m a firm believer that there’s no point in dragging yourself through a mire of misery and frustration when you could just as easily pick yourself up, dust off and take another path. Everyone who doesn’t live under 30 feet of bedrock knows the scene of “The Lord of the Rings” when Gandalf is dangling over the abyss, staring piercingly at the Fellowship. Just before his fingers release and he sweeps into darkness, he rasps: “Fly, you fools.”

“Well, DUH” the frustrated masses scream! Use some of that Middle Earth magic, call up the so-called “neutral” giant eagles and FLY TO MORDOR rather than losing your friends and minds going on foot…or Ent as the case may be. 

Okay? The truth is plain and simple: don’t fight an uphill battle. Do what is going to make your life easier and happier. Scott is a great example of this, and I have so much respect for the man. He is doing what is best for him, and that takes quite a bit of courage. 

It’s funny: we of the enlightened age preach about doing what makes us happy, but while the choice to pick up and walk away from a situation in which we are unhappy, we thwart ourselves by fighting stoically on. People are proud and stubborn. That’s the truth. And many of us are scared of taking an uncertain step in a different direction than the one we’ve set out on. The unknown is scary or exciting depending on perspective and personality. I know I have a hard time with it. 

 

We've had our laughs, and I'll never forget the numerous good times! Scott was the first to propose that everyone would have a serial killer alter-ego based on their pet-peeves. This is the kind of humor you come across with ALTs. 

Scott aka Tiny Dancer: cuts off the feet of people who shuffle when they walk, and leaves a brand new pair of Nike’s by their stumps.

Quiet Justice: pet peeve—inconvenient, noisy, misguided and confused protesters. They die. That’s all you need know.

Noodles: noodle slurpers beware. If your food is good enough to inhale, it’s good enough to choke on.

Red Asphalt: and you thought you knew road rage. 

 So, Scott, I wish you all the best! It was great spending time, camping, hiking, drinking with you and we’re all going to miss the pleasure of your company. But I hope you realize the lasting impact every person has on the lives of the people they meet. You stay outta trouble, you hear?