With just one week left in Japan I am eager to tie up all loose ends and make the most of what little time I have left. Today 桜 and I taught English classes all day – covering aspects of Indigenous Australian History as well as talking about Australia and Japan as a whole. It was really tiring and I have come to appreciate how much work actually goes in to teaching. Making a class plan, executing it, improving it, and then doing in 4-5 times over is incredibly hard, so for all those teachers out there, I definitely appreciate your dedication to your craft.

Yesterday I borrowed Far From The Maddening Crowd from the library, and am really enjoying reading it on the way to school. After school finished today, 夏帆 and I rushed to Harajuku to meet Nick and Keiko, my family friends, for lunch. The two took us out for Gyoza at an amazing restaurant, and afterwards we visited Magnolia, a cupcake shop that originated in Tokyo. All of the food was so delicious and, best of all, cheap!

We then walked from Harajuku to Shibuya, to meet 桜, as she is staying over tonight. Once everyone was home we all studied together until dinner time, and then feasted on various Japanese dishes, such as red bean soup and mochi.

It is so interesting to reflect on my time here, and though short, I believe that it has had a large impact on the way I view Japanese people, as well as Japan as a whole. I hope that, I too, have been able to somewhat bridge the gap between Australia and Japan, if only a little. If I can change one person’s view of Australia, make them more aware of the world around them, or if I can help one person learn one phrase in English, I will be content that I have fulfilled the purpose of my stay. 

-H