Coming Home, Learning, and Why Your School Should Accept Sarah Emily Rogers-Tanner

First of all, I am SO EXCITED to be coming home in August!!! Unfortunately I'll only be in MN for 6 days so if I don't end up seeing you please know that I certainly wish I could see everyone! This trip is going to be quite the whirlwind but also a lot of fun! I can't wait!!!
That being said I have a little piece of writing here that's about how much I love Ujitawara (despite it's far-away-ness)

I love this town. It can get a bit claustrophobic at times but I really like seeing my students all around town. There are kids I play taiko with on Fridays that I also teach at the middle school. I get to see my preschool students in the grocery store (so cute!) And the longer I stay here the more I realize that I'm in some way connected to almost everyone in this town. Just tonight I was riding my bike past what looked like a huge event. There were cars parked on every street (granted, there's not that much 'street' in this town) but there were people lined out the door of this big traditional building (though not a temple). I happened to run into someone who I had met before at the town office and she told me that it was a funeral for the mother of one of the nursery school teachers whose big, welcoming smile always makes me feel at home when I arrive to work in the morning. It was so interesting. If I hadn't talked with that woman it would have been just another event that I passed thinking, "wow," but all of a sudden I was (however minimally) peripherally involved. I've been thinking a lot lately about how many students and adults I know in this town. I've even wondered if the old men who I see on my morning walks have grandchildren that I teach in elementary or middle school. Whenever I hear the ambulance going through town I wonder if it's someone I know or a student's grandparent. Living here, and also experiencing the way teachers work in Japan (it's insanely involved- don't get me started) has really added to and expanded my ideas about community and education... and that's why you should admit me to your graduate program (haha, grad school personal statement on the brain...)

Anyway, I enjoy every day!!! (That's some Japan-glish for you)

Seriously it's great here... but I can't wait to be home ;)

Turning Japanese, I Really Think So

Have I been in Japan too long? Here are a few things that I would never do in Minnesota:

1. I bought a parasol. I know, it seems so... Puff Daddy? Michael Jackson? 19th century? but the fact of the matter is that Kyoto summers are HOT and a parasol actually keeps you comparatively cool. Also, it's light blue with a white, lacy pattern around the edges... who could resist?

2. I've had fish and rice for breakfast twice this week- and yes, I cooked it myself. Turns out fish is really easy to make!

3. I bought a sweater with sparkly bows for pockets...

But don't worry guys, I still hate nato (fermented bean paste) so I'm not a total goner. Also, I don't actually enjoy teaching English, I would much rather be an actual elementary school teacher so... I'm coming home.

Speaking of which, I'll be home in late August! If you're around, look me up!!!