Wrapping it all up

"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Ghandi

The Japanese Govt. has spent over $20,000 to afford me the experience of a life time. This investment is grounded in the hope that with understanding comes peace and a better relationship between our countries. We all know that relationships are tough in the best of circumstances, but to work on relationships with other countries knowing nothing about the heart of their people is useless.
My job as an educator and as a participant in this experience is to provide the bridge between our cultures, our schools, and our people. I am honored to have been chosen to do this for the country of Japan, and I will carry this country and its people with me always. After all, where else in the world do cars stop in the middle of streets and let walkers through by simple eye contact, or when people hear that you're a teacher, they bow in front of you, people on the streets and subways are willing to use their english at any time to help you when you are completely and totally lost, which happened pretty much daily. They don't only show random acts of kindness here, it's constant.
I look forward to talking to my school, students, and community about my trip. Meanwhile, I will be keeping this blog - although I won't post every day, come back and check - I'll be posting pictures and details of my follow -on plan that must be submitted by the end of April - complete. Lots of work to do - but it will be fun, too.