Busy and exciting!!

Thursday was the last educational day of high school. I completed my Chemistry final with far less effort than I should have and proceeded to sit around and wonder how I was supposed to be feeling about school ending. Mia arrived in the evening. Friday was Senior Day, so we got free food and then took a walk around the elementary, middle, and high schools while all sorts of students and teachers stood around and clapped. I finally was able to cry in the upper hallway of the high school while hugging and thanking my favorites of teachers. It was refreshing.

Today was gradumacation. BenT and I took the train to school from Meguro (after some initial confusion and disorganization of meeting place, remeeting place, etc.) and ran into RayK along the way. We ended up arriving late, but fortunately, the busses didn't leave on time. At the graduation venue, we ran through an abridged ceremony once, were given time for lunch and then got dressed in our formal clothings, caps and gowns. The ceremony went incredibly well. I cried nonstop during through Mrs. Gotterson and BrendanF's speeches and the choir and string performances. I felt fantastic afterward. After the ceremony, everyone was hugging and crying backstage and I realized that I was incredibly lucky to become part of this close-knit class. There are a lot of fantastic people in the ASIJ class of '07.

After the ceremony, EricaR and JuliaS gave me sunflowers and we took a bus to school, where there was an incredibly disorganized reception. My parents met a couple of my teachers and we ate and took pictures. I greeted people, said a few goodbyes and left on the last bus downtown.

Now that high school is over, I'm ready for the next step in life. PARTAAAAY!!!!!