The alarm went off at 5:45. Pam and I responded with a moan and a stretch. Light was already streaming out from under Sachan’s door…she had been up since 5:27am.
“Is is time to leave yet?”
“What? It’s barely time to leave bed, much less the house!”
So here she is, dressed in the clothes of her choosing; hair done in the manner of her choosing complete with orange colored rubber bandy hair thingies…of her choosing of course. Please note the big and currently lightweight backpack. Who knew going to school could be so easy and liberating?
That is right. Gone are the uniforms, the smocks, the large heavy industrial strength leather backpacks. Gone are the black hair thingies (can I point out to the Japanese school system administrators NOW that mandatory black thingies in blond hair stand out defeating the purpose of their rules?)
I accompanied Sachan to school this morning, only to have her point out at various locations and times that she already knows how to navigate her train transfer and the various twists and turns of her walk up the hill to her school. As we made the last turn she informed me that my presence was no longer necessary.
This didn’t stop me from going through the main gate with her anyway as there was a new parent coffee meeting in the courtyard. None of the Japanese schools ever gave me coffee. Of course they never had middle school students playing violins…I think this is because Japanese moms are too noisy. Seriously, when a bunch of moms are louder than there four year olds there is something seriously wrong!
So join me please in raising my coffee cup to quieter and happier school days. But for you sentemental folks out there (who says I don’t know my fourteen readers!) Here are some pics of Sachan’s last day of Japanese school back in June.
Thank you for sharing Samantha’s first day of school. Tony didn’t tell me to quit coming all the way to school with him till he was in the 7th grade. But I am so glad you went on and had coffee. Comparsion of new school picts to old:
Child and mother look much happier in new school picts and you are certainly right about Samantha looking lighter. I am so excited for all of you.
Love,
Cindy
I enjoyed the pics. It makes us sad when our children no longer need us to go with them or maybe it’s a female thing. Hope you enjoyed the coffee. Waiting to hear more about her new experince in her new school. I thik it will be good for all of you. She certainly worked hard this summer so i hope it all pays off. Have a good day.
HURRAY!!!! You get to pick your own wardrobe. Now your mom
and dad will have some great fun, taking you shopping at the Gap Kids, Abercrombie Kids, etc.
Brian, Pam, come live in our own personal circle of…outfitting your daughter…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (maniacal laughter as we convulse on the floor).
Cheers and welcome back to school
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHA
I felt so much Love and Pride seeing the picture of my greatgrandaughter ready for her new adventure-children always need their parents support though they do not verbalize it.Enjoyed the pictures and tale.My Love to All,Baw