The end is near

Well, the semester is finished. I've taught my last class at this university, for both the kids and the "adults," and I've rarely been happier to be done with a job. I've still got to go in and take care of some things, like cleaning my office and doing various administrative paperwork. But in all the teaching I've done, little of it has been as frustrating. Largely that's because when I taught summer school, which was much more frustrating while I was doing it, only lasted five or six weeks, and as such, caused far less stress overall. Anyway, big sigh, I'm done teaching these students, who, for the most part, would have to TRY to show less interest and effort than I've seen over the last two years.

But I can't really blame that for my two month hiatus from this blog. Partly to blame is my impending departure, which always makes time seem to pass by faster, and thus everything seems to be in that much more of a rush. I just caught up on some email, and had a hard time believing that two weeks, or four or six, had gone by since I'd received an email from a friend; honestly, it felt like only a week or so had passed.

Also to blame, perhaps more so, is my ever increasing interest in rock climbing. Weather permitting, I've been getting outdoors once or twice a week this last term, and it's been fantastic. I love going out into nature, being among the trees and rocks, the mountains and valleys, the rivers and sky. But just to go hiking, well, I'll admit I don't have the motivation. But to go climb some rocks, yeah, I'm usually excited to go do that.

In the last two months, I've gone to two new rock climbing places that stand out as worth mentioning. The first, well, it's its own prefecture, and once even its own country: Okinawa. Most people wouldn't think of this as a rock climbing destination, but it's got some fun stuff and some interesting places. I think the rock is volcanic, but not like what we have in Hawaii, as this is far sharper (and so more painful), and it's more of a goldish brown color. Nevertheless, some fun bouldering was to be had. But it was HOT. I thought Osaka was hot, but when we got there, I realized no, Okinawa is HOT. And HUMID.

We only climbed one day, though, and went to the aquarium the next. I thought the Osaka Aquarium was great, and it is, but this one was really amazing. I can only imagine how great it must be for people who are truly marine life fanatics. If you ever get down to Okinawa, don't miss this. (However, you can, in my opinion, easily skip the dolphin show, which was distinctly unimpressive.)

The second rock climbing place worth mentioning I just went to a few days ago: Mitarai, in Nara-ken. It's located right on the river (we climb river boulders), and the water of the river there is stunningly clear. It runs a bit cold, but you can swim in the river, and you get used to the temperature rather quickly, and after a few hours bouldering in the summer heat, it felt GREAT to jump in. In fact, I think I regressed to 13 years of age for an hour or so as I splashed around and swam through the currents. The climbing and the swimming were fun, and I hope the weather will stop dropping rain on us and let me go there a few more times. Such fun!

Now, I'm in the process of getting ready to end my time in Japan. This means cleaning out my office as well as my apartment. I've already given much of my office stuff away to a colleague, and much of my apartment stuff will go to my friend (the younger sister of my friend who got married last year). Still, there's a lot to pack, a lot to give away or throw away. I hope to be 90~95% done by Tuesday of this coming week...then I can just relax and climb.

I leave Japan on August 13th to begin my round the world trip. I'll be gone for two and a half months, and I'll go to Hawaii, Reno, Vancouver, Washington DC, Europe (counties to be decided, but certainly including Germany, France, and Italy), Thailand, and then Japan...though I'm contemplating adding a short stop in Korea. I'm very excited for it all. I'll end up back in Japan, where I'll do some final paperwork and then head back to the US...first to Hawaii, then to Reno, then to Denver, where I'll try to find an apartment and a job. So much to do!!! I'm looking forward to it.