Graduation Ceremony

On March 1st, all across Japan, graduation ceremonies are being held.

At Seiryo, it was held in the gym where the entire school population was present (about 800 in total, with close to 300 of them graduating). There are also representatives from the prefecture, as well as many parents that attend the graduation ceremony. The ceremony is a complicated affair of standing and bowing at different times. However, the event passed off with immaculate precision. (I just followed the teachers around me. If they stand, I stand. If they don't, I don't..) Seeing all the students stand, bow and sit in perfect unison is quite a sight to see. It's like they're in the military..when they stand up, or sit back down, there is no fidgeting whatsover. I wish i had videotaped it..!

Once the 2 hour-long formal ceremony was over, there was a 10 minute break before the less formal part of the graduation ceremony was held. During this time, the students sang songs, cried, took pictures, etc. During their high school years, these students spend more time at school, with each other, than anywhere else. The bonds of friendship that are created amongst members of a same homeroom are very strong. It’s a very emotional time for them…!

In the morning, I was at Seiryo, and in the afternoon I headed over to Bunko's ceremony. Here are a few pictures



Seiryo has one of the strongest kendo teams in all of Japan. Mai is a top player at Seiryo!

Later on in the evening, there was the graduation enkai (party) for the teachers. I gave a couple of teachers a ride to the restaurant, and when we arrived, it was difficult to find parking. Eventually, we found a spot. However, it looked really tight and since I was driving a replacement car which much bigger than my car, I was relunctant to try and squeeze in. One of the teachers offered do it, and I gladly accepted his offer. He managed to back into the parking spot without too much trouble.

In driving school, people are taught to always back into parking spots. Everywhere you go, people always back into parkings. I, on the other hand, never back into spots. It's always easy to spot my car, cos it's the only that wasn't backed in.

After the party, we headed back to the car. I could not get the car out! The teacher I was with called another, who tried to get the car out. He also couldn't get it out.. In the end, there were 8 people around the car, all giving directions to the driver, trying to get the car out. It took a good 10 minutes of trying before we finally got it out.

I'll be happy to get my little car back!