Hey Everyone!

Stephen here! Patty, Erin, Sorin, and I have been working hard on making sure things transition smoothly over the next few weeks. I just got an email from Patty letting us know that the taste of freedom has been too long absent in her mouth and she now returns to taste of the sweet running water that is the U.S .! A truly amazing PA, Patty has done a lot to make this prefecture a really amazing one. She will be truly missed.

However, we still have Erin for the next few weeks! So if you need any help from the kencho or you would like to make a last confession of love before she goes you only have a few more weeks to do it.

Over the last few days I have been enjoying my schools annual festival. It is going to be my last one and it has been a truly amazing experience. I took over 700 pictures, performed guitar, and gave a couple speeches to wrap up my 2 years at the school. A really emotional time, but also has given me a greater appreciation for the journey that is the JET program.

On a side note, this weekend has been so hot. During my school festival over 6 students passed out from the heat! Please be careful and drink plenty of fluids!

Even though I am saying goodbye to what has become my family over the past 2 years I am happy to open the doors to a new life at the Kencho and working with some great people. Even better we have 25 new JETs coming to Nagano! It’s hard to be too sad knowing what is ahead!

The huge poster covering the front of the school and welcoming everyone to the 50th Suzuran School Festival

The festival is filled with expos, food, and students rocking out.

The end of the festival is celebrated with farewell speeches and lots of fireworks. These kanji read saitan. Sai as in festival and tan as in birth.