The Jew in Gunma, Part 2; or, You can't go home again

So I found out who my successor is in little old Gunma-machi, and who would have guessed - its a Jew! Some might attribute that to chance, but after my dreidel party in December, I know the truth - Minami Chugakko loves them some Yehudas. I mean, with Christmas you get some big fat Santa in red, some red and green decorations, some bigs socks and chocolate chip cookies....but people, this is the land of Pachinko - they want gambling! And dreidel is the deadliest gambling game of all...insert dangerous yet nasal laugh here.

In all seriousness, my successor is really everything I hoped he would be. I may be a crap ALT but I love these crazy teachers and students (although I have no idea what their names are) and this ugly little town and my wonderful Tomoko and the nice people at the electronic store across the street who give me bags of corn when I come to visit...and its nice to know that they will have a good teacher, a respectful neighbor, and, most wonderful of all, a Japanese speaker in their midst. So Aaron, mazel tov on being the coolest new ALT in the Gunma gang, and take care of my (our!) people!

On a side note...I went to Tomomi's house tonight and we spent a few hours planning Hiroshima and Kyoto (I'm going to Hiroshima by myself and meeting up with her in Kyoto). I was thinking to myself, what will life be like in Buffalo without Tomomi - she has been the light in my life all year, not just because of her support but because, damn, the girl is hysterical and intelligent and witty and caring and overall just an amazing friend no matter what her nationality. I will miss her more than I can possibly conceive of right now. Too bad that she won't agree to leave Yoshi and come and live with me and Gary (I told her I could fit her in Lily's carrying case, but unfortunately she didn't believe me). What will "home" be like without my crazy "baka nihonjin"?