The Last Supper
Trip Start
Jun 17, 2005
1
21
Trip End
May 15, 2006
San Jose,
California,
United States
Friday, June 17, 2005
As some of you may already know, I have decided to take a one-year leave from my current teaching job in San Jose, California to teach English in China. Last summer I had a unique opportunity to visit the many cities of China. Well, I guess that "traveling bug" I acquired last summer turned out to be a chronic condition, as it tends to resurface during the long hot summers.
Just last Friday I was at HP Pavilion (also known as the Shark Tank to all the local ice hockey fans in San Jose) to attend my students' graduation. And as the familiar graduation theme of "Pomp and Circumstances" rang from the loudspeakers, hundreds of friends and family cheered with elation to celebrate their child's special day. And there I stood, in the waiting station that SJ Shark coordinators had literally dubbed the "vomitory," ready to make my entrance. The time had come for teary eyes and long goodbyes. And yes, I was one of them. No big surprise.
That day marked an end of a chapter in my life that has made a remarkable impression on me. Three years ago, those children walked into a classroom as new middle school students, anxious, wary and self-conscious. Three years ago, I walked into a classroom as a new teacher, anxious, wary, and self-conscious! And as those three years have gone by, I have watched this great group of kids blossom into know-it-all teenagers constantly reminding me that they are taller than me now. And as they embark on their journey into high school I bid them farewell, as I too am ready to embark on my own journey.
The Last Supper
After the graduation ceremony ended, some of my fellow colleagues and I decided to spend our last day of the school year together at The Tied House in downtown San Jose. And as we all sat down in one long row of connecting tables the scene seemed strangely familiar as it occurred to me that this was to be my "Last Supper" at the place I have called home for nearly twenty years now. Please understand that by no means do I intend to compare myself to Jesus Christ or disrespect the Christian faith, as for those who know me well enough know that I am no saint. Jesus left this earth with complete faith knowing that his actions would lead a mass of followers to eternal peace. I, on the other hand, am leaving the comforts of my life with no followers or grand quest for eternal peace. Nor am I "trying to find myself." However, there are two reasons why I have decided to leave: 1) to learn Chinese and 2) to immerse myself in the culture and customs that I grew up with as a child.
But before I go to China I will be traveling around Southeast Asia. My itinerary GOES-A-LITTLE-SOMETHING-LIKE-THIS:
Three days in Malaysia
One week in Thailand
Eight days in Vietnam
Four days in Cambodia
Three days in Shanghai
One and a half months in Dalian teaching English during the summer
Ten months in Chengdu teaching English during the year
Return to San Jose. Watch a movie.
Well, I hope you will enjoy reading my travelogues and share your thoughts with me. First stop, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
One Love,
Paul
