Extensive public appearances

I am exactly 2 weeks from the end of my contract. Then Kiwi-boy and I are going to Malaysia for a few days (well Kiwi-boy will only be there for a few days...) I will be there for about 15 days. Then going to Vietnam with my Mom and to Bali with my friend A. I can hardly wait to get out of here. Before leaving, my friend N from LA decided to come out and visit. This is by no means an inconvience. In fact, I have been looking forward to seeing her for ages.,..I even took vacation time for the days that she is here. And those days that I requested off...were approved, no problem. However, now that I am only a few days from leaving, I have suddenly found myself being forced to make a slew of mandatory appearances. Some I don't mind (e.g. the farewell party hosted by the middle school) some I am cringing at the thought of attending (e.g. a scheduled audience with the town council and mayor) and some I really just don't want to be bothered with (e.g. hanging with the people who have taken a sudden interest in me now that I am leaving.)

Today, was one of those fabulous scheduled appearance days: I had to meet with the governor of my prefecture. Its actually the 2nd or maybe the 3rd meeting I have had with him, so whatever right? Well unlike all of the other times I saw him, this time I actually had to do a speech in Japanese. It was only 20 seconds long, but since it had to be in formal Japanese, I was a bit nervous....and saying "watashi wa lani des, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Arrigato goziamashita" (my name is lani nice to meet you. Thank you very much.) is not considered appropriate...bummer, as that was exactly what I had planned on saying. So I struggled thru the content of my formal speech...tried really hard to seem charismatic and gracious (which is difficult when you are stuttering words). Did my photo op (see attached pic) and was done in less then an hour. I spent the rest of the day seeking out individual gifts for all of the teachers who bought me gifts (japanese tradition...for every gift you recieve, you must give a gift in return for equal amount of money.)

Next week, I have between 8-10 appearances scheduled (and by those, I mean showing up at places where the media has been invited to take pictures and document that I actually attended said function, or met with said person.....)
It's all pretty wierd, but I wonder if I will miss this weird version of celebrity when I return to the normal world?