Cake and more cake

This guy turned 19 today! And he found out he made the dean's list at U of I for the last semester. A good day for B.

Mayu's neighborhood guy friends made a matcha-frosted cake for her today. It says, until we meet again. So cute and a nice surprise!

From sensei:

It is Friday, June 22 and it is our last day of school!! It is bittersweet. Students are already saying that they don't want to leave here. They are very loved by the host family, the school and the community. They have represented America, Oak Park community and OPRFHS very well. They have always been polite and kind, curious and adventurous, and lovable. Many teachers have stopped by Deaton Sensei and I to thank us for bringing our students and how our students have been a great influence on their students. It truly has been a joy to watch all of the students blossom here in Japan. They have been through sufferings, but they are definitely better and stronger people. ... At the end of the day, students said the final goodbye to their homeroom class, where they hung out, prepared for the festival together, ate lunches and took classes. Some of the students were tearful. But they all learned that we can understand each other and become friends no matter where we come from. Students learned a lot about Japan of course but more so, they learned a lot about their own country, culture and who they are and where they come from. They are more aware of their foundation and that is priceless.

Tomorrow is the last family day and we will have a goodbye party in the afternoon, where students will perform the play and the song again. They will also each give a speech to their family. After that we leave on Sunday to Tokyo! ... And THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING YOUR CHILD COME ON THIS TRIP!!!!!!!! They have changed our lives for the better as we witnessed their lives being changed by this experience. It has been amazing and we will all treasure the memories that we have made here for life.

And some pictures she sent:

The drawing the home ec teacher was talking about the other day.

Visiting an elementary school.

Lunchtime.

A (some of the) group photo.

L in her gym uniform jacket.