english conversation class end-of-the-year drinking party

last night i had a nomikai with my eikaiwa. it was held at toridake, and izakaya which is within a 2 minute walking distance to my apaato, allowing me to have all the atatakai sake i wanted. ironically enough, i had a dream last night that the cops pulled me over and gave me a breathalizer test and i was well over the (0%) legal limit.
anyroad,
the nomikai was lots of fun. i have been teaching the same students for two semesters now, as the community centre decided to keep the same people for both. this was a really good idea, as it allowed us to become very well acquainted, as i've been teaching the same 24 since march.
before the toast each student got up and thanked me. it was really touching. several even had elaborate presents for me! most notably was a pendant which came from y-san, as she had brought in a similar one last year for show and tell and i had remarked on how beautiful it was. it's a ball shaped pendant which is intricately designed silver, and when you open it there is a jingly silver ball inside. it's from bali, and it is supposed to make your wishes come true and offer good luck. as she gave it to me, she also read a note that she had worked on in english, about her grandmother having passed away 4 days ago, and that now she was going through the levels before becoming buddha. (7 days, seven times, brings you up through all the levels of the buddha's, and the 49 days together are kind of a mourning time for the family). by time she finished the letter, she, i, and a third student beside us all had tears running down our cheeks.
these are the times when i'm reminded of the kind hearts of japanese people and their constant eagerness to give.