Yes Sir

So something pretty hilarious happened the other day in class. Of course it happened in class 5. If anything ridiculous happens in my classes, it is almost always in class 5. Remember, they are my naughty class. Despite their naughtiness, they all have fantastic senses of humor and so I enjoy them very much. 

Anyway, to the story. We were practicing singing the "Five little monkeys song." We did so, and then I told the class to do something. And in response, one of my little girls, Janine, yells out "YES SIR!!"

I about fell over laughing, and so did my co-teacher. She said, "I swear I never teach them that." We've had several good laughs about it since. 

So yeah, never thought I would hear anyone call me sir. Well, it happened. I tried to correct her and said, "No yes sir. Yes ma'am." It didn't work. So apparently to class 5, I am sir. At least I got them to salute me when they say "Yes sir." 

Several other hilarious things happened in class this week. [Disclaimer: anything the students said was in Chinese and I either figured it out via hand motions or had my co-teacher translate]

In Class 3, we played hot potato so they could practice their vocabulary for that lesson. The song I played for the game was Gangnam Style. The moment the song came on, all the boys in my class immediately jumped to their feet and started doing the Gangnam Style dance. It completely disrupted the game.

BUT IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My co-teacher, however, was not too pleased. She came up to me and said, "Maybe you should play another song." So no more Gagnam Style. Sad face. 

So remember Josh? Well the kid continues to completely steal my heart. He has taken it upon himself to make sure I know when I'm supposed to come to Class 7 to teach. He told me so five times yesterday that I must come to Class 7 in 3rd period. And then, right before the end of class, he comes up to me, running his mouth in Chinese (as always). When it was obvious I didn't understand, he rolled his eyes, pointed to a kid at the back of the class, and made a tearing motion/sound. I got that part. So he led me back to the other kid and showed me that the kid had accidentally ripped his name card. It was a very slight rip, so trying hard not to laugh, I assured them both that it was ok. So yeah, Josh has assumed the role of class informer to me. It cracked me up how he made the tearing motion/sound. Guess he figured the stupid foreign teacher would at least understand that. 

Oh and I wore my hair down for the first time, since the weather was so nice and it didn't immediately turn into an afro when I stepped outside. Well, the girls found it fascinating. They all wanted to touch and smell my hair. It was a little weird. 

In Class 4, Stan lost his tooth. I was completely unaware of this fact and was blissfully moving on with the lesson when three little boys shot up out of their seats and rushed over to Stan, all talking in very concerned voices. The next think I know I have lost the entire class and they are shouting and talking excitedly. Stan held up his tooth in triumph. One very sweet little girl offered him a tissue to stop the blood. Seeing the concern my kids expressed for their comrade brought tears to my eyes. 

I still get mobbed every time I step out of the classroom/office. At one point I was trying to get to class, and about 12 little girls surrounded me and had me backed up against the wall. They were all hugging me and kissing me, and I couldn't move. One of my co-teachers had to yell at them to get off me so I could go to class. They all started whining but listened and let go. 

Shanae!!

I love my kids, my babies. They are the joy of my life right now. I'm sure y'all are so tired of hearing me say that, but it's the truth. I LOVE MY KIDS! I want to take them all home with me. ALL 288 OF THEM!!!! Not sure where I'd put them, but I could figure something out. 

My Babies!

My kids are teaching me a very important thing: unconditional love. No matter what I do or say, they still want to hold my hand, want to touch me, want to talk to me, want me to talk to them. They love me, even when I discipline them.

Remember Eli? Well, he's been in trouble alot lately, so he's had to stand in front of class for 2 minutes almost every time I teach. Even though I discipline him, he still loves me and always says "Hi" to me and wants me to talk to him. 

And Katelyn-Katelyn is the really naughty girl in class 5 who always mocks me. Even though I discipline her alot, I try to always praise her when she does something good. I go out of my way to make sure she knows she did well. And she loves me. The other day she ran up to me and gave me a huge hug and wouldn't let go. It almost made me cry. 

It's amazing to me that these kids love me even though we can hardly communicate and they only see me twice a week. While we were off for Mid Autumn Festival, they had class one day. And my co-teachers told me the kids were very sad because I was not there. They kept asking "Where's Meesa Lindsay? Where's Meesa Lindsay?" One co-teacher showed up in Class 4 during the time when I normally teach. The kids all looked at her and said "Why are you here? This is FOREIGN English class! Where is Meesa Lindsay?!"

Eli, Emmy, and Josh

I am amazed at the love these children show me-the unconditional love. And I'm amazed at my love for them. Y'all know how close I am with my family. Even though I don't always treat them well, I love them with all my heart and I would gladly lay down my life for them. And that's how I feel about my kids. I didn't think I could love anyone as much as I love my family, but I was wrong. These kids have completely stolen my heart. 

Ashlin!!

And when I think of my love for my kids, I realize Father loves me even more. He did lay down His life for me, wretched, twisted person I am. It brings tears to my eyes to think about it. He LOVES me with a love so deep I can't even begin to comprehend it. It is my hope that the love I show to my students is a reflection of His love for them and me. He is the reason I have so much love and joy in my heart, and I hope my students  and my co-teachers can see that. 

Me and Pat in the office