Yesterday I made a kid cry. Strange way to open such a grateful blog, but I will explain. I called her out, just like I do with every and any student who isn't paying attention. I point at them, stare at them, and force them to say the word or phrase that everyone else has been saying as part of the lesson. I do it at least once a class. That way, they all stay engaged and interested (at least I've convinced myself of that). Anyhoo, this kid is adorable. She's got the cutest face and she looks so sweet when she smiles. Yesterday she was doing a lot of frowning, pouting, and whining. And we know how I feel about whining (yeah yeah, I know I used to [still do] my fair share).
So not only was she being called out because she was whining, but also because she wasn't participating. She lost it. She was bawling.
My co-teacher let her go out of the classroom, where, as he recounted later, he explained to her that this is my MO: I do it with every kid. Furthermore, had she been in anyone else's class, she probably would have started crying there too. Basically, he took the blame from me (the teacher who made a kid cry) and put it on her.
At the end of class, I apologized to her personally and profusely. I'm not sure she fully understood what I said, but I trust she understood my body language and tone of voice. Here's hoping. When I got home there was a note on my door, telling me I had a package ready for pick up. I knew it was Laura's! I'd have My Man call tomorrow to leave it with Mr. Kim and I would have a gift when I got home!
This morning as I was getting ready for school, still feeling a bit sad about the fact that I made a kid cry, my phone rang. It was 7:35 am. What the hell? Mrs. Yim, my Korean Mother was outside at the elevator and she wondered if I would come out. Huh? I thought it must have something to do with the exam question she asked me to review, so I prepared myself to answer the question in question as I got dressed.
I opened my door to a complete surprise. Mrs. Yim had brought me some goodies. When I say "some", I mean "scads of". Why? I'm not sure. Could have been the fact that I've been complaining about Korean food for the last little while; saying that I'd LOVE a steak and a salad. Who knows...who cares. She is the nicest woman EVER.
These packages are NOT small: that bag would comfortably fit a basketball inside it. Since I had to get going, I only opened the bag and put the pink package in the fridge for later. Inside the bag was sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, cooked corn on the cob, hardboiled eggs in a bag with a note attached that read, "Boiled eggs", and some cans of tea. I could not WAIT to see what other gifts I would uncover.
So back at school today the previously-crying student came into the teacher's prep room to see me. She asked my co-teacher to help her translate that yesterday was not my fault and that she was feeling pretty sensitive, hence the outburst. And then she gave me this:
Is this the cutest thing we have seen ever in life? I think so. And a Korean Joe Louis? I think so. Let the feeding frenzy begin.
I had a great day today at school. My lesson plan is going really well and I'm actually enjoying teaching it over and over and over and over and over again. I walked home and was happy to see Mr. Kim at the booth when I got home. Though he played coy with me and refused to give me the package, he finally gave in when I told him I would bring my beautiful co-teacher by next week so he could give her the chocolates he bought for her. We'll have to see about that: she's 28 and he's 65...meaningful love? I'm not sure. I raced upstairs to see what Laura had sent and I remembered Mrs. Yim's neatly wrapped box. Today doesn't get any better...
I had a great day today at school. My lesson plan is going really well and I'm actually enjoying teaching it over and over and over and over and over again. I walked home and was happy to see Mr. Kim at the booth when I got home. Though he played coy with me and refused to give me the package, he finally gave in when I told him I would bring my beautiful co-teacher by next week so he could give her the chocolates he bought for her. We'll have to see about that: she's 28 and he's 65...meaningful love? I'm not sure. I raced upstairs to see what Laura had sent and I remembered Mrs. Yim's neatly wrapped box. Today doesn't get any better...
The box was FULL of groceries. Apples, peaches, grapes, persimmons, tomatoes, uncooked bulgogi (Korean beef marinated in soy sauce, garlic and vegetables), and this jam:
I just don't get it. Why is she so nice? Why today? But then, why question the motives of another person, right Dr. Zizzo? Right. So I've just finished my dinner: a huge salad with all the fixin's. I'm thrilled.
THEN, the piece de resistance: Laura's care package. I can tell from the label it is going to be good: it says, "Candy" on it. Yumma.
Isn't this just beautiful? What a treasure to open!
I heart Canadian candy...Sour Patch Kids, Sweet Tarts, Nerds (NERDS? What?!), and Swedish Berries. This ROCKS. Oh, and note the toothpaste: candy and toothpaste...hilarity.
The card? Hilarious. It's so us. And for the record, I don't know the answer ;) So now I have seven new books to keep my brain from atrophying. I have vowed to return them all once I'm done reading them, as they are from Laura's personal collection. Ohh...I'm so excited. But I think the BEST part of the care package was the Jo Malone makeup bag full of perfume. I didn't bring my Pomegranate Noir with me to Korea, so I've been missing the earthy smells. Now I have some! Thrilling. PLUS, I opened the Blue Agava Cacao tester and now my apartment smells like Laura. What a way to bring home here. I can't tell you how amazing it is to recollect by smell alone: thanks for thinking of that, Laur.
So there you have it: a day full of gifts and full of gratitude from your Canadian traveller. I'm off to yoga in a few minutes then to Happidus to socialize some. I'm so happy :)
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