Please know that I mean no harm in sharing these stories and that I do not intend to offend anyone. A person's name is their identity, and I respect that. Now...
Day 1 of teaching is officially over. After a few minor mishaps, I can leave campus today feeling like I made the students laugh... more so at me than with me, but what's the difference at this point?
I arrived this morning to a printer with less ink than a ball point pen. So after hand writing half of the handouts that I used today I hurried over the photocopy center with 20 minutes to spare. I watched as the man in charge made my bunches. My lack of language wouldn't allow me to ask that he make double-sided copies... a whole piece of paper for only 3 questions? Grumble. After completion he looks at me and says, "You pay". Whaaaaaaaaat? I have to pay for my photocopies? No one told me that! Off I went, in full sprint mode to find my wallet. One minute before class begins, I rush into the room, all smiles and exuding excitement. "Good morning! How is everyone? Are we ready"? And as I had just arranged my papers in the order that I wanted, in walks a co-worker to tell me that I was in the wrong classroom... with the wrong students. Errrrr... well... Have a good day everyone. See you around, I guess. God! Really? REALLY?
Once I made it to the right room, and made sure 138 times that it was the right class, I was on my way. Today was really a "getting to know you" type of day, and I had all of my students interview one another and then introduce their partners to the class while I sat in the back and took diligent notes. I had learned that most Indonesians have a nickname which would make it much easier for me to remember. Thank goodness, especially with the girls. Question 2 on the interview handout was in regards to nicknames. So as I took my seat on top of a desk towards the back and began to listen, I learned that these are students just like those back in California. They like Lady Gaga and Eminem, enjoy hanging out with friends in their spare time, and they love pizza. So far so good. Then a young woman was standing next to her partner and said, "This is my friend Titis (pronounced ti-tees)". I glanced around the room, hoping that someone would understand why my face was red. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" As clear as day she repeated, "Ti-teeeees". Oh no... OH NO! I swallowed back my giggles and went on as though nothing had happened. And then... another pair stands up and the young woman says, "Hello, this is my friend Chichi (pronounced Chee-chee)". Oh no. OH NO! Do...not...giggle, Noreen! Once I allowed myself to breath again I had only two more pairs to get through. The next was easy, and I even spelled their names correctly withe the first try. When the last pair stood to present one another I assumed smooth sailing from here on out. "I'd like to introduce my friend Seksi (pronounced sexy)". Oh, come on! You've got to be kidding me (insert a small and brief giggle)! I couldn't mask the smile much longer and went with it, which then led to a class discussion on adjectives used to describe very attractive people. What can you do?
The last question of my day came from an eager student sitting in the front of my writing class. "Miss, what are your clothing rules"? "Just wear some", I responded.
Day 1 of teaching is officially over. After a few minor mishaps, I can leave campus today feeling like I made the students laugh... more so at me than with me, but what's the difference at this point?
I arrived this morning to a printer with less ink than a ball point pen. So after hand writing half of the handouts that I used today I hurried over the photocopy center with 20 minutes to spare. I watched as the man in charge made my bunches. My lack of language wouldn't allow me to ask that he make double-sided copies... a whole piece of paper for only 3 questions? Grumble. After completion he looks at me and says, "You pay". Whaaaaaaaaat? I have to pay for my photocopies? No one told me that! Off I went, in full sprint mode to find my wallet. One minute before class begins, I rush into the room, all smiles and exuding excitement. "Good morning! How is everyone? Are we ready"? And as I had just arranged my papers in the order that I wanted, in walks a co-worker to tell me that I was in the wrong classroom... with the wrong students. Errrrr... well... Have a good day everyone. See you around, I guess. God! Really? REALLY?
Once I made it to the right room, and made sure 138 times that it was the right class, I was on my way. Today was really a "getting to know you" type of day, and I had all of my students interview one another and then introduce their partners to the class while I sat in the back and took diligent notes. I had learned that most Indonesians have a nickname which would make it much easier for me to remember. Thank goodness, especially with the girls. Question 2 on the interview handout was in regards to nicknames. So as I took my seat on top of a desk towards the back and began to listen, I learned that these are students just like those back in California. They like Lady Gaga and Eminem, enjoy hanging out with friends in their spare time, and they love pizza. So far so good. Then a young woman was standing next to her partner and said, "This is my friend Titis (pronounced ti-tees)". I glanced around the room, hoping that someone would understand why my face was red. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" As clear as day she repeated, "Ti-teeeees". Oh no... OH NO! I swallowed back my giggles and went on as though nothing had happened. And then... another pair stands up and the young woman says, "Hello, this is my friend Chichi (pronounced Chee-chee)". Oh no. OH NO! Do...not...giggle, Noreen! Once I allowed myself to breath again I had only two more pairs to get through. The next was easy, and I even spelled their names correctly withe the first try. When the last pair stood to present one another I assumed smooth sailing from here on out. "I'd like to introduce my friend Seksi (pronounced sexy)". Oh, come on! You've got to be kidding me (insert a small and brief giggle)! I couldn't mask the smile much longer and went with it, which then led to a class discussion on adjectives used to describe very attractive people. What can you do?
The last question of my day came from an eager student sitting in the front of my writing class. "Miss, what are your clothing rules"? "Just wear some", I responded.
I love that you can take all of this and just laugh. It seems like you have an eager class with proper interests such as Eminem and Pizza. Keep the blogs coming!!
ReplyDeleteHA! If there was ever anyone who needed a comical first day of school like that, you're it! Think of all the laughing you're doing...it is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI had a chairman arrive, and I was at first very confused at the young man standing in front of me, because I was told the chairman was "Sandra". Ooops! I too have a Titee in my class! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like everything went great yesterday. Me too! Today was good happy times.
And I talked to Dian. :)
Hahaha...great post!
ReplyDeleteI can visualize the whole thing :-) Great Job Reno, the kids are lucky to have you!
ReplyDelete