One joy of teaching in Colombia is experiencing students learning English. I would consider all of my students fluent in the sense that they understand nearly everything (maybe missing a few new words here and there) and can communicate anything they want (again, maybe missing a few words.) However, what I thoroughly enjoy is when they say something and don't realize what it means until after it comes out.
An example might help capture this:
On my desk I have a cat calendar. Yes, every day I am a little more cat-lady-like. Well, one of my kids was looking through the pictures and came to a picture of those fur-less rat-cats. Okay, they aren't rats but this breed of cat reminds me of a rat. Google "sphynx cat" and you'll get the picture. So my kiddo saw that picture and he excitedly told me that he has one of those cats. Really? Weird. What does it feel like when you pet it? Is it soft? This is when another kid reaches his hand to my forehead and pipes up, "It feels like when you pet your foreskin." Pause. Pause. Pause.
He then realized what he said and started dying laughing. I couldn't contain myself either. We just laughed and laughed. "No mease, I meant forehead!!!"
Yes. I'm still sitting here smiling thinking about his blunder. Haha. Forhead...
Friday, March 15, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Women's Day
If there is one thing I've learned about Colombians, it's that they love to celebrate holidays. I swear there is something every week. And it's not like how us United Statesians (the word "American" encompasses Colombians too...so I needed to clarify? Spanish has a word for it, so I made it English. Maybe I should just say estadounidenseTION...if you've followed my blogs, I hope that makes you smile...well, where was I? ha!) ....so it's not like us United Statesians celebrate. Colombians like to go all out. In school that means days devoted to activities, assemblies, snacks, clowns (yes...clowns), gift exchanges, etc. With that being said, today is "Women's Day": a day specifically devoted to women. My male students were complaining that there isn't a "Male's Day"...the response? The other 364 days of the year are devoted to them! Ha!
My Women's Day started out fantastic. Per usually, I went to my favorite little restaurant for my Friday morning breakfast. The 2 servers (Andres and Jorge) are basically my friends by now. We always talk and with Andres I even exchange the typical greeting of a kiss on the cheek. Well today Andres came specifically over to my and Emily's table, graciously greeted us, and wished us a wonderful women's day. Not only did he wish us a wonderful women's day, but it was in English. He was like a nervous school boy but it was the sweetest thing! A few moments later, Jorge arrived at our table with chocolates for Emily and I and wished us a happy Women's day. He's is a lot more shy than Andres, so it was just special. Emily and I were flattered. Happy Women's Day!
At school it just got better. The first student that saw me (he's not even my student), came up to me, wished me a happy women's day, kissed me on the cheek and then continued on. What a cutie! (he is a 7th grader). Throughout the morning students stopped in with the sole purpose of wishing me a happy women's day - just the little things make one feel special. Happy Women's Day!
One of the male teachers also brought all the female teachers breakfast. He made a lovely sign that said Happy Women's Day. Again, I just feel special being a woman. Happy Women's Day!
Later on today the Women will be given a special lunch and there will be a program for all women to attend. From 11:30-1:00 we will forego all of our responsibilities and relax. And what about the male students? Oh, no worries, the male teachers have that under control. How sweet. Happy Women's Day!
So Colombia has a million holidays. Today I'm appreciating it and soaking it in! Happy Women's Day!
My Women's Day started out fantastic. Per usually, I went to my favorite little restaurant for my Friday morning breakfast. The 2 servers (Andres and Jorge) are basically my friends by now. We always talk and with Andres I even exchange the typical greeting of a kiss on the cheek. Well today Andres came specifically over to my and Emily's table, graciously greeted us, and wished us a wonderful women's day. Not only did he wish us a wonderful women's day, but it was in English. He was like a nervous school boy but it was the sweetest thing! A few moments later, Jorge arrived at our table with chocolates for Emily and I and wished us a happy Women's day. He's is a lot more shy than Andres, so it was just special. Emily and I were flattered. Happy Women's Day!
At school it just got better. The first student that saw me (he's not even my student), came up to me, wished me a happy women's day, kissed me on the cheek and then continued on. What a cutie! (he is a 7th grader). Throughout the morning students stopped in with the sole purpose of wishing me a happy women's day - just the little things make one feel special. Happy Women's Day!
One of the male teachers also brought all the female teachers breakfast. He made a lovely sign that said Happy Women's Day. Again, I just feel special being a woman. Happy Women's Day!
Later on today the Women will be given a special lunch and there will be a program for all women to attend. From 11:30-1:00 we will forego all of our responsibilities and relax. And what about the male students? Oh, no worries, the male teachers have that under control. How sweet. Happy Women's Day!
So Colombia has a million holidays. Today I'm appreciating it and soaking it in! Happy Women's Day!
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