Today, we start with pictures of two shelves. Each teacher in the English Department gets a shelf, and these are pictures of shelves belonging to two wonderful teachers, with whom I work with. It’s just to show you that you can be a complete mess and a neat freak to be a great educator. These shelves are right next to each other, and the two teachers are great friends. I just thought it was worth a chuckle.

I have to retract something from my last entry. The cheese comment was written incorrectly. It’s actually “Estas como queso” and not eres. In addition, you can also say “Estas como jamon,” (you are like ham) and mean the same thing. I swear, cheese and ham. Cures all. I was watching a television program called Aida (My new favorite!) and this man tricked a lady over some issue with money. As an apology, he brought jam, and then all was well. VIVA JAMON!

Speaking of the cheese comment, a couple of days ago, I tutored one of my students at his house, along with his (ADORABLE) little sister. This kid was the guy who made the queso comment, you know, too-cool-for-school type, but smart. And sometimes a smartass. I sat down with him at his desk, and started looking at some of the worksheets and… low and behold… the kid was nervous!! He was stuttering and was really quiet, not really looking at me unless I was speaking to him; it was hilarious! He was acting as if he was 5 years younger (he’s 13) and was completely endearing. We worked together for about an hour and a half and he slowly started warming up to me, but the smartass part of him never came out. He was sweet and obedient the entire time, and when his mother came in to check on us, he was just as sweet to her. THEN, next day in class, it was back to normal, just as I thought. When I would tell him to SHUT UP, he (along with his friends) would say things along the line of, “We were practicing English teacher! Bery bery good? Yes? Credit? (meaning extra credit?)”. Back to normal. Where did that sweet kid go??

I found that to be the case with most of the students. When you catch them by themselves, they are sweet as pie, but when they are with everyone, they turn into part of this… mob. Most of my students are good kids, so I don’t have a huge problem with them. But the difference is hilarious.

I’m having dinner with the English teachers today. I love working with them. Good food, and good company. That is what life is all about!

P.S. I LOOOOOVE saying ‘my students’ or ‘my kids’. I think it’s the maternal part of me, or something like that.