To say I have not kept up with what I've promised myself with this blog is a terrible understatement. I have never been so busy in my life. But that is not a bad thing. I feel like from October till now, my life has been a complete blur…filled with blessings of all sorts. I couldn't even begin to type them all or I'd be typing till who knows when. But, I guess I can start by just talking about this week alone. Something is better than nothing right?
This week has been very different from the other 27-something weeks I have been here. I have still been teaching P.E. but I have also become the 3rd and 4th grade aide where I am able to spend more time around them and see them in a different light other than the competition of games and the tears and cheers they bring. I don't think I have laughed ever than I havevthis week as well! The kids are very funny to say the very least. At the same time they can drive me crazy too! But I love them all
On Tuesday, one of the third graders (who seems to find some sort of solace and comfort in me) started walking in my direction as I was supervising the kids in afterschool care. I see him and I say "Corey! Where is your shoe and sock?!?! Corey was walking around with one bare foot and the other had a sock and shoe on. He replied in a very dramatic desperate tone, "Ms. Ari, I can't find my shoe! Can you help me find it?! Pleeeaaassseee?!" I said of course, and stood up and looked back to see his shoe in front of his class room door, a good 50 feet away. Corey and I went to go get his shoe. I helped him put it on and sent him on his way. As soon as Corey went away, a couple of 1st graders run up to me with a distraught look in their eyes. I asked them what was wrong and they replied "Ms. Ari, I'm thirsty!" I'm thinking to myself, what is the matter here? The water fountain is right there. They never ask me. They don't have to. I told them to go and get a drink. They said no. I asked why. They would not tell me. So I let them go across the campus to the other fountain. As soon as I got back, another group of 2nd graders came up to me asking me the same thing the 1st graders did. I asked them why they did not want to use the water fountain. This time I got a reply. They replied "Ms. Ari, did you not see Corey?!" I said, "No." They said, "Ms. Ari! Corey washed his foot in the water fountain! Now it's diiiiirrrrtttyyy!" I had to hold back my reaction (which was complete shock and humor). Only because I know how Corey is and his quirky ways always puzzle but amuse me, I did not display what I was thinking. I called Corey back, and sent the other kids on their way. I asked Corey, "Corey? Did you wash your foot in the water fountain?" He said, "Yes Ms. Ari, I did, and it felt vewy good." I told Corey "Corey, washing your feet in the water fountain where everyone drinks is not very clean is it?" He said, "I don't know." I said "Corey, well now you do. Next time you want to wash your foot, just come find Ms. Ari and I'll get the hose so you can wash your feet, ok?" And I gave him a big hug and sent him on his way. Another interesting incident from yesterday that I thought was cute. Kayli, one of the third graders approached me and said "Ms. Ari, I have something to tell you but you have to promise me you can't tell anyone." I said, "ok Kayli, I promise, but if it is something very, very important, I can't promise you that I won't tell Mrs. Zane (her teacher) because she might be able to help." She said, "ok" with a big smile and then tells me, "um…Ms. Ari, Kristi has eggs." I thought to myself, "Oh dear, we just got done with one uku (lice) outbreak (which lasted around 2 months), and it's back again." Kristy, Kayli, and Danielle are three girls that are the best of friends, but one minute they can be fighting and the next they're right back to each other again, head to head. Danielle was out last semester for 6 weeks because of ukus and Kristy and Kayli missed a few days themselves too. Anyways, they are always together. Kayli came to tell me that Kristi was on the verge of tears and worried that she'd be made fun of because she had them. I comforted her and I told her that I was not going to tell anyone except for Ms. Zane and she would take it from there. She also didn't want her mom to know either because she was looking forward to Pathfinders at night. I told her not to worry, but she had to promise me that she would tell her mom eventually that day. She was ok with that. This whole incident struck a thought (completely out of the random) of how all these kids are looking for someone to trust in. All it takes is someone who cares. Many of the kids here have divorced parents and/or step parents. I can't help but think of how lucky I am. It seems so rare nowadays, which scares me very much. There are kids that are dealing with attachment issues. Kids with disorders. Kids with various issues that I am trying my best to understand. I pray every day for them and their hearts and that God is able to fill the void that they may feel that they are missing. Today, Isaac, another third grader came in a little bit late to class. He brought in a box. Later I found out it as a baby bird that fell out of the tree and was rejected by its mother. Isaac's job was to feed it every two hours. The little bird depended on Isaac. Isaac later had missed feeding the bird by half an hour, but when he remembered, he looked like a frightened person who just found out life-or-death information. He jumped into action, ran to the sink, washed his hands, and sprinted to the baby bird to feed it. He took great care of it to make sure it would not get injured. I just loved watching this. Every day is such a blessing being here. I know I am here to help, but the individuals, from the littlest kindergartener to the principal have made this experience beyond impressive on my heart. God truly does care for those who love Him. I am loving my time here. Weekends are just the icing on the cake. But in reality, it is the task here that really makes this experience worthwhile. I love all these kids. Even when they may be driving me up the wall, it does not take much to realize they do not mean any harm. Some may not be very honest as I have found out. Some may not get their stories straight. Some may just be going through the motions but, all in all, as a teacher, I have come to realize that they are just another part of the human race and are learning about themselves just as much as I am on a day to day basis. I have no right whatsoever to judge or take out my emotions on them. I just hope these kids see God's love through not only my actions but through those they encounter. On another note, I've successfully learned to write a few songs on the uke, and have been able to join the bell choir! Grand fun. I just hope I can continue with it when I'm back home :O Anyways. I've written a book again. I hope to update soon. No promises though :P Love, Ari