Edumacation & Roo Steak

so i finally got to fulfill my "o'captain my captain" dream today (* dead poet's society reference, guideline for every starry eyed teacher wannabe).

i was sitting at the computer last night and wanted to put together a one-pager on things my students should keep in mind as they head into their second week of the homestay. i started it off with a gem i learned when i went skydiving. "the most important lesson i learned skydiving was to remember to take it all in. whether it be over 7 seconds or 2 weeks, your memories are based on what you actually take note of the experience." i then threw on a few basic questions i wanted the students to ask themselves to make sure they were actually conscious of this great learning experience. i then capped it off with the poem from thoreau.

I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately,
I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,
To put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die
Discover that I had not lived.

as romantic was the vision i had in my head as i typed it all out at 1am, the reality of its actual execution was a tad more pedestrian. i gathered the group between sessions, sat us down in the school kitchen (hard up on common areas as it was pouring outside) and passed it out (forcing them into the hands of the kids who were afraid they were the national anthem lyrics i had vowed they would sing at the school closing assembly. those would come later heh heh...). we only had a few minutes before the assembly was to start so i blurted something like "okayguysthetripisalmostover, readthislistofstuffandkeepitinmindsoyoucanmakethemostofyourtrip, k?"

* silence *

then, "i hate poetry!"

somehow, i didn't quite feel moved to jump onto the nearest desk and yell carpe diem.

~~~
so at the assembly we sang the australian, american, and --get this-- the chinese anthem. the lone Chinese student (from China) stood up in front of 200 ppl and led us through the anthem (she had written it out earlier). it was such an inspiring moment -- this was from the girl who felt lonely because of the language barrier. in loud, clear, and commanding English, she explained the anthem and had us sing it with her (or rather, murmur, since we didn't quite know the tune). we then cheered wildly afterward.

that's when i wanted to jump on a desk. not finding one, i just grabbed my half eaten hot dog and chomped away as the assembly continued.

~~~
ate some roo tonight. we went over to the neighboring town of pekina and ate at the only pub in town (well, it's really the only establishment of any sort except for the neighboring fire station). the roo is like a medium rare steak with a tinge of gamey lambness. not too shabby. had a citrus sauce on it. not too shabby - the kids even took a bite. we're making progress!
held my host brother (ryan, the 4 year old) in my lap as we played cards at the pub. that was when he decided to let one rip. i felt this weird fluttering on my leg and then the smell enveloped my head. criminy. almost dropped the kid i did.

good times, mates. good times!
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Quotable of the day:

Girl 1: My relatives were so mean. Another cousin visited their home and my aunt locked the fridge. Can you believe that?! He was so hungry!
Girl 2: But wait, wasn't there food in the fridge?
Girl 1: She didn't lock him in the fridge.
Girl 2: Ah.