Day 99: Under the Mushroom

One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that we met a new friend! Her name is Harriet, and she is one fine gal. We gave our friend this name after we got to know her a little bit better, and because she didn't have an English name and we found this one rather fitting. Now, Harriet isn't your average girl. She is long and slender and loves to dance in the wind. She is the only one among the others who isn't too shy to speak to us. Yet, since meeting her yesterday, sweet Marine said we did in fact scare her, and she is being shy like the others and hiding from us now. We were very disappointed, because all of us in the group wanted to steal Harriet and either take her home with us, or let her dance freely in the wind, like she loved to do. Also, when Harriet gets angry, Marine told us that she turns black. Now, I'm sure you want to know more about Harriet, so I will enlighten you. Harriet is actually Marine's prized and treasured arm hair, just one though, and it happens to be about three inches in length. Marine is completely hairless on her arms and legs, except for "Harry" it. When I was teaching ELE yesterday, I thought there was a stray hair of mine that landed on Marine's arm, so I went to politely take it off. As soon as I reached for it, Marine instantly pulled away and was very protective of her arm. She told us about this hair and that it started growing last year, and since then she has just kept it and let it grow. She told us she began to love it over time, and we just found that hysterical. So, we gave it a name and accepted "her" into our group with open arms. Hahaha Marine is crazy.

Neither the kindergarten or primary teachers had to teach today, because all of our students were performing for the school's children's day festival . Every class in Kaiyin was to perform a dance or some kind of skit, and our group of kindy teachers were lucky enough to be able to help the Chinese teachers get the kids ready for their performances! Jenna, Tyler, and I went into our classroom early this morning and found our students all glammed out in their glittery outfits and stage makeup. They looked so cute; I absolutely loved their energy and excitement to perform.

When we arrived at the stage where they were to be performing, Marine told me that my student Alex would be the host for the show. This little boy is such a smart, sweet, patient, and handsome little one. He is only six years old, yet, I can have basic conversations with him in English, it's incredible. He is also the one who took second place overall at the English competition we went to last week. Gosh, I could seriously go on forever about this boy. Anyways, as soon as he and his assisting host came out onto the stage, I lost it. Seeing him all dressed up and so professional just made me melt. I felt as if he were my own little boy and I was seeing his school play or something. He did so well, I was so proud of him. He spoke with such clarity and was so professional, yet his spunky personality was still very much there. Alex is such a charmer, I love him seriously so much.

After the wonderful dance performance our kids out on, Alex and the others exited the stage, and Alex came running towards me and jumped into my arms. It was seriously one of the best days I've ever had, these kids mean so much to me. I would go on further about the greatness of today, but I don't want to get emotional again. My kids are incredible and so talented. I love them with all my heart.