The Lost Flower

I started off today on a high note. I decided to drag my lazy arse out of bed at 8:30 instead of the usual 9:45 (ten minutes before I have to go to ELE). I took a shower and had a PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE from STARBUCKS. You heard me, people. It was delicious. Never mind the after effects that I suffered from not having coffee in a coon's age and drinking it on an empty stomach.

ELE was crazy. My usual teacher, Jade, wasn't there today and I had a crappy substitute. The kids were acting like monkeys and I was tired of yelling at them. My lesson this week is about clothing and I know it's boring to them. And it's no wonder since most half of China is wildly fond of public nudity. Tomorrow should be better since I'm teaching second grade. The computer doesn't work in that room so I just read them stories on this projector thing and they like it pretty well.

ILP classes were a huge success today. We made tissue paper flowers thanks to Elysia and her awesome suggestion. The kids really love crafts so it's my favorite rotation. When they're really interested in things it's super easy to keep them engaged. Whenever we make crafts, they have to set them on the window sill in the hallway so they don't drag them from class to class and get distracted by them. Certain things, it's just hard to  put names on. Tissue paper flowers certainly fit into this category.

At the end of the day, the kids gather their crafts from the window. Every now and then, someone takes the wrong one and it usually isn't a big deal. Today was different. Because today, someone took Colin's flower. You know, this Colin.

Perfection in child form.

The one who has my heart wrapped around his little fingers and I swear that angels sing whenever he opens his mouth. I love, love, love him. He is so sweet and when he giggles I want to bottle him up and stick him in my pocket. I adore this child.

I watched as he desperately searched for his flower, checking each and every window sill and classroom and his fellow classmates to see if someone had taken it. No flower to be found. I thought my heart was literally breaking in half when I watched his adorable little face crinkle up and tears start flowing down his face.

You know, Teacha Kayla is pretty awesome. So awesome that she took that little boy by the hand and led him back into my classroom where we made a brand new flower that was even better than the first one- he said so himself!

Trying to not be sad anymore!

My poor, sad baby :(

A happy picture of Miss Julius with her flower :)

Sometimes, I really am overwhelmed with their innocence and how it rubs off on me. The most important thing in the world to Colin was having that flower made of tissue paper and pipecleaner. And it was important to me, too, after seeing him so upset. Kids are amazing like that. I wish the rest of the world was that easy to fix.

After all was right in the world of Chinese second graders, Megan, Kate, my head teachers, and I went out to the night market. I'm happy to report that my obsession with dumplings has ended (I think). Naturally, something else had to take their place. There are these wraps that we've found and they are SO delicious.

My excitement was curbed when I learned that our usual guy isn't selling ice cream anymore because it's "cold" outside. SERIOUSLY???? It's frackin' 85 degrees every day!!! Lord forbid it get down to 65 when the sun goes down. What is wrong with these people?? Hmph, that's fine Mr. Lamepants, we fat Americans shall take our business elsewhere. We walked around the corner of the block and found a fruit store with ice cream inside. Oh, the joy.

On the way there, we passed these guys lighting paper lanterns and letting them go in the sky. It was so beautiful, and I had a "this is why I love China" moment. Until I saw mystery fluid bubbling up out of the sewer. Then I told Megan and Kate that I only love China because I don't have to stay here. If they held me captive, I'd probably just kill myself.