Student Quotes #2

I thought it might be time for a few laughs and smiles. I have to admit that is probably one of the best aspects of my job. We tend to laugh and smile quite a lot in Spanish class.  Below are the wonderful quotes from students that I have happened to remember to write down.  I love that I got this idea from my friend, Ann.

I would have to say that I have had some very philosophical conversations happening in my classroom this year.  I always stay out of them and love to see how they pan out.  Another interesteing theme this year has been my singleness.  Why is Ms. Houston not married?  Will she ever get married?  Why does she not have a man? 

Enjoy!  I sure loved rereading them...

“He is a big creator?” --2nd grader

“Look at my Spanish earrings!” --1st grader on her first day with huge clip on hoop earrings

“Ms. Houston, why does your breath smell minty?”

“I lost my teacher. People were chitter chatting. We lost our computer teacher too. I am going to tell my mom to change me, but don’t worry because I am still going to come to Spanish. Too many people made me get in trouble today.” --1st grader

“Oh Oscar, please chase me!” --1st grader on the playground

“There is a cheetah out here!” --1st grader on the playground

“Did you see that blue guy?” --1st grader on the playground

“It smells like bleu cheese in there. You know because bleu cheese is stinky and there is a stinky smell in there.” --1st grader about my classroom

“Today it smells like macaroni bleu cheese.” --same 1st grader as above

“He accidentally kissed me.” --1st grader (because accidental kisses happen?)

“I have to keep it on for 4.6 weeks.” --1st grader after asking him how long he had to keep his sling on for his collar bone

“I usually like to slide down there, but not today because of my dress. Everyone will see my panties if I do it.” --1st grader on the playground

After commenting what a good memory she had, “I know. I even remember that my grandma was sick the day I was born. She had to wear a mask so that she could come see me.” --1st grader (I remember the day I was born too.  My memory is great!)

“Ms. Houston you aren’t married?!?!  But you will be someday, right?!?!” --3rd grader

5th grade conversation:
Student 1: “Ms. Houston what do you want to be when you grow up?”
Student 2: “She is grown up. She is a teacher.”
Student 1: “Are you more than 22 Ms. Houston?”
Ms. Houston: “Si, en diciembre cumplo 28.”
Student 1: “Wow you don’t look that old.”
Ms. Houston: “You just made my day. Good answer!  But, when I grow up I want to be a mom.”
Student 2: “Are you married Ms. Houston?”
Ms. Houston: “No.”
Student 2: “You aren’t married?!?!  Do you have a boyfriend?”
Ms. Houston: “No.”
Student 2: “So how do you think you are ever going to be a mom if you don’t even have a boyfriend?”
Ms. Houston: “I can have hopes can’t I?  I can dream, right?”
Student 2: “Yea, I guess so.”

Conversation with a 1st grade student:
1st grader: “These are not my real clothes.  These are not my real clothes!”
Ms. Houston: “What happened to your real clothes?”
1st grader: “I peed on them.”

2nd grade conversation:
Student 1: “Did you know that Michael Jackson was born brown?  He was not born white.  He first changed his face and then changed the rest of his body.”
Student 2: “He changed himself?  Why would anyone ever do that?  Why would you want to change yourself?  Why?  I will never want to change myself.”
Student 3: “He didn’t like how he looked.”
Student 1: “Do you know why he changed himself?  He wanted to get more money.  When he went to Germany people knew that he was not from Germany.
Student 3: “He was not from Germany.”
Student 1: “I know, but when he changed himself people thought he was from Germany so then he could sell more tickets and get more money.  He used to be brown and then changed to be white like my color.”
Student 2: “But who does that?  Why would you want to change yourself?  I just don’t understand why someone would do that!”
Student 3: “Do you know how they did it?  It was like he was getting shots in his skin.  That is why he died.  He wanted to change himself.”
Student 3: “Did you know that some people are burned when they die?”
Student 1: “Yes, you can choose when you die to be buried in the ground or burned.”

“I always steal my dad’s beer. I gulp it right up!” --1st grader

“I always wear my mom’s skirts.” --1st grade boy

“I think I am going to die of a heart attack from eating too many spicy Cheetos!” --5th grader

“Ms. Houston you have so much gray hair and you aren’t even married, right?  You better hurry up with that before you run out of time.” --3rd grader  (thank you for the reminder)

1st grader: “Ms. Houston I am going to give you my bucket.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
1st grader: “You know, give you my bucket.”
Me: “Oh you mean fill my bucket. How are you going to do that?”
1st grader: “Like this.”
I then got a BIG warm hug around my waste.  We had read  Have You Filled a Bucket Today?:  A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids at the beginning of the school year.

Conversation on the track:
Student: “You’ve run 11 laps?!?!”
Me: “Yes, working on 12 now.”
Student: “How many are you going to do?”
Me: “20.”
Student: “I dare you to do 30…”
Me: “Maybe one of these days I will!” ;)

3rd grader 1: “A person who is really sarcastic is a sarcaster.”
3rd grader 2: “No, it’s a sarcastee.”
3rd grader 3: “No, it’s just a sarcastic person.”

“I love you!” --1st grader

1st grade conversation (there were so many of them involved in this conversation it was hard to keep track of who was saying what):
“Where did the animals come from?”
“God!”
“We came from monkeys.  Is it possible for us to change back into monkeys now?”
“Here is a question about history that I just don’t know.  Where did the animals come from if before there was nothing?  I mean they didn’t just appear out of nothing.”
“God!”
“Ask Ms. Houston, she knows.” (let’s keep Ms. Houston out of this one)
“But there is more than one god you know.  There are many gods and girl gods are called goddesses.”
“It all started with a big bang!”

2nd grader: “Ms. Houston where is your man?”
Me: “What do you mean ‘my man’?”
2nd grader: “You know, your man!”
Me: “I don’t have a man.”
Another 2nd grader: “Well you don’t have a wife do you?”

“My mom is an expert at spanking.  You don’t want to mess with my mom.” --5th grader

“Ms. Houston my heart hurts. But, don’t worry. It’s better now.” --1st grader

“Easy, peezy, lemon, squeezy.” --1st grader

Student 1: “Ms. Houston you look REALLY tired.”
Me: “Do I really look that bad?”
Student 1: “Yea, it’s in your eyes.”
Student 2: “Yea, you have really dark circles.”
Thank you so much.  You just made my day so much better. ;)

Student 1: “Justin Timberlake is like the worst person I ever met.”
Student 2: “Yea, he is so perverted.”
Student 1: “No, he is just so wrong.”

“You’re a nice teacher.” --1st grader

Me: “Como estas?”
Student: “Emocionado porque Soren let me use his glasses because I can’t see.”

Student 1: “Are you sure you don’t need the glasses to go to the bathroom?”
Student 2: “Yes, don’t worry. I will be fine.”
Student 1 (after a few moments with a great look or worry and sigh of exasperation): “I don’t think he will be okay without the glasses.  He is blinded.”

5th grader 1: “You get to drink beer in college.”
5th grader 2: “Yea and in Texas you can use guns.”

“I am freezing out here!”  (It was about 48 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) this past week in Doha.  We were cold in the desert!)

Qatar on 60 Minutes

When my friend Ann Durham first decided to move to Qatar six years ago, I had not even really heard of the place.  It was through her that I began to really learn about this small country in the Middle East.  Now, I call it my home.  Qatar has not had a lot of international significance until very recently with the fact that it won the bid for the 2022 World Cup and with the waves that Al Jazeera has been making through reporting the Arab Spring.  Most recently, the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani  has spoken out about the violence and uprisings in Syria.

It was quite interesting to watch this segment about Qatar that aired this week on 60 Minutes.  In my opinion, it was well done and quite accurate.  I think my favorite quote of the entire segment was at the end when the Bob Simon said to the emir, "It often seems as if the basis of your foreign policy is to be friends with everyone."  The emir responded with the question, "Don't you think this is a good policy for a small country?"
 
For those of who don't watch 60 Minutes or perhaps missed it Sunday night, here is the clip about the place that I now live and work:

Here is a link to the written segment that was on 60 Minutes:  Qatar: A tiny country asserts powerful influence
 
Here is the link to the 60 Minutes Overtime segment on the pronunciation of Qatar:  Qatar? Easy for you to say...

Christmas in Michigan

Even though we are well into the month of January, I cannot stop thinking about my first Christmas at home in Michigan in two years.  It was the first time in, I think, in three or even four years that my whole family was together.  It was well worth the very long journey that it takes to get there from my home in Doha.  It now seems like ages ago and a whirlwind of a visit, but thankfully I have many wonderful memories and pictures to help remind me of what a special time of year it can be when you are surrounded by those whom you love and love you in return.

I would have to say this has been one of the hardest transitions back from any break that I have ever had.  I did happen to cry my eyes out one Christmas in Honduras because I wanted to be home, but could not make the trip.  I would have to say that the person that is always the hardest to leave is my mom.  She is the person who keeps me strong.  She is my rock and my best friend and I told her that if she cried when I left I would not be going back anymore.  Of course that was just me trying to be tough and as I sit here typing this, there are many tears falling down my face.  This past week, I have questioned my decision to live overseas more than ever.  In the back of my mind, I know that I will continue to live overseas because I do truly love this life.  We could just say that I am a nomad.  Nevertheless, it is ever so hard to go back to what is comfortable and see how I am so far away from the lives of those I hold so dear to my heart.  Times just passes so quickly and sometimes I feel very left out.  I know that life is not a never ending vacation and that all of the people I saw over my break, just like me, had to go back to work and the routine of everyday life.  It is not realistic to think that if I happened to move back everyone would be able to be together all of the time.  I even know that I would tire of having to be around everyone all the time as solitude can be a dear friend of mine.  It would be a lie to say that I do not immensely enjoy being alone most of the time.  All the same, I seem to be in a lull that I am finding hard to break in this new year.  I do know that this too shall pass as long as I am patient with myself...

In the mean time, I have my wonderful students who remind me to take pleasure in the small moments of each day.  I also have my running, my solitude, my music, and my pictures to help keep me at peace and remind me of what is home...

Merry Christmas!

Visitors welcome...

I wished for a white Christmas...

It's a Wonderful Life...

My wish came true...

I do miss the outdoors when I am away.

Peace. 

The life of Gus the cat...

Christmas Eve 2011, everyone together.

My friends.

My brothers.

Santa and his elves left their footprints...

Gus is ready to open Santa's surprises...

Christmas morning 2011!

Sunrise.

Mari and I.  One of my best friends.

Trina, Mari, and I.  My two best friends.

Mom, Trina, Mari, and I.  All three of my best friends.

Go easy on the resolutions

Would you believe that the history of New Year's resolutions is rooted in a time period that is well over two millennia? This ancient practice is rooted in Babylonian times; the act of making resolutions every year has been practiced ever since.

So as we have now entered into this new year of 2012, my 2011 planner so graciously reminded me on December 31 to go easy on the resolutions...

I always do try to find a few things that I could improve upon or continue to work on for the new year.  Sometimes they are very simple things such as drinking more green tea to improve my health or finally learning to practice yoga. :)  On the other hand, some of my resolutions tend to be a bit more abstract we could say...

This year I have decided to continue to focus on my inner self and working more on that inner peace in order to be a better person and therefore, be better for others...

So here's to 2012:

• Continue to learn and do my best at practicing The Four Agreements.
• Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.
• Find peace with uncertainty (taking this from a dear friend from last year).
• Take pleasure in the small moments in each day...I think those are what matter the most.
• Kiss/hug someone you love everyday.
• Be kind to yourself.
• Remember to breathe.

"Happiness is an inside job."

Amalia...

Happy 2012!  Wishing you all the best and that you may all find peace within for this new year...

Amalia...

As I look back and reflect on 2011, I think one of the most touching and memorable experiences for me was my trip to Romania.  I participated in a Habitat for Humanity Romania trip and it was my first time working with this organization.  I would not say that I am the most articulate person nor am I very good at voicing my opinion.  Sometimes, I just find that some experiences are very hard to put into words  However, I have had a lot of time to think about this experience and therefore, will try my best to put some of it into my awkward words...

I am always a bit hesitant to work with different development organizations because just like everything else in life, there are always strengths/weaknesses and advantages/disadvantages (especially in dealing with big organizations).  I learned this lesson very well while working as a Peace Corps Volunteer for two years in Honduras.  I have no regrets about joining the Peace Corps and found it to be a very life changing journey.  I know there are many people in this world that want to help others and believe in living by the golden rule.  However, we must sometimes be quite careful in choosing the people and/or organizations that we work with as I think some are out for personal glorification and bragging rights or they even have a higher political and/or religious agenda.  With large organizations there are always certain hoops that one must jump through and bureaucracy to deal with.  Now, I am not saying that volunteering and development work cannot be gratifying.  It is always important to remember that those we are trying to help can teach us so much and that perhaps in the end, we are the ones that walk away more changed and touched.

With that said, I was really pleased with Habitat for Humanity.  I was really anxious to see how my time of only a week fit into the whole scheme of sustainable development.  How was my work and time of only one week going to create a sustainable project?  With volunteer work, Habitat for Humanity is able to keep the costs of their houses down and therefore, they are able to serve more people.  Furthermore, what could be more sustainable or long lasting than a house?  The families that the houses are being built for are also working along side the volunteers.  This creates a great opportunity to meet and communicate with people from different cultures.  I met so many wonderful people from the Roma village of Baltesti.  One of my most memorable experiences was laughing, playing, singing, and working with Amalia (who I think it goes without saying stole a huge piece of my heart) and the other children in Baltesti!  I think that it is important to remember that "a decent home opens the door to improved health, better performance in school, greater economic opportunities and increased community cohesion" in a world where it can be such a challenge to meet basic needs for many people.

I have almost forgotten to mention the amazing and fantastic employees of Habitat for Humanity Romania that I met.  From the volunteer coordinator to the constructions managers and workers on the build sites,  I was able to work with some of the most compassionate, affectionate, and patient people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Moreover, I was able to get to know a fantastic group of people from Doha (many of whom work at my school) that I would probably have never gotten to know if I had not gone on this trip.  I think that when hearts and minds come together for such a journey, you get to know people on a personal and intimate level that is otherwise hard to reach.

What am I really trying to say here?  I had really missed doing volunteer work since my Peace Corps days and I thought going on this trip would be a great way to get back into it.  I think it is important to remember that we cannot always "get" in life, but we must "give" as well.  These two words were always posted in my dad's classroom and they are two words that I now use in my own classroom.  We cannot fight all the battles in life, but I think it is important to find our niche and "give" in a way that is meaningful to us.  Find what works for you, but also be wary of those underlying agendas if there are any...

I hope I have not spun my wheels or walked around in circles.  Perhaps, this is why I tend to keep most of my opinions and thoughts to myself...

Here are a few of the highlights through pictures from an amazing week in a beautiful country:

Jeanne and Kathy.

Brita and Katie.

Ryan and Becka chatting it up!

Teamwork! 

Amalia and her sister...

Brita hard at work.

Our fearless leader, Cosmin.

Dusk in Baltesti.

A piece of fall in Romania.

Johanna, Becka, Katie, Brita, Ryan, and Jeanne.

Bran, Romania.

Enjoying the sun in "Dracula's" Castle.

Amalia.

Sad Amalia...

One of my favorite photos of the entire trip.

Time to lay some cement.

Jeanne hard at work.

Ryan's concert in Baltesti.

Fall in Romania.

10 houses in 10 days...the Big Build from the summer.

Brita and Paul.

Sunset in Baltesti.

Photo shoot time...

Jeanne and Kathy on our last day.

Baltesti from above.

Singing and clapping with Amalia.

Brita, Johanna, and Reem!

Many hands make for light work...

Here are two articles that were in the newspapers in Doha:

• Volunteers help rebuild homes in Roma community
• An amazing experience for Doha team in Romania

My dear friend Ryan made a great video of our week in Romania as well: