“Announcements, Announcements, Announcements!
What a horrible death to die
What a horrible death to die
What a horrible death to be talked to death
What a horrible death to die.
We sold our sows.
We sold our sows.
We have no need
For your boar now.
Announcements, Announcements, Announcements!”
Aaron decided to spruce up flag time announcement with this jolly jingle. He put to an annoyingly catchy tune so we teachers sing it constantly during the day. The funniest thing about the song, though happened on Friday. “Ms Colleen,” Sammy asked….”Is whore another name for a pig?” WHAT? What in the world was this kid asking me!?!? “We don’t get Mr. Aaron’s song.” He then proceeded to sing the following to the same refrain above: “We sold ourselves, we sold ourselves, we have no need, for your whore now.” Oh man, I almost DIED laughing!!!! In fact, Im laughing while typing the story! SO funny! So, from now on I have a new line for that song! The best part was, they really had no idea what he was singing as “sow’s” and “boars” are not on top of the vocab list at GES!
This week was another full week of discipline action for grade 9 as well as more talks and meetings with them. Many detentions were given as well as the first suspension. Eegads this stuff is rough! They are still fighting us tooth and nail but we will win…cause its all about winning, I don’t care what your coach says!! =0) Its not really the actions that bug me so much, it’s the attitude that from which they come…once again, I am humbled by the work of all you parents!!
This week did bring some good conversations with some hurting kids. “Colleen, Im just sad.” Dyson sat cross-legged next to me on the large cupboard/shelf in the ISB conference room as we waiting for our Thursday night Young Life like thing to start. We talked about it for awhile and had no definite conclusion but she Im glad that she left thinking.
Sitting on the other side of me weighed in Carly who was so overwhelmed with all the work she has in school that her joyful face was longer than an aardvarks. These International School kids have more work and projects than I did in 2 years of university! Its insane! Plus they do sports and community service and whatever other club they can get into. So much pressure!
Finally there was Lukpad. She’s one of my students and I took her out for ice cream as a belated birthday present. We talked about her disruptive class and the differences between our school and Thai schools. It was an awakening for me both in how I teach as well as seeing how far fetched the Grade 9’s are in what we are asking them to do. It was also great to see her mind thinking and choosing her attitude correctly despite the pressure from her friends.
I’ve learned how much God cares about relationships and people, no matter where they are in life. I’ve learned that showing these kids love in spending time with them is a way of glorifying my Savior and thanking Him for the sacrifice He made to restore my fellowship and relationship with Yahweh. I see the way these kids act and know that I am guilty of the same thing in my relationship with my Father. I also know that He wants to know when Im sad and struggling. He wants to listen and help me find the answer. Listening is half the battle. Now I need to put it into practice.