This, this is why I love teaching.

So how was my first year teaching in Japan you ask? Interesting, exciting, challenging, I’d answer. But the truth lies not in my overall (mundane) assessment but more in the moments that flash like a slide show in my head as I answer the question…Here’s an idea of what I see: the student who spewed Japanese at me – loud enough to hear himself over his blaring earphones, who would stop only to hack and sneeze without covering his mouth and nose. Picture me nodding, muttering “Hai, hai.” while covering my mouth with my shirt; the student who liked to collect snot rags on the corner of his desk (he would put any of use allergy prone Givogue girls to shame); the female student who thought the best way to catch my attention would be to tap my bum or tug not so lightly at my shirt (nearest my bum I might add); the female student who would slowly reach up and fondle my earring while I stood beside her (do you have any idea how disconcerting this is when you're trying to teach?). These flashes never fail to amuse me…(just as they never failed to keep my job interesting and uh challenging). Not but really, my students were great, even those that exhibited bizarre behavior. I am very sad that I won’t be teaching them next year but I’m comforted by the fact that I’ll see them on campus next year. And of course, I welcome the new batch of students, each with their own distinct personalities and behaviors, that will wander into my Freshman English class next year. I can’t wait!