As many of you know, I LOVE my job. I teach refugees English as a 2nd language. Well the past few months have been stressful because the city public school district took over our school, which meant I had no job unless I got them to hire me. So luckily I got hired, but due to seniority I am no longer able to stay at my same school. The good part is the hours, money, union benefits, etc...
I'm very sad to have had to say farewell to my current students. I have gotten to know about 100 students from the school over the last 3 years of teaching there and I hate to give them to others teachers. But again, on the bright side, I will still be teaching refugees and will get to meet new students! Plus, I am in the district so I will possibly be able to substitute at my old school and even transfer back to that site someday! ...So the good with the sad!
So this past week has been a week of parties and laughter and many tears as we said goodbye-for-now. All of us teachers will be heading in separate directions now so we went out to the brewery for one last hurrah...
Then, due to 4 hours in a brewery I ended up cracking my forehead into my car door and getting a wicked goose egg...which didn't work out real great when the next morning I was treated to dyed red rice on my forehead by the women of Nepal!
It was rough scrubbing hard rice and dye off of a painful lump! But it was worth it, cause these women are so generous and sweet! They brought me trays of their native foods, and more jewelry...
One even weaved this bag for me...
And a former student I had over a year ago made a special trip back to my classroom to give me a traditional Burmese shirt and skirt!
I was so touched! And I couldn't believe it fit, because Burmese women are so petite!
It makes me sad to have to leave them, but the city is a small community, and I will either see them, talk to them on the phone or somehow our paths will meet again.
I've learned that change is a good thing. We don't always choose the changes, but in the end they work out for the best somehow.
Now it's on to new students and new adventures..
