"Why does your eye twitch?" And other questions...

As I am going through my day working with these kids who I coming to adore if for no other reason than I have Stockholm Syndrome I am asked questions. Lots of questions. Many mucho questions. All the time.  And I was thinking the other day they sort of tell their own little stories so here are some great questions and some that break my heart:

1. Did you know your eye is twitching? 
2. Why do you change your clothes so much?
3. How many kids will you have?
4. Will you get married this year?
5. When are you leaving? 
6. No, seriously, when? 
7. Like, are you staying the year?
8. That other teacher didn't stay the year, did you know that?
9. What is college?
10. Can my dog come to class with me? (This one was right after they found out I am sensitive to dog dander.)
11. I have to turn my work in to get a grade?
12. May I join cheerleading? (Bravest question- it came from a kind young man.)
13. Wait, you mean I have to give a speech if I join speech team?
14. Why are boys so mean? 
15. Why won't girls talk to me?
16. Why should I do my work?
17. Why can't I do my work?
18. What does "gorgeous" mean? How do you pronounce Dolce and Gabbana? Why is her hair that way? Ewwwww why does she have a fake nose? (I might be bribing math work in return for edited teen vogue.)
19. Can I go to the office, I think I have strep throat? (One inch away from my face.)
20. Did you know it feels really good to go number 2?
21. Why don't you like to fart?
22. May I use the restroom? 
23. Why can't I sit through gym?
24. What does the phrase "9/11" make you cry? -Because you don't know what it is and how it affects your lives. Especially I cry because so many want to be in the army/air force and you do not understand why the fight is taking place.
25. May I stay after school to do work even though I don't have detention today?
26. Powers? Powers? Powers? POWERS- why aren't you answering to your name? -Because my name is Ms. Diamond.
27. Why do you make us write about stuff that will never happen? 
28. Who cares what I want to be when I get older?
29. Why are you still here?
30. Why are you so loud?

I realized today as I sat down and prayed I truly love the kids. I am still struggling, but that is real and true to life and the struggle makes the success more sweet. Plus, I have selective oppositional defiance disorder and the fact they keep asking when I leave makes me want to stay all the more.

Heather

Why isn't the plural of moose meese and other quandries...

As some of you may know I have had an intense bout of ennui and culture shock this last week and a half. I am getting better, but I still am struggling with many aspects of the new life. This is to be expected so I have decided to just ride it out and suck it up. Some vignettes you may enjoy:

1. Children here are incredibly social at the younger ages and like to come visit. In order to avoid confrontation with a kindergartner I have taken to hiding on the floor when I really just want to be alone. This has made me re-evaluate my life choices as I dig my nose into our carpet.
2. At 28 I am considered quite on the the shelf and a little looney for not having a plethora of kids. I find this hilarious as students will still look at me and say "Are you sure you don't have ANY kids?" to which I reply "None that I know of." The humor is completely lost on them and several students are trying to figure out how I could have kids and not know it.
3. Having a student reply "Well, duh" when I say "If you are spitting I am going to assume you are chewing."
4. I sometimes forget that my colloquialisms do not work up here and when I tell students that the F word is off limits they immediately wonder what is wrong with saying the number five.
5. I got stopped on a walk yesterday and asked if I was the new teacher. I told them I was and I taught seventh grade. He smiled and walked away. As he was walking I heard him say "They are getting older and older."

Pictures to come, still sort of settling in but excited to share, Heather