August 27, 2008
-
birthday
i love passing the kitchen and talking to the cook. she knows just three things in English: “yes banana,” “no banana,” and “You’re welcome.” these are in responce to my two daily discussions: “Do you have any bananas? (for morning snack)” and “Lunch was delicious!”
i love how every class had to sing me “Happy Birthday” in English and in Portuguese. i love their hugs and my soda pop can lid present from Gabriel.
The youngest kid in 3rd grade–very shy to boot–brought me a present for my birthday. unfortunately, his mother wasn’t thinking and put the present in a plastic bag. on the plastic bag it said in nice big pink letters–”ropas intimas” (intimate clothing). poor guy. to make it worse, he asked me NOT to open it in front of everyone, because he was shy. So of course, it went around school that i was recieving intimate clothes from Luiz. it was a brown purse.
My friends took me to Lago Orar in Paudalho, where we met up with other friends who had a boat, and we boated around the lake. The lake connects to various rivers, which when you travel down them, look much like i am sure the Amazon looks like–with exotic birds flying up, bright red flowers lining the liquid green black water. there was an abandoned house, classic style from the 1920s. i was engulfed with beauty. it also chose to rain the whole day. a very dreary, wet, cold (for Brasil) day. but it matched the abandoned house perfectly. and i was happy.
i was then kicked out of the kitchen while a scrumptous VEGETARIAN meal was prepared…a huge salad, fruit by the bundle, and the most glorious, most soft and fluffy and perfect BOLO DE ROLO i have ever had in my life (jelly roll with guava, lightly sprinkled sugar on top). very happy indeed.
for class, i figured since i plan the class, i can change it. so i had all the kids help me out with a special project. after meeting a really amazing girl named Rachel (heh) at Cornerstone, she gave me this idea to write a letter to your future self. then after awhile you get to start reading them (she had started when she was like 13, so i am alittle late, but oh well). i figured to make up for lost time, i will write one to my future self (in five years–31????!!!!) and a letter to my past self (21…yeah). and i asked the kids to write one thing they would say to their past and future selves. here are some good ones:
Johnny, age 8. “When i was six, i wish i knew everything. when i am 10 i hope i go to Disneyland.”
Nicole, age 7. “When i was five i wish i knew how to talk to God. When i am nine i hope i read many books.”
Guilherme, age 7. “When i am nine i hope i am a book” (i think he meant to write something else, but when i asked him, he was tired of writing in English and said “no Teacher, that is what i meant–i want to be a book because then i will know lots of things.” and the little guy was so creative i just had to let it slide. heh)
Lukas, age 7. “When i was five i wish i knew to come to this school (he started last year). When i am nine i hope to have the car of the future.”
Tiago, age 13. “When i was eleven, i wish i knew not to cry when i fall. When i am 15 i hope to visit my uncle in Germany.”
Igor, age 15. (who i had to take to the principles office afterwards…bleh) “When i was 13 i wish i knew to study. When i am 17 i hope i will be working.”
Jonathas, age 14. “When i was 12, i wish i knew how to wait. Wheni am 16, i hope to travel the world.”
Rebeca, age 10. “When i was 8, i wish i knew to play and live more with my friends, and that i needed to love my family more. When i am 12, i hope i continue to be beautiful, obey my mother and father, and have good luck in the future.” (Rebeca is rather advanced in English and in thoughts. she makes me smile.)
Lorena, age 11. “When i was 9 i wish i knew i did not need to be afraid when we went to Africa. When i am 13 i hope i will be beautiful.” (Lorena’s family are missionaries to Africa)
Manuelly, age 11. “Whe i was nine i wish i knew to love my father more. When i am 13 i hope to be something in the future.”
Debora, age 9. “When i was seven, i wish i knew English. When i am 11, i hope i am very happy.”
Guilherme, age 9. “When i was seven, i wish i knew to respect my father and mother more. When i am 11, i hope i don’t fight my brother and talk bad with my mother and father.”
Luiz Mario, age 8. (the unfortunate bearer of pink plastic bags) “When i was six i wish i knew to always come to this school. When i am 10 i hope i go to New York.”
Eduarda, age 11. “When i was nine, i wish i knew not to argue with my sister. When i am 13, i hope i am pretty.”makes you think, doesn’t it?
