We had a beautiful "Good-bye" lunch with all of our co-workers yesterday. It was so touching. We went to a nice restaurant called "Jimmy's Kitchen" and we all ate till we were stuffed. I think I'll put on some pictures this weekend. They also did a very nice job picking out presents - they bought me a beautiful "Carolee" silver necklace, and got Stephanie a backpack! They know us so well. And Rachel made a speech about not just being co-workers but being friends and I was so close to crying! I didn't though. I'll just always remember having the chance to work with such wonderful women.And speaking of crying, I don't think I told you about Saturday Class. Well, as you know, teaching the Saturday Class Writing Club has been one of the highlights of my time at Fu-Hsing. So I was feeling pretty sad that Saturday was our last class. Everything went wrong in the class, nothing I had planned worked. I was feeling upset, when one of the Grade 8 boys asked if he could just leave 15 minutes early. I think he was just kidding, but it pushed me over the top. I started chanting to myself: "Don't cry! Don't cry!" But I couldn't do it. I turned around and just stared at the board, but there was nothing I could do, I just started to bawl. NOT what I wanted to do. The sweet grade 7 girls noticed, and came up to give me hugs and tissues. Then I had to turn around and explain to my mostly baffled class that I wasn't going to be coming back next semester, and I was VERY sad to leave them. It was awful. I couldn't get ahold of myself and sniffled all the way home. I think it's out of my system though, I haven't cried saying goodbye to any classes since.
3 comments:
I've cried at once work, too. It's not very comfortable, but I try to tell myself it's good for people (and kids) to learn that customer service reps (and teachers!) are real people, too.
May I ask, why is the lady in the back of the photo wearing a hot pink cowgirl outfit?
Maureen
I managed to get out of my last class this morning with tears just starting to squeeze out of my own eyes. I empathize. These kids really get to be a near and dear part of your life when you're with them every day.
Thanks for the empathy, guys.
And Maureen, good question. I forgot to mention that this was right after the Christmas performance, so the pink cowgirl outfit was to match the grade 2 girls. It does kind of stick out! (=
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