I started my school day in class with the first graders. We have to stand outside and sing the national anthem and I had to stand in a line with all the kids and they were pushing each other closer and then they'd run away laughing. This didn't make me feel exactly welcome. The teacher just taught me Thai vowels only speaking Thai and I got very frustrated because I didn't understand. She kept leaving just me and the kids with no teacher. At one point she was gone for 30 and two first graders were fighting like you'd expect a 20 yr old to. They threw each other into the walls and when the teacher came back she did nothing to stop it. This made me very appreciative of the U.S. and very heart broken for these little boys. I got so fed up with her just leaving and saying the same words that I didn't understand over and over again that I said OK time for me to go be with my friends in M-6 and I left. Don't worry I did it respectfully and will back in there tomorrow morning. It's a weird setting and I don't think I like it much. When I got back to my class there was not a teacher around and my friends, although they weren't fighting were crazy. I thought this week was going to be the best but judging on the first few hours it might be hard to keep my head high. Anyways not that I have anything else to do, I just have nothing else to write.
Until Later, Dacotah Smith
What seems very interesting is the persistent theme of "violence" in the schools. I say this because it seems that the rest of the world looks at the United States as being so "terrible" due to relative laxity in laws. It becomes apparent that it is universal issue, even in countries with "less freedoms" shall we say. Keep your head high-we are so proud of you and you are adapting well!
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Lisa said. Maybe the first grade teacher thinks that you're there to sort of help out??? Keep the peace??? I'm really surprised that they let the kids do stuff like that since the Asian culture is always so respectful towards their elders. But, what do I know. Glad that you left and headed back to your own age group, even if they were acting crazy.
ReplyDeleteI am so in awe of you kids who go off to a foreign country for an entire year. At your age there is no way that I could do what you're doing.
Anyhow, your folks have our books and DVDs and I'm sure they'll let you know when they get sent. The books and DVDs that have the address labels on them, we'd like back IF POSSIBLE. The others don't need to come back and please feel free to share them with whoever may want them. Let us know when you run short of reading material or are running short and we'll put a few books in the mail.
Hugs,SusanC