¨The Best English Class Ever¨ 3/26

I just got back from my English class and, as one of the high school boys said, “that was one of the best English classes ever!” Here’s why:
As the course is 3 hours long, we have a break ½ way through where the boys play soccer and the girls chat. Today, one of the guys came in and started talking with me, telling me he wasn’t in the mood to play soccer (strange as he always plays). We were chatting when all of the sudden I realized I didn’t hear anyone outside the classroom which was also strange because they are always quite noisy during the break. Then one of the other boys came in, telling us that one of the girls in the class who lives next door to the school was inviting everyone over for a snack. Yet again strange since she had never done this in the 6 months we’ve been having class. We get to the door and everything’s quiet so I told my friend, “maybe we should go in the back” and he says, “no, no, let’s knock.” So the door opens and there inside is my entire class singing Happy Birthday (in English!) with a big cake---- I was in shock! It was so beyond sweet and unexpected that they had been planning a birthday party for me—complete with balloons. They also made cheeseburgers (an all-american meal for the gringa’s birthday, of course!), which I hadn’t eaten in years but was actually really good. It was so cute that they made it like a birthday party in the US. As I mentioned in the post on Thanksgiving, many of my students said that the class has been a wonderful way to get to know other people in town and for me it has been equally meaningful for the friendships that have developed with people I probably never would have gotten to know if it hadn’t been for the class. The birthday party was all the more sweet knowing that for the most part, people in my town don’t usually celebrate birthdays for economic reasons, so it means more than I can describe that they wanted to do this for me. I was so upset not to have my camera but someone ended up getting a camera from a neighbor, so I will post pictures ASAP because they are absolutely adorable. One of the boys made a really sweet speech saying how great the English class has been and how we’ve all gotten to know each other and that they will never forget me and hope I will never forget them. I almost started to cry, because I know I will never forget the kindness of this very special night (aka “the best English class ever”).

Also: special thanks to the TONS of birthday cards that I have received (and it’s not even my birthday yet!) in the mail. I love getting mail down here and birthday cards are especially wonderful to receive. I’m waiting for my actual birthday to open them, but want to say MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS to the family and friends (and family friends!) who took the time to write--- it means a lot! I love and miss you all more than words can express!