there are days when i can snap a fly from midair with chopsticks, and i sit back and marvel at my skill. then there are of course days like today, when it takes me about 208304238 hours to eat a bowl of rice and most of it ends up on the floor or on my shirt. (i think this is how i generally feel about life.)
it never ceases to amaze me how brilliant my students are. first of all, most of them are younger than ten and can communicate with me speaking and writing in a second language. second of all, they are just smart. a few days ago, i was asking them to give me some characteristics of ants. of course i got all the normal ones: small, black, etc...but i was a bit surpised when one kid said "strong." i laughed and was like, ok whatever. "NO TEACHER!" he said. "ants are strong! they put their big food in their little mouth and take it to their home!" after i realised what he meant, i was kind of shocked at #1 my own stupidity and #2 what he had said. he was right. when we are talking, sometimes we will have to pause at a word they don't know in english, like "aquarium" or "jellyfish" or "ketchup." i always make them describe it in english rather than just telling me in chinese, and their ability to do this in a second language at such a young age is nothing more than inspiring (and humbling).
today in taiwan, the temperature was about 25 c (75ish f). it was so sunny, and warm, and breezy...i think spring in taiwan is going to be amazing! summer, however...a different story. i am enjoying being able to breathe outside for as long as possible...
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