slacking

I have been busy & distracted lately. I have not been able to focus, resulting in lots of Internet drifting, naps & staring out the window. Today, this came to a head. I gave myself a firm reprimand after falling asleep while reading my daily dose of Atlas Shrugged & decided that today, it must end. I have a whole slew of blog posts I haven't been able to get to between substitute teaching, grading tests & getting sad when I look out my window. Hello, seasonal mood swings!

I did my push ups for the day (going strong in week 2!). I pinned my bangs back, through could water on my face & decided that I am now too sore & tired to bore you with more feminist tirades. So why not share with you the things that have been distracting me lately? I promise they are worth investigating...

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
This book came it across the Atlantic as a birthday present from a friend. The epistolary style of the book is perfect for us, as we've decided since graduating college to remain close through letter-writing. I have since suggested it to my other pen pal & hope that we can all take a pen pal vacation years down the road to Guernsey, a British island, where we will make a blood pact & become the new Ya-Ya sisterhood.


2. The Pumpkin Dance
A bit late for Halloween, but just watch. And then realize that you want to keep watching.


3. Feministing
This is an outstanding blog for finding good news articles & good things to think about. More specifically, I've been watching & rewatching the video they posted by Wesley Meredith; I agree with their statement: most sexist political ad of the season. It hurts my heart to think that this tactic in any way contributed to his victory.

4. My Students & Coworkers
Yes, we've been on break, but my students have stayed in touch & more. I've received invitations to Senegalese dinners (as I got lucky enough to have a super diverse group of older students), days shopping, a driving tour of Nancy (which will most certainly include coffee, as my boss loves to buy one for everyone in the lounge–lovely lady) & mix sessions. That's right. One of my students does fun music things. Sample found here.

I'm trying to adjust to the teacher-student relationship, & it's tricky ground. I run a calm, open classroom. My theory is that they won't speak if they feel intimidated. They won't learn if they don't speak. Therefore, I must not be intimidating: I smile; we watch videos; we laugh. We act out things & look silly, but they know that when I scrunch my mouth  they better put the cell phones away & shut off the French talking before someone is thrown from the window. It's a good balance in the classroom. It's out of the classroom that's tricky.

I love getting to know my students & their different cultures. I'm flattered when they e-mail me & find me on Facebook. But when does this lead to favoritism? When do the other students see it & start feeling left out? I give them my e-mail each week & invite them to send me anything; that door is always open. I'd love to get even more e-mails... but how friendly can we get without breaking down a barrier that affects the classroom?

I'm trying not to think too deeply on this. Things are going well in class; they're getting to practice English outside of class; I'm getting to think in French more. We're all connecting to new parts of the world. Not to mention they only have me for a semester, then there is a chance they could never see me again. So maybe walls aren't so important. Maybe my purpose, my chance to be most effective, is finding small interactions that motivate students to look for English speaking opportunities.

I'm loving my work, & I hate that I switch "kids" at Christmas. I want to keep them all!