Another Surprise!!!

#7  04/18/12 (03:00-05:02)

                When I first walked into the class, I felt relieved because there were only Boo and another student in the classroom.  I thought to myself “Whew! Today won’t be as distracting as the last time.”  Today was very easy and relaxing because Boo was now done with her LIT12, and she has been working on Computer Applications, which is easy as common sense.   I felt less pressured about teaching Computer Applications than teaching Language Arts although I have never learnt Computer Applications.   

I think Boo and I have gotten pretty close and we don’t feel uncomfortable anymore.  Since we feel comfortable with each other and the Computer Applications was easy, Boo and I began to have casual conversations for quite some times.   As we were having a first, nice conversation, I found out that she was pregnant.  I knew she had a boyfriend, but I didn’t know she was pregnant or her due date was September twenty-ninth or something.  I was shocked on the inside, but I tried not to show it.  I congratulated her, and we began to talk about (slightly) deeper things.   She asked me if I had kids.  My first reaction was “WHAT?! Do I look that old?” but I calmed myself and said “No, I don’t have kids.”  Then, she asked me “Do you want kids?” so I answered “Of course I want kids, but maybe in the future.”  Her questions continued.  She asked me if I preferred boys or girls and how many kids I want to have in the future, etc.  At the moment when she was asking me all these questions, I felt just too awkward to even try to think about why she was asking these questions.  Now that I reflect upon it in my quiet room, I think she was asking me these questions because she was pregnant and wanted to see if I was understanding of her situation.   As I realize this, I think Boo was being so cute today; at the same time, I feel bad that I didn’t understand why she was asking those questions when she was asking them because I could’ve answered in the way that would’ve comforted her more.  But anyway, I believe this is a proof that Boo and I have come a far way, wondering what the other might think and caring for one another. 

I hear a lot that teachers should be at the personal level with their students, and I believe this is the reason.  When you care for your students and share some kind of personal, valuable times with them, not only you but your students also begin to care about you.  In addition, you become to WANT to be a better teacher because of the care and love given by your students.  I am SO sad that I became close to Boo NOW.  I wish I had become close earlier so I could’ve given so much to her from earlier.  Next week is already my last day at the PLC.  I should buy a cupcake for Boo… the last cupcake.

-          Jin Kim, 1:30am 04/18/12