7 Lessons my kids have taught me

“I hope you learn something from those kids.” -my mom

And you know what mom? I have. Here they are. Neatly organized into a list. Not only am I a kickass teacher, I’m also a pretty good student. Who takes notes. And then organizes them. And shares them with her friends. So here they are:

7 Lessons my kids have taught me over the 3 months I’ve taught them.

Side note: Today is my 3 month being-in-Daegu (and therefore teaching) anniversary!!!

1. Be kind- one person can make a difference. I was really really sick a couple of weeks ago but Kayla asked me to take one for the team because we were already short a teacher. Anyway, I went into class, assigned work, and put my head down on my desk. 30 seconds later I felt a tap on my shoulder. I look up and Jamie asks me if I’m ok. I tell her I’m not feeling well and before I can even protest, she walks behind my chair and starts massaging my shoulders. I was all “oh Jamie you really don’t have to do that” and then she goes “don’t worry teacher, I do this for my mom when she’s sick. This will make you feel better.” WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT? I love that kid. And she brightened my day in a way I can’t explain in words. And she was right… I did feel better.

2. Laugh til your stomach hurts. Do this at any time. For any reason. Do it by yourself. Or with a friend. Do it in a tree. Or just to be. In a box or with a fox. In a house or with a mouse… sorry for getting all Dr. Seuss on you there there. But you do get the point. Laugh! Be merry!

3. Be silly. Have fun. Don’t take life seriously.
I think the following picture pretty much sums it all up. I asked Caden to finish writing the date. And this is what he wrote: “Today is… your special day!!!”

4. . Experiment. Push the envelope. Define your own limits. So I have this one really adorable kid I teach. But of course he’s also the class clown aka trouble maker. And this kid will come into class everyday and find a way to annoy me until I yell at him. And then he’ll stop. It’s almost like he’s testing my limits everyday. And in the process, figuring out what he can and cannot do. Some days he gets away with a lot. And some days he doesn’t. But that doesn’t stop him from trying. every. single. day. This kid will go far in life.

5. Don’t hold grudges. That kid I talked about in #5. He does something bad. I yell at him. He stays mad at me for maybe 3 minutes. And then he’s all teach-ah! Look! At! My! New! Lego! Set!

6. Be generous. Share. Even if you have just one cookie left.

7. Tell those you love… that you love them. And here’s proof they love me:

I think as kids, we all know the secrets to life, to happiness. And in the process of growing up, we forget. So here’s me reminding you to go out and play, laugh, get in trouble. Life is too short to take seriously :)

Ninjas, Chanel & Having this Moment for Life

This is going to be a quick post… because, well, I have really important saturday things to do. LIKE SHOPPING! (Mission find-a-swiffer-sweeper is still very much incomplete)

And and if this post had a soundtrack, this would be it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7GW8TYCEG4&ob=av2n

I wish that I could have this moment for lifeeeeeeeee.

Last night I went into downtown Daegu for the first time. And here’s me living life on the edge. On a normal day, I struggle crossing the street. But crossing it. taking a picture. with a car coming at me. and CENTERING the car!? You might as well just go ahead and call me SUPER TIA now. I’m not gonna lie. I’m pretty impressed with my skills. Maybe I’m becoming a Ninja. You know, like, being all smooth and sneaky and skilled and stuff? No? ok.

So downtown Daegu is like one of those street style blogs come to life. Every. single. girl. was impeccably dressed. I’m all about Chanel quotes like…

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

And Daegu girls? They’ve got this Chanel business down pat. (pun intended)

When I learn a bit of Korean (so I don’t look like a creeper trying to take pics of random girls) I’ll go into town and take pics of some of these girls and their amazing outfits so y’all can see what I mean.

P.S. I’ve tried a lot of new authentic Korean food in the past few days but editing the pics to make the food look yummier than it did in real life takes a bit of time… so hopefully I’ll be able to post in the next couple days :) PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE MY DEARS.

LOOOOOOOOVE, Me.