303/365

Time to say goodbye to the most awesomest girls I've ever taught.

297/365

...instead of paying $15 - take a quick pic with the cell phone!
After the Simpson's ride. My facial expression is pretty clear about how I felt about riding it right after eating. Not recommended. (Noah, Danielle's oldest son, and Danielle, are in the front with me)

269/365

From my six year old boyfriend:Ok, so as not to sound creepy...
he's a first grader I've taught since last year, and ever since he won't stop talking about how much he loves me and my class, and how he'll always sign up for drama as long as I'm teaching.
I noticed he was particularly hyper Friday afternoon, along with a few others, so I blamed it on the ice cream ("Ice Cream Fridays" - don't we know by now that's a HORRIBLE idea?!?).. they were bouncing off the walls.
As I was leaving through the school gate, his mom and sister (who's in 3rd grade, and also in my class, but a different one) ran up to me and asked if I could wait a minute. I said "Sure," and they called out for him to come. I noticed by then the mother had a bouquet in her hand... the three of them walked up to me, the sister handed the flowers to her brother, who very proudly handed them to me and said, "These are for YOU!"
I gushed, and said, "WOW, thank you so much! These are beautiful! What are they for?" And both kids together said, "For all your hard work!"

Now if I could just find someone about 40 years older to do the same... :)

251/365

Ok so this was taken on Halloween, by me, but with someone else's camera, so it took THIS long to get it, and I'm not backdating it now.

Maya.
Best. Student. Ever.
Sweet, friendly, funny, talented, respectful, AND popular.
Huge kudos to her mom.

248/365

I normally tutor Korean kids - help with homework, etc. - A new gig I got through a friend recently. It's great that it's local, not so great it's not many hours.

They wanted me to come during the Winter Break to lead some of the younger kids in theater games and maybe do some type of performance; another way to help them learn the language as well as confidence and diction.

Today was our first day, and other than one child I already knew, everyone else I'd never met before. I was pleasantly surprised at how much energy they all had, and most willing to jump in and try things.

The first game we played is called 'Zip, Zap, Boing' - usually a rather complex game for kids to learn, but these kids picked it up VERY fast. Later, another boy joined in, and I asked Andy to explain it to him quickly in Korean so we could get on with the game.

160/365 More KIDS

... and on Fridays. 
These girls are particularly amazing, as not only did they all insist on auditioning like a professional actor (who would ASK for that?!), but they all LOVE MY CLASS - and today, they STAYED to help - with the smaller kids, and rehearse MORE!
I keep thinking someone's playing a joke... and this is what I have to remember when I'm sitting in traffic on the way home thinking I need to find another job, closer to home.
This one is my particular favorite (as a photograph):

Whatever their parents are doing (along with their regular teachers), I am impressed and thankful!

159/365 My kids

Okay, not really mine, but from 3-5 on Thursdays, they are.Two of my first graders, working out a big dance number for our show in January. They are awesome.

60/365

this is going to end up taking well over a year, m'afraid.

Niku, one of the few kids I teach who actually WANTS to act, AND is good! She played "Princess Ibis," a bobcat, in the year end show.