Well, the way I see it everybody's allowed a few "d'oh"/"duh" moments in their life (I knew I've already had a few) so I more than humbly admit that CNN probably has a pretty good system there in listing the away team first when they roll the scores. For some odd reason I've gotten very used to seeing the winning team's score first and never pondered a reason why it could be otherwise. Thanks to everyone who enlightened me about my silliness.
So, the day after Derek Fisher (Or his German clone "Fischer," as World Sport has been spelling it this afternoon) saved the Lakers from another depressing game 5, I head into the weekend with a pretty tough week finished. For some reason I was frustrated through much of it, and had more than one discussion with my students about Bulgarian and American attitudes toward life. These talks have gotten to be more and more enlightening as we grow to understand each other and the eighth classes begin to understand more and more English.
I think the word "pessimism" was mentioned 12 or 13 times during the week as my students labeled more than a couple of things "stupid" and/or "dull." They all fully acknowledge that this is always a first reaction and that any activity I give them usually winds up being fun once I force them to do it. Usually I threaten a return to the workbook or textbook instead of doing whatever fun thing I had planned. That usually gets the job done.
Anyway, it all built up to something yesterday when, at the end of the week, the kids were noisy and completely unwilling to do anything. I quickly told them what I wanted them to do over the weekend (further anathema for them) and then took the rest of the day to explain to them what I thought was wrong with the class and how they could improve. I'm halfway inclined to believe that Monday could be one of those "We're sorry, Mr. Young" days that lead to a quiet week, but I'm not keeping my hopes up too high.
Fortunately, the internet club is here, and I can relax by reading all about the Lakers and their lead-losing exploits and going through e-mail. Then maybe there will be a movie later. I'm not sure. Whatever I'll do, I know this: as long as I can talk things out, go home, regroup, and teach again, life is good. Hard, maybe. Interesting, yes. And definitely good.
Posted by Rob at May 14, 2004 05:11 PMAny ideas on the root of their pessimism? They sound just like a Macedonian friend of mine. It's frustrating dealing with just one person thinking like that; I don't think I could handle a classroom full of them. Oops, did that sound just a mite pessimistic, too?
Posted by: joni at May 15, 2004 10:39 PM