Here's a short break from winter holiday to catch you up on some daily activities. These past three days (April 2-4) we've had a holiday from work/school for Qing Ming/Tomb Sweeping Holiday. The actual holiday is quite sad, because it is a superstitious holiday during which people worship their ancestors. However, because we don't believe this and neither do many of our Chinese friends, we had many fun activities planned for the holiday.
Before I get into those plans, I must first tell you about my April Fool's joke. Because of the three day holiday, we had to work Saturday and Sunday. Since Sunday was April Fool's Day and I was teaching my class that I've had all year, I decided they could handle a good trick. The plan: tell them that when they came back from Qing Ming holiday they would have a new foreign teacher because I was going back to America. Class A slowly trickled in, and as they did, I tried not to talk to any of them and if I did, I made sure I wasn't all excited about anything. When class started I told them the plan for the day, and then I told them I had some sad news. As I was telling them, I heard a few gasps and whispers, and when I was done, one girl, Jovey, remembered that it was April Fool's Day and she proceeded to tell everyone. I tried to say, no! I'm being serious! but I couldn't keep a straight face long enough and had to cave. Some students admitted to believing me, others I think were still trying to process what was going on, and others knew it was April Fool's so they figured it was a joke. I wasn't too disappointed, since I still had class B.
Same situation, HOWEVER, one student was going to be late and we all decided that when he came, we would try to trick him. So, 20 minutes into class Michael walks in. I finish explaining the activity they would be doing, and then Kenneth, who was sitting next to Michael explained to Michael what would happen. It went something like this:
K: Michael, we have some sad news. When we come back, we will have a new foreign teacher because Nicole is going back to America.
M: (eyes getting wider and wider) *gasp* (looks at me) Really??
N: yes.
M: why?
N: personal reasons. family reasons
M: when do you leave?
N: Tuesday
M: you can't go Tuesday! That's too soon!
N: I have to, I already bought my ticket.
M: *sigh* oh.
K: tonight we are having a party for her at 9:00 if you have a present you want to give her or if you have anything you want to say to her. You can tell her then.
M:(head nodding and eyes getting wide again) ok! (looks at me) I won't go home tonight so I can go to your party! [I think he was suppose to catch a train to go home]
N: (hand over my mouth to try to hide some of my smile) Thank you. That makes me happy that you will come tonight.
M: Of course!
Moment of silence, while Michael processes this all. The rest of the class, which was sitting behind him, is trying hard not to laugh. I look at Kenneth and shake my head, letting him know it's time to give it up. Kenneth bursts out laughing. Poor Michael is so confused and looks from Kenneth to me so I say: April Fool's!
Michael looks from me to Kenneth then back to me and then back to Kenneth, then says : I'm going to kill you. I told him he wasn't allowed to kill him til after class.
I give most of the credit for this working to Kenneth. If he wouldn't have done such a good job, I wouldn't have been able to keep it going since I felt really bad for Michael and wanted to tell him sooner "don't worry! it's not true!" Thankfully, Michael is a good sport, and hopefully I will still see Kenneth on Friday :)
Hope everyone else had a good April Fool's Day! It's late here and it's been a busy holiday, so I will update you on my "holiday" activities later.
Until next time.....His will be done.
Before I get into those plans, I must first tell you about my April Fool's joke. Because of the three day holiday, we had to work Saturday and Sunday. Since Sunday was April Fool's Day and I was teaching my class that I've had all year, I decided they could handle a good trick. The plan: tell them that when they came back from Qing Ming holiday they would have a new foreign teacher because I was going back to America. Class A slowly trickled in, and as they did, I tried not to talk to any of them and if I did, I made sure I wasn't all excited about anything. When class started I told them the plan for the day, and then I told them I had some sad news. As I was telling them, I heard a few gasps and whispers, and when I was done, one girl, Jovey, remembered that it was April Fool's Day and she proceeded to tell everyone. I tried to say, no! I'm being serious! but I couldn't keep a straight face long enough and had to cave. Some students admitted to believing me, others I think were still trying to process what was going on, and others knew it was April Fool's so they figured it was a joke. I wasn't too disappointed, since I still had class B.
Same situation, HOWEVER, one student was going to be late and we all decided that when he came, we would try to trick him. So, 20 minutes into class Michael walks in. I finish explaining the activity they would be doing, and then Kenneth, who was sitting next to Michael explained to Michael what would happen. It went something like this:
K: Michael, we have some sad news. When we come back, we will have a new foreign teacher because Nicole is going back to America.
M: (eyes getting wider and wider) *gasp* (looks at me) Really??
N: yes.
M: why?
N: personal reasons. family reasons
M: when do you leave?
N: Tuesday
M: you can't go Tuesday! That's too soon!
N: I have to, I already bought my ticket.
M: *sigh* oh.
K: tonight we are having a party for her at 9:00 if you have a present you want to give her or if you have anything you want to say to her. You can tell her then.
M:(head nodding and eyes getting wide again) ok! (looks at me) I won't go home tonight so I can go to your party! [I think he was suppose to catch a train to go home]
N: (hand over my mouth to try to hide some of my smile) Thank you. That makes me happy that you will come tonight.
M: Of course!
Moment of silence, while Michael processes this all. The rest of the class, which was sitting behind him, is trying hard not to laugh. I look at Kenneth and shake my head, letting him know it's time to give it up. Kenneth bursts out laughing. Poor Michael is so confused and looks from Kenneth to me so I say: April Fool's!
Michael looks from me to Kenneth then back to me and then back to Kenneth, then says : I'm going to kill you. I told him he wasn't allowed to kill him til after class.
I give most of the credit for this working to Kenneth. If he wouldn't have done such a good job, I wouldn't have been able to keep it going since I felt really bad for Michael and wanted to tell him sooner "don't worry! it's not true!" Thankfully, Michael is a good sport, and hopefully I will still see Kenneth on Friday :)
Hope everyone else had a good April Fool's Day! It's late here and it's been a busy holiday, so I will update you on my "holiday" activities later.
Until next time.....His will be done.
Teeheehee, great story!!!! I've heard it a number of times, but it's still fun to read. :)
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