Highlight of the Day

At the end of the 2-hour lunch break I headed into the schoolyard to socialize with some of my students. The brave ones run up and grab my hand/arm/coat (usually the younger ones), while the older ones giggle and keep a safe distance. Usually they ask me questions which I respond to in English, prompting many a "QUOI? QU'EST-CE QU'ELLE A DIT? CA VEUT DIRE QUOI???" many laughs, and lots of blushing. Others run up and shout "ELLO WASS YOUR NAME?" and then run away cackling. Well, today, Lucas came up to me with a notebook and asked me to write any word in English for him. "Any word? No requests?" N'importe. Wanting to be careful and diplomatic and whatever, I wrote 'school,' which he read back to me, clearly understanding its meaning. I turned my attention back to the 6 year olds playing marbles (seems like they're 50 years late to the table, right?). A particular 6 year old showed me all the marbles he had won from a peer as if he was letting me in on some big secret and another said "Hannah, tell us how to say marbles in English again! Tell us!" Nobody can make you feel cooler than a 6 year old. It's official.

Anyway, a gaggle of 10 year old girls approached me - they never talk to me outside of class alone, who else would they laugh with when I speak English? - and asked, "Hannah, why did you write 'I love you, Lucas' in his notebook?" What?

First of all, how did they see the word 'school' and believe that it could possible say 4 words? I know they can read. And my American print handwriting, while different from the scarily universal French cursive, is hardly THAT illegible to them. Second of all, did Lucas really think that this would work? He was counting on a lot of things happening for that one to go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, he was right in assuming that they would believe him.