it's the end of the world as I know it

TESL has come to a close. We had our last class session this afternoon, and it's really kind of sad. I'm going to miss being with these women! Suzan, Katrina, Sarah, my mom...well, so I'll still have contact with my mom and I'll still see the others next year, but it's really not the same.

I'm going to miss the learning process and listening to stories and sharing experiences and jokes and laughter and tears. Oh yes, there were tears. That's what happens when you take an intensive course--and the tears were not only in direct correllation to the amount of homework each night. :P

And then there were the snacks and the drinks. Two-bite brownies--I shall need to stock up on those for certain times of the month--and roasted green tea. I'd never even heard of roasted tea, but this stuff...wow. It's heaven in a cup, and I'm not much of a tea drinker. Oh, and Dr. Leech always sneaking food...or at least dropping by to ask about lunch or dinner...him and Dr. Steinkamp (sp?) both...

Something else that I'm going to miss: the times of reflection and truly learning. I've learned a lot about myself throughout these four weeks. I've learned how to deal with my own issues that stem from a stubborn heart--"I don't want to write that bloody paper...it's a waste of my time!" (and such a false idea...)--to realizing that there's something inside of my that desires to teach, that is eager and excited and anxious to get going.

And to finish it all off, some quotes from class:

• "Yaaaaaaay..." :)
• "He's (she's) someone I'd stalk."
• "See how stalking can be fun?"
• "TESL: it's not for pansies."
• "It's like a verbal weed..."
• "So which journal does this go in...?"
• "Tikki tikki tembo no-sa-rembo chari-bari ruchi pip peri pembo"
• "We beat [insert name] to class! We're not really late!"
• "Keep her from chewing through phone cords."
• "Working hard?" "Hardly working."
• "They're my lunch buddies."
• "Is it warm in here?"
• "Hey June..." :P "Here comes the sun..." (The Beatles rule...)
• "Mr. Morton is the subject and the predicate is what he does..."
• "Hey, cat. You look good."
• "Interjections! Show excitement, or emotion!"
• "Conjunction Junction what's your function...?"
• "So I unpacked my adjectives..."
• "Sarah, you can learn the haka tonight and teach us tomorrow!"
• "Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!"