Graduation

Yesterday I woke up before my alarm, ready to get dressed up for the day and conquer it. I had a state of nervousness and excitement inside of me, and I just knew I needed to focus on the task at hand. I have been preparing at work for the past 2 months for graduation. I have been tirelessly working on the play, (the Golden Goose) and completing text books so my children could take them home. When I said my goodbye's to my kids on Monday, after their last real day of Kindergarten, tears came to my eyes. I gave them all hugs and kisses and one of the little boys named Jason reached up and gave me 4 or 5 kisses in a row. He said 'I love you' and walked out the door, and I stood there in my empty classroom collecting myself. I have put my heart and soul into these kids for the past 6 months and I did not want to let it go.

But graduation was happening, and we had to keep moving forward. I walked to work yesterday passing my coworkers on the way wondering why they were leaving for the auditorium without me. Since my boss was in that group I figured I must be going with another group, so I kept walking to work with no sense of haste in my step. Well, once I got to work I was informed that I was in fact supposed to be in the car with the group of my coworkers and boss that I had just seen on the sidewalk walking AWAY from school. So, I laughed and said.....'OK so how do I get there now?' As the Korean teachers were trying to find a ride for me, my student Jason walked in. The same sweet boy who had given me kisses the day before. He was so excited for the play, telling me to look at his stockings he was wearing under his pants, and to smell his hair because his mother put moose in it! It turned out that the owner of my school was going to drive me, and when he saw Jason standing next to me, he told him to hop in the car as well. This unforeseen ride together to the auditorium was such a nice surprise.

Me and Jason held hands the whole way there as he sang songs to me and recited his lines. I couldn't help but think how lucky I was to have missed my actual ride, since I was getting more quality time with one of my favorite students this way. We got to the auditorium, walked inside, and met the rest of our Kinder class.


Everyone was all dressed up looking so nice for their big day. We were informed that were were the last of the morning performances so we would have to sit tight, relax, and BEHAVE while we watched the other classes perform their play. I sat between two of my favorite and naughty little boys and chatted with them and took pictures with them to try to keep them from yelling across the auditorium. You see, every time a classmate of ours or a family member would arrive through one of the auditorium doors, my kids would YELL AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS to say hello to that person. Although endearing, not allowed. So we amused ourselves with photos and quiet conversation until it was our turn.

We went backstage and the children proceeded in putting on their costumes and microphones. They figited with them for quite some time but then lined up and were ready to go. They all looked adorable in their bright colored outfits, with some of the outfits needing a bit of adjusting. One child had too big of a pot belly, so we put his belt around his head as a headband instead. So funny, right?

They were not nervous AT ALL, they were ready to go, so we walked on stage. I told the audience who I was, and that we were doing 'the Golden Goose' as our play today. And just like that.....it started.

The kids did their introductions wonderfully, speaking loudly and clearly telling the audience their names and what character they would be playing. The parents behind me were snapping photos and saying many "Ooooh, awwwww", so I knew we were doing well. My hands were shaking through the whole thing because I was so nervous for them. There were no hiccups until we got to PitterPan. The poor child's microphone was not working! And then we got to Sean, and in the middle of Sean's introduction Jason let out a HUGE SNEEZE which was incredibly loud considering he was wearing a microphone. The audience laughed and we kept moving forward with the play even though Sean had his pouty face on.

They sang and danced and said their lines with confidence! Especially considering there was a continuous issue trying to fix PitterPan's microphone. But this didn't bother them, the children kept going like champs. I couldn't have asked for more! By the time our finale song came on, Lean on Me, PitterPan had TWO microphones on his ear with one of them actually working. We were ready and we began our song.

The kids clapped and sang and I turned around and got the audience to clap as well. The parents joined in and continued taking photos and singing along. Apparently this song is a big hit here in Korea too, so the audience was getting into it. The kids remembered all their dance moves, and by their bow at the end, the parents were cheering! We walked off stage, my hands still shaking, but all of us knowing WE KILLED IT! We did amazing. The kids did better than I could have ever imagined.

They had a little snack backstage once they were back in their regualr clothes and they kept telling me how much fun it all was! I continued to encourage them and praise them for a job well done, and then we were told it was picture time.

I went up on stage with all the children and their parents and we took a group picture. The children got their diplomas and I congradualted all of them on graduating. Many parents came up to me and thanked me for teaching their child, wanted one last picture of me with their little one, and told me how well we did in the play. I was even given a beautiful bouquet of flowers and my heart just felt filled to the brim with love.

To have that many parents come and tell you how much you are appreciated, want photo ops, and giving you so much praise for your efforts, truly makes you feel amazing. I couldn't even cry in the mad rush of what was happening on stage, because it all happened so fast. They all wanted more pictures and hugs from their teacher; ME. I didn't feel sad, I felt great, and extremely proud. I will miss those kids, but we went out with a BANG!