As the semester is winding to an end, I am finding that my students have increasingly interesting and ridiculous excuses as to why they cannot come to class or turn in their assignment on time. Some of the best are reasons why I should give them A's. So for everyone's reading entertainment this evening, I am listing a few of my favorite student interactions. Enjoy!
Student email: My internet is not working so I can't email you my paper
Me: Then how are you sending me this message by EMAIL, if your internet is down?
(better think of a better excuse next time)
Student: I won't be in class today because... my bike got stolen a few weeks ago and I saw someone riding it in DC today so I chased them down and now I'm waiting for the cops to come...
Me: I'm not sure if I buy this, especially because this student was a tiny girl in full burqa
Student: (male) 5 mins before class- in hysterics: I can't turn in my paper because my girlfriend just broke up with me
Me: Ok, I'm sorry that happened to you, but why is it that your paper wasn't written prior to 5 minutes before class....
Student: Why did you only give me 5 out of 15 points on this essay?
Me: Because you said that the Black Hand didn't actually kill Franz Ferdinand, that the Austrians stopped it and World War I was avoided... This is completely wrong! He was killed and World War I did actually happen...
Student: You're wrong!
Me: Um, no, sorry. (what I really wanted to say was, try reading the book or attending class and you might actually know what happened in history...)
Student: I really thought that I deserved an A on that paper
Me: You didn't capitalize the start of any sentences, had no periods and mispelled every other word (including their own name)
Student: I don't like to be constrained by sentence structure. I prefer to write my papers in stream of conscience.
Student: Why did you count me absent for the last 3 weeks
Me: Because you did not attend class
Student: Yes I did!
Me: Then why didn't you sign the sign in sheet?
Student: I came in late and missed it
Me: What about when I announced that everyone should sign it before leaving?
Student: I had to hurry out
Me: Okay, show me your notes to prove you were present
Student: Funny story, my dog tore up my spiral and I had to buy a new one...
Me: Seriously! Your dog.... oldest excuse in the book
I have TONS more stories I could share, but these are just a few of my favorites. Although I am quite ready to be done being a TA, some of the stuff these kids tell me cracks me up! Well, better get back to studying.... its that time of the year for me. At least this library let you eat, study and sleep in it : ) Perfect living conditions for the next few weeks!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Happy November!
Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since I last updated! I thought things would slow down after midterms....and I was wrong! How can Thanksgiving only be 1 week away!? I can't believe it! Anyways, here is a brief update of what has been going on in DC the last 2 weeks!
1) Winter- It is officially COLD here. I don't like it. Not only is it cold, but it is windy, which only makes it worse. AND, now that daylight saving has hit, it gets dark at 5pm, no joke. Everyone has broken out their warm coats, scarves, etc. and all I can think about is where to go buy long-johns, hand warmers to put in my gloves and ear muffs. The worst part is that it is only November... I don't even want to think about what February is going to be like. Brrrr.
2) Thanksgiving- My parents are going on a cruise for Thanksgiving, which means that my brother and sister are coming to spend the holidays here! I'm super excited to see them and they haven't been to DC before! It's going to be a blast. Downside... I have to cook Thanksgiving dinner. I've already consulted my gran on how to properly cook everything- and she told me to not even bother attempting to cook a whole turkey, just buy a pre-made one..... which is great advice but I already have a 15 pound turkey in my freezer. I heard people talking about a "turkey shortage" so I claimed mine early! Usually, I'm a decent cook, but every now and again I have a flop (like tonight) and we just order Tasteful Delight Chinese from down the street. I don't think I can get away with that on Thanksgiving..... I DID practice our family potato recipe last weekend when our Sunday School class served at the homeless shelter. They seemed to love it, so that's a promising sign...
3) Christmas- I know it's a little early to be posting about Christmas, but it's just in the air up here. All the public places have put up Christmas trees, the square outside of our apartment built an ice-skating rink surrounded by Christmas lights and it "snows" every night there, and Starbucks has unveiled their red cups for the season. Besides that I'm miserably cold, at least it actually feels like Christmas season is coming!
4) Teaching- I must say that TA-ing has been a great opportunity this semester, especially because it paid, and I learned alot. The most important thing I've learned is that God did not intend me to be a teacher... ever.... I seriously have 0 patience. I'm sure Caleb is tired of me talking about particular students that I just want to kick in the face sometimes. I keep telling myself that it's just the end of the semester and everyone freaks out about their grades... it's not about me. While they are (for the most part) great kids and I wish them all the best, I am very ready to never see them again. It is definitely time to move on.
5) Jobs- As it is now November, Caleb is officially applying for summer jobs/internships. The problem is that not all of them pay- and some are SUPER competitive, so extra prayers that God would open the right door would be great! I am also applying for Spring and Summer jobs/internship/volunteer opportunities.... that pay..... basically anything that isn't TA-ing. It would be nice to do something related to my school field, but we'll see.
6) Scarlett- She is LOVING the winter weather and has started growing her fall coat. When we leave the screen door open, she enjoys laying/sleeping in front of it while the wind blows on her. She was definitely made for the North. I can't wait til it starts snowing for her...
I feel like I am forgetting something important but I just can't think of it! Hm... well I promise to update better in the upcoming weeks. I'm sure there will be lots of fun things to report from Christmas season in DC!
1) Winter- It is officially COLD here. I don't like it. Not only is it cold, but it is windy, which only makes it worse. AND, now that daylight saving has hit, it gets dark at 5pm, no joke. Everyone has broken out their warm coats, scarves, etc. and all I can think about is where to go buy long-johns, hand warmers to put in my gloves and ear muffs. The worst part is that it is only November... I don't even want to think about what February is going to be like. Brrrr.
2) Thanksgiving- My parents are going on a cruise for Thanksgiving, which means that my brother and sister are coming to spend the holidays here! I'm super excited to see them and they haven't been to DC before! It's going to be a blast. Downside... I have to cook Thanksgiving dinner. I've already consulted my gran on how to properly cook everything- and she told me to not even bother attempting to cook a whole turkey, just buy a pre-made one..... which is great advice but I already have a 15 pound turkey in my freezer. I heard people talking about a "turkey shortage" so I claimed mine early! Usually, I'm a decent cook, but every now and again I have a flop (like tonight) and we just order Tasteful Delight Chinese from down the street. I don't think I can get away with that on Thanksgiving..... I DID practice our family potato recipe last weekend when our Sunday School class served at the homeless shelter. They seemed to love it, so that's a promising sign...
3) Christmas- I know it's a little early to be posting about Christmas, but it's just in the air up here. All the public places have put up Christmas trees, the square outside of our apartment built an ice-skating rink surrounded by Christmas lights and it "snows" every night there, and Starbucks has unveiled their red cups for the season. Besides that I'm miserably cold, at least it actually feels like Christmas season is coming!
4) Teaching- I must say that TA-ing has been a great opportunity this semester, especially because it paid, and I learned alot. The most important thing I've learned is that God did not intend me to be a teacher... ever.... I seriously have 0 patience. I'm sure Caleb is tired of me talking about particular students that I just want to kick in the face sometimes. I keep telling myself that it's just the end of the semester and everyone freaks out about their grades... it's not about me. While they are (for the most part) great kids and I wish them all the best, I am very ready to never see them again. It is definitely time to move on.
5) Jobs- As it is now November, Caleb is officially applying for summer jobs/internships. The problem is that not all of them pay- and some are SUPER competitive, so extra prayers that God would open the right door would be great! I am also applying for Spring and Summer jobs/internship/volunteer opportunities.... that pay..... basically anything that isn't TA-ing. It would be nice to do something related to my school field, but we'll see.
6) Scarlett- She is LOVING the winter weather and has started growing her fall coat. When we leave the screen door open, she enjoys laying/sleeping in front of it while the wind blows on her. She was definitely made for the North. I can't wait til it starts snowing for her...
I feel like I am forgetting something important but I just can't think of it! Hm... well I promise to update better in the upcoming weeks. I'm sure there will be lots of fun things to report from Christmas season in DC!
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