When I was in college, I took a semester off and spent about 6 months in China teaching English in a boarding school. It was a growing, eye-opening, incredible experience. I was able to travel and see a lot amazing places in China and learn to appreciate the Chinese culture. But really, my favorite part of the whole trip was the kids I taught. It was hard to say goodbye, realizing I'd probably never see any of them again. I left them all my address and email address, but figured that since they were 6 years old and their English was still very basic, that wouldn't amount to much. About a month after I was home from China I got a simple email from one of my favorite students. It said:
Amy: I love you! -Vern
then a few days later another:
Amy: How are you? Nice meeting you! I love you! -Vern
Such little emails made me so very happy. But it was another ten years before I heard from Vern again. We started emailing back and forth when he was 16. Then two years ago Vern came to the US to go to school in Illinois. It's been so much fun to see Jack (he changed his English name when he came to the US) grow up. He also recently put me back in touch with some of my other students. I can't believe how grown up these kids are! It makes me feel so old. It really feels like it was just a few years ago that I was in China teaching them. I have loved looking through my China pictures and remembering how much fun I had with these darling kids and comparing their old pictures to them now.
The little boy in my lap is Vern/Jack.
And here he is again.
This is him now.
And this is sweet Nicole then...
... and Nicole now.
Mischievous Seth then...
And Seth now.
Funny Adria then...
And Adria now.
Quite Anthony then...
Anthony now.
Maddie now (on left)
Darling Eddie and Reid then...
Reid now. (I haven't been able to reconnect with cute Eddie yet)
Smart little Emma then...
Emma now.
Funny Tony then...
and Tony now.
Shy Jennifer then...
Jennifer now (on Left)
My face is either pasty white or bright red in these pictures depending on if they were taken at the beginning or end of my trip. I went over in the winter and came home in June when it was starting to get very hot. In this picture my face and eyes are especially red because it was day I was saying goodbye. I still miss those cute faces.
WOW!! I love seeing these pictures and how all the kids have grown! Amazing. And it does make me feel old, geez.
ReplyDeleteAwww. They look so adorable! Looking at their "now" pictures, they did good growing up. And even if it was only six months, I'm sure your stay with those kids made a good impact on their lives, great or small. It was a sweet and heartwarming feeling that you reconnected with them and I hope that ain't the last time. All the best!
ReplyDeleteCarlos Strey @ The Bridge Across
It is fun to see the pictures of your students then and now. I am sure it will be meaningful to them and you and your family when you meet them. Seeing pictures of your trip is great fun. Love, Mom and Dad
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