I Love My Job

But I realize I'm probably a bad teacher.
1. My students call the holidays, birthday and Christmas "Happy Birthday" and "Merry Christmas" respectively. Like they'll say, "When is your Happy Birthday?" and "Are you excited for Merry Christmas?" and I don't correct them because I think it's adorable. There are other things too that they say and I don't necessarily correct them even though they probably wish I would if they knew.
2. Lately I've been making my students listen to "grammar raps" that are part of our grammar workbook. I couldn't bring myself to subjecting them to this for the first few months of teaching, but recently I gave in. I just sit by the side and shake my head and feel sorry for the situation. But actually some of the students even seem to enjoy them. So maybe that's not considered abuse?
3. I'm thoroughly entertained by the gifts my students give me. I don't think this makes me a bad teacher, though. I think it makes me very happy and entertained; and in turn it probably actually makes me a better teacher. As a Thanksgiving gift one of my tiny Vietnamese students gave me an Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds set (perfume, lotion, powder?) 2 days ago a student brought me a fruitcake. I thought that was only a joke. I didn't think people actually gave each other Christmas fruitcakes. A student yesterday gave me a copy of the Book of Mormon as a Christmas gift. I was a bit confused at first. Did I do something to lead her to believe I wasn't Mormon? I mean, I'm definitely careful about what I'll talk about in school. Initially I tried to tell her that I already have that book, but she was so excited. Then I realized that she'd written her testimony in the front cover for me in her broken English and my heart melted and I graciously accepted her gift. One of my Russian students, in the excitement of all the holiday cheer, told me that 2009 would be my year to find true love. Wonderful.
I love my job.
I love Russians.
And I love everyone who reads my blog.