Hello NJ

I've moved out of the state of Ohio. Thanks again to L-B school for employing me with a job that wasn't exactly a regular occurrence in terms of teaching. I really had a great time working there since September.

Homeroom.

First period.

Fourth period.

Sixth period.

Seventh period.

Ninth period.

So now that I have two months of down-time in NJ, let the wandering begin. My sister lives in Nyack, NY, which is a cool town to putz around. Last night we went to Brooklyn for a good friend's birthday party. Three days down, well over 50 to go.

Sad sis.

Brooklyn.

Peppermint Postcards

At school there is this holiday thing the students have called "Peppermint Postcards." It is simply a candy-cane trade in which the students can buy a candy-cane and write a note to a friend on it and it is delivered to said student. The students all get them from each other, write to their crushes, giggle, and we all go about our day. They also, however, write them to their teachers.

I get one (of a few) from a student named Oliver. Oliver is a character. He is very proper, neat, intelligent, and well spoken. He dresses in khakis and sweater-vests with an occasional tshirt thrown in the mix. He thinks before he speaks, and is very critical of the jokes I perform. While other kids may be laughing, he'll be nodding and smirking as though saying, "Kudos, Mr. Henny. A finely executed lark indeed."

This is my last week teaching there before I move back to NJ this weekend, so the students are giving me their goodbyes and these Peppermint Postcards are a way for a lot of them to do this. The most of the cards go along the lines of "Good luck in South Korea!" "You're the best teacher ever!" "I'll miss you!" etc. I believe that Oliver thinks that is too enthusiastic for his taste, so his card reads as so: (EXACTLY as written)

"You did well here, so you receive this candy cane."

I can't wait for my formal handshake and arrivederci from this chap.

New Camera

I bought a new camera today. Here are some photos!

My room in Bowling Green. Only one more week in this fine state before moving back to NJ before the move to South Korea.

The Kritty.

The Kritty's favorite spot.

The Witty Kids I Teach

I'll admit it, from time to time I am outwitted by a 6th grader.

The kids were playing tetherball at recess. The pole is 10-or-so feet high and the string at the top unhooked and the ball and string went flying. A little girl goes to retrieve the ball and string.

"Can you fix this Mr. Henny?" she asks.

"Sorry, that's a little too high for me to reach." I answer.

"Oh. Well if you can't reach it than no one in the world probably can."