I was waiting outside the classroom for my favorite (no shame in saying that) class to come. 6a - the group that studies all their lessons (except mine) in Kazakh. They're fantastic.
Alibek and Gudiskhan run up to me.
Alibek: Miss Holly! Do all people in America know about Kazakhstan?Me: Umm.... no.
Gundiskhan: Why not!?
Me: Ummm.....
Alibek: Do your friends know about Kazakhstan?
Me: Yes.
Alibek: Does your family know about Kazakhstan?
Me: Of course!
Later on in the class, while Ludmilla is teaching and I'm distracted by how adorable Dana, Tamiris, Alibek, and Gundiskhan are.....
Alibek whispers (while looking at the globe on my desk): Miss Holly! Do people in America know about Russia?
Me: Yes, of course.
Alibek: Do they know about China?
Me: Oh yes, definitely.
Alibek: Turkey?
Me: Yes, because the name Turkey is the same for Turkey (индейки).
--Alibek translates this into Kazakh for Gundiskhan, who speaks very little Russian, and they laugh--
Alibek: Hmmm.... what else... Mongolia?
Me: Usually, yes. Most people know about Mongolia.
Alibek: Then why not Kazakhstan!?!
Me: Umm.... Maybe because Kazakhstan is a peaceful country. With peaceful people. So we don't hear about it much on the news.
Alibek: Will you tell people in America about Kazakhstan?
Me: Yes, I will tell people in America about Kazakhstan, and about my favorite students, Alibek and Gundiskhan!
--Dana and Tamiris heard this and got all pouty--
Me: And my favorite GIRL students, Tamiris and Dana.
Then everyone was happy.
So, there's this country called Kazakhstan. It's in Central Asia, and well, it's HUGE. I don't know how I missed it all those years. But now it's my home, and, despite the grumbling and complaining I do about it sometimes (but don't you dare say anything bad about it! It's one of those "I can make fun of my little brother, but you can't" cases), I really am quite happy here. And part of that happiness comes from these AWESOME students. I don't know that I really will have that much of an effect on their future. I can't say that, even now, I motivate them to want to learn English or achieve more, but I do have fun with them and I do love them, and I will miss them terribly when I go home. I was thinking the other day about how I'll never see these little people again, and I'll have no idea what is going on in their lives. Will they live in Krasney Yar their entire life? Move to Kokshetau? Learn English and study abroad in England, then come back and get a good job in Astana? Who knows. But I hope they're happy.
I walked into my classroom Monday morning, and this was waiting for us on the chalkboard:
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| Ludmilla Iosifiovna! and Miss Holly! We LoVe you. Sincerely, your class 5B |
Or like this:
3 comments:
Ah. Tender. I guess I didn't know about Kazakhstan, but I knew there were various "stans" stuffed between Europe and Asia kinda. And then there was... well you probably don't want me to go there... but Borat did bring some attention the best Stan of Kazakhstan.
Yeah, I guess the fact that Kazakhstan is rather a peaceful country makes all the difference. And I also think that when your students grow up they'll befriend u on Fb (that's for sure). So don't worry, make loads of pictures so u could tag them later ;)
And I thought that England-Astana scenario looked familiar, wonder why? :D
Oh hugs. I love that you love the children. Perhaps you will seek a second degree in education with me. The money is no good. But you get to be a celebrity every day of your life.
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