More Stories from an Elementary Teacher

One great thing about teaching elementary is that there is never a dull moment.  It's not un usual when someone asks me to share a funny story about the little kiddos.  So I've tried to compile a few funny moments thus far.

A Blonde Moment.
Unfortunately with Mk (missionary kid) schools there are always kids coming and going and we as teachers always try to help our students with good byes as much as we can.

So on this particular day it was one of my students, Keishin's, last day.  I wanted to make sure the kids were able to say a proper good bye and share their favorite memories of Keishin as well as what they loved about her.  So we all gathered on the carpet and I told them that if there was anything that they wanted to share about Keishin they were welcome to do so.  I told them what I loved about her, and why I would miss her.  Some other kids told us their favorite memories about her and so on.

Then one of my little girls raised her hand and when I called on her she started telling her story.  As the story went on I realized that there was something missing, so I asked her, "Honey, is Keishin in your story?"....and as my student looked at me quizzically and responded, "Keishin has to be in the story?"....

A Little Confused
In math we were learning about probability, so to better help illustrate this to my kids we talked about things that are impossible and things that are 100% certain.
So to start out we brainstormed things that are impossible....sprouting wings and flying, talking cats, milking a dog, and a bunny laying an egg.  Pretty good.
But then my 4th graders seemed to be challenged by thinking of things that are 100% certain.  They started off by saying things like, "there will be school tomorrow."  But when asked, "well could you think of anything that might have us cancel school?"  One of my little guys answered, "well i guess there could be a typhoon tomorrow." "Exactly, so it's not 100% certain.  What are we totally sure of?"  That's when one of my little honey girls raised her hand and said, "Well...there's gong to be a typhoon tomorrow...."
"Ok....how do you know that there is going to be a typhoon tomorrow," as I'm looking out the window at the clear blue skies, she says, "well I heard school's going to be canceled tomorrow."

My kids love having lunch with me for three reasons
1.) my classroom is air cond.
2.) I will most of the time get them a little treat.
3.) and lastly I don't have to act like a teacher for 45 minutes :)

School Girl Crush

The other day one of my little girls came into class all giggly and told me, "Miss Cosper, yesterday, Christian sang in Music class and...." (trying to contain her excitement) "he pointed to me!"  I smiled and said, "Woah, that's pretty cool.  So what does that mean?"

She awkwardly twists her arms in a knot and with a big goofy smile says, "so now I like him!!!!"

Drama Guy

Every six weeks the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are allowed to sign up for activity periods, a class where they can learn something fun or participate in a skill building activity.  I teach drama, and love watching the kids having fun and pretending they're someone else.  

So the other day the kids are signing up and this little 3rd grader comes up and asks me if he can sign up his friend who's really looking forward to drama.  I told him, "Sorry, but you can only sign yourself up, he'll have to wait his turn."  A disappointing answer indeed.  He responds that it's ok, because he's still excited for the club.  Then he proceeds to ask, "sooo....are there any parts with fainting?  Cause I'm pretty great at fake fainting."  He then goes on to demonstrate for me his "perfect faint."  It's hilarious and actually pretty good.  All I can do is give him a little wink and say, "we'll see what we can find!"

let's get some perspective

Woke up this last Sunday to a beautiful sunny morning.  I love the church where've I've been going this last year so I was eager to be fed and refreshed for the week.

As you may know, the traffic here in Manila can be quite the adventure.  However, I am a fairly confident driver and I have adapted to the weaving and dodging ways of driving in the Philippines.  But I guess there is always the exception.  Because on my way to church on Sunday I was T-boned by another car.  I swerved to avoid it as much as possible but unfortunately could not have saved my little Lance (my mitsubishi lancer).

I looked out my driver's side window to see a little honda civic sitting right there.  While trying to maintain my cool I moved forward to the side of the road so that I wouldn't be blocking traffic (something I later learned you should NOT do).  As I got out of my car this old man got out of his and apologized for the accident telling me he never saw me coming.  I told him it was fine but just earlier that week had heard a story about a friend who did not call the police and now regretted it, so I told him that I wanted to call the police just so that we could report that it had happened.

As soon as the cops arrived the man's demeanor changed and he began blaming me saying that he had the right of away.  After standing around for nearly an hour the cops told us that since I had moved my car they couldn't sketch the scene and I had to go down to the police station to report the accident (had I left my car right where it had happened they might have been able to declare who was at fault at the scene).

By now I have called my friend Wendy and Ted who have joined my room mate and me.  I am so grateful to them, they were such a moral support!  Having 4 white faces though creates quite the attention, so much so that people were actually slowing down to gawk! haha

Anyway, we get to the police station and by now the old man is so irritated with me, and starts calling me names, and telling me it's definitely my fault.  When asked to give my side of the story I explained to the police that I was driving down the road when he neglected to stop at the stop sign and ran into me...I even had to pull out my teacher voice when he kept on trying to interrupt me :)  Thank you fourth grade!

After another hour of going over our stories and filling out our paper work the police informs me that since the man refuses to admit it is his fault we'll have to go to court (because he doesn't have insurance).  I am so overwhelmed at this point, and feel like there is no hope, that my car will forever have this huge dent in the side I start to cry.  Great...now I'm the crying white girl... let's just invite even more people to stare.

After the old man left, the police were so gracious to me and apologized to me for the whole situation and the stubborn old man.  They told me it was surely his fault and that I just need to report it to my insurance and let them fight it for me. Uhhhh. what a morning right?.... well my friends and I decide that it's lunch time so we'll take a visit to our favorite Indian restaurant and treat ourselves.  I am so shaken up though that I have Kelli drive.

As we get to lunch I begin thinking that it's ok.  It's not he end of the world, and worst case scenario I'll have to pay out of pocket to get by car fixed.  It's disappointing, but as my friend Tedge prayed for lunch, He is Lord over all and He protected Kelli and me.

After lunch I am feeling much better, and think the best thing would be to get back on the horse and ride again.  So I tell Kelli I'm fine and I'll drive home.  As I'm leaving the parking lot I remember that there is a huge sale going on at the mall next door, and when there is a sale in the Philippines everyone and there mother show up.  So the traffic is TERRIBLE.  bumper to bumper....unfortunately I say that statement literally, because yes I was hit again.  I stopped the car and look at Kelli and literally say to her, "you're kidding me right," to which she responds, "have you seriously been hit again?"  I get out of the car and look at the car which was was trying sneak past me but clipped my rear bumper.  There is large white scratch...I am so shocked I can't even cry, think, and barely speak.  I look at him and tell him this is the second time I've been hit that day.  The guy was so apologetic and I could see that he had no money.  He was a driver for some large company and so I decided to forget it.  I wrote down all his information, but couldn't get myself to call the police AGAIN.

So yea, by the end of Sunday I felt like everything was breaking.  I was exhausted, stressed, and miserable.  The next day I started to blog about the whole situation (cause I'm always looking for something to blog about) and as soon as I started to write I realized I needed to get some perspective.  I was still too mad, frustrated, and confused about the whole situation.  Later that evening I skyped my beautiful sassy sister Clare and began verbally processing.  I realized that this was my first week where I thought...."why couldn't I be here next year? The Lord has blessed me so much, and could that possibly be a sign that I am doing exactly what He wants me to be doing?  That my work here is actually making a difference."... and then as I explained to Clare I clearly remember thinking, "I mean I even have a car which is a huge blessing!"

As I was verbally processing (which is quite often) with my sister I had to ask myself could this possibly be an attack?... I still don't know, and perhaps I will never know.  But it has made me think even harder about staying.  I have been encouraged in the last few days with the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  


Please pray for me as I make this huge decision about another year as well as if you would like to continue to support me financially and through prayers.  The Lord is good and He will make his plan known to us, and I will simply follow that path.


Pray for just enough illumination for the next step, and then the courage to take it. -David Crowder

funny presents.

I love when my students bring me home made gifts.

This is the newest edition to my collection...not sure what it's supposed to be but she told me she "crow-shayed" it just for me! 

I'm feeling the love..just trying to figure out what to do with it :)

Beaches, Balconies, and Bruises

The title of this blog post may sound a little funny, but it perfectly describes my rest this last week.

Living in a the tropics has it's perks.  Most of the time I may complain about the heat, how it's so humid, the terrible traffic, and flooding roads but when I am able to escape the Manila jungle and relax on a white sand beach I am reminded of how blessed I am.  

As you may have noticed, from my past blogs and updates, my class this year requires much more of my energy than last year's. So as my October break rolled around the corner I was more than welcoming and ready for rest.

Some friends whom have become more like family and I were able to retreat to Puerto Galera where we were welcomed with the sound of the lapping ocean, the pitter patter of rain, and the comfort of a cool air conditioned room (it's too expensive to use at home).  I was so looking forward to bundling up in the air con and reading a good book.    I am so thankful for books and lounge chairs on the beach.

One of my favorite games to play is Frisbee and thanks to my room mate (who brought hers) we were able to run around on the beach passing it back and forth for hours.  I love running in the sand and diving for the Frisbee.  My friends and I can also get pretty competitive while playing and so I found my arms blotted with purple bruises.

Another one of my favorite activities includes hiking!  I love being able to get out of the city and hike through the woods.  I was able to take one of my favorite hikes from last year.  The "trail" takes you up to a waterfall where you can jump in the water and feel refreshed in the cool fresh water!  While climbing on the rocks I took a little spill and fell down one of the smaller falls.  I was left with another huge black and blue bruise on my leg...not so pretty.

I have always been teased by how easily I bruise, but this week it has proven to be more true than I would care to admit.  But each little ugly mark comes with a reminder of what a blessing this last week is and my wonderful Phili-Fam (Philippine's family).  I love laughing with them and playing games with them (no matter how many times I may lose miserably).

While sitting out on the balcony late one night some friends and I reminisced about what the Lord has taught us this last year, prayed about our classes this year, and even discussed next year.  I love being able to hear what the Lord is doing in my friend's hearts and how He has worked in all of our lives in bringing us together.  I am thankful for prayerful friends.

All in all my little beach get away was magnificent and I am refreshed and ready for the return to school.

Ran out of room in the trike so Leo had to ride on top.

Hike to the falls with Kelli and Luke

Jumping in the pool

one ugly bruise...