Last Bell

Yesterday was the last day of lesson. Normally, on Wednesdays, I have five lessons and one free period. However, students only showed up three of those lessons, and for two of those classes, we watched movies. So it really wasn’t a very productive day.

Only about eight students came to the first lesson, so we played English games the whole time. We watched “Alice in Wonderland” during the second lesson. Only two students came for the third lesson, but then they left for the computer lab to play games. My fourth lesson is free, and no students came at all to the fifth lesson. The sixth lesson had only about half the students show up, but we combined classes with the other sixth form group and watched a movie.

Today we celebrated the end of the school year. The school honored the graduating students as well as the students with exceptional marks. As with all Moldovan assemblies, some students preformed a dance routine and several students sang songs. One of my favorite things that happened during this assembly was the 12 form students invited their parents to dance for one of the songs. And at the end, the 12 form students were given balloons (red, yellow, or blue) and then they all released them together.

The school director also thanked me for my service to the school. She said very kind words about me and called me to the podium. She gave me a gift from the school (a framed painting of flowers) before handing me the microphone and asking me to say something.

Now my Romanian isn’t great, but I know enough to say a nice thank you and talk about enjoying my year here. However, when I’m speaking Romanian, I have to concentrate on what I am saying. And while I was trying to speak, many students came up to me to give me flowers.  I wasn’t able to get out two words without student coming up to me to give me flowers. And so, I ended up having a hard time concentrating on what I wanted to say.

What I was trying to say: I have enjoyed working with you this year. You were very kind and hospitable, and I thank you very much. Have a good summer, and I will see you next year.

What I actually said: You have…oh, thank you…I have…thank you…ah, thank you…I have, pardon…You was very kind. Thank you.

There were probably a few more “thank yous” in there because every time a student gave me flowers, I thanked him/her. Needless to say, I sounded ridiculous.  But I think they understood that I was grateful and happy to be there.

High School Graduation Moldovan Style…And I Mean Style

Today I attended the high school graduation ceremony for the village of Cojusna. And let me tell you how much way cooler it is than American graduation ceremonies. First of all, each graduate walks in to the theme of Star Wars. Enough said.

Then the graduates sang several songs and read poems (I think they were reading poems. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but that’s my guess of what was happening).

Next the graduates danced a waltz. It reminded me of a princess scene from a Disney movie. Once again, I was jealous.

After the mayor of Cojusna spoke for a bit, the graduates were given their diplomas. Following that, the graduates danced again. This time, one of the students sang “Once Upon a December” from the Anastasia movie.

Then they danced the hora!!

They ended the ceremony with a song, and this time I could hear the men singing. Beats an American graduation by far! Note to self: next graduation take place in Moldova.