Yesterday dotted my exacto one year mark from landing in the ‘Hai and I spent it throwing an end of the year party of snacks and prizes for my little mini-me’s + viewing of Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa.. (If you haven’t seen.. this is a must! What a great lil gem on acceptance, friendship and love, for biggies and littles alike!)

Anyhoots, upon landing last year, I was CLUELESS and moreso, OPEN, with little to no expectation of who/what was to come in my year abroad. Here I am at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a year later, waiting to board flight to return to the US of A….

I left straight from work where my kiddos surprised me, hiding under the staircase in the front lobby of the school, as I was making my exit, with my bags in hand – open armed, wide-eyed, cheek to cheek smiled, screaming various versions of “I love you Ms. Mimi! Don’t leave Ms. Mimi! I will miss you Ms. Mimi! Good bye Ms. Mimi! I hope to see you soon! Please come back! I will not forget you! Thank you Ms. Mimi!” attacking me with tight hugs – the ones that you really feel, and know that they mean it….. That moment was priceless! Truly priceless! It came unexpected but warmly welcomed. Looking into my students’ eyes – knowing I made a difference in each and every single one of them (some, even more than others – seriously, some didn’t know how to read a 3-letter word at the top of the year)….and now can give an all-out grammar lesson to their peers is truly amazing! Having them tell me the things they’ve learned, solely from me: how to be a good friend and problem solve, how to protect the Earth, to writing paragraphs and grammar structure is the most proudest I’ve ever felt in all of my occupations to date. Granted, sure I’ve made rockstars a whole lotta money in the past, marketing records and having them rock out on stages and watching crowds go frantic over them — I once thought those moments were the most rewarding – witnessing music lovers/crowds appreciate works of art in live form… but now I’ve got another feeling to contend with that. From Music to Education: both empowering tools in their own right; I am thrilled to have both under my belt.

As I crossed the school gates where the children were not allowed to pass, one little girl (Anne) who I had been tutoring after school, despite trying to withhold them, started to let tears trickle down her face. I couldn’t find it in me to just continue to walk away, so I walked back and as I called out to her and reached out to give her a hug, she immediately squeezed me close, as to not let me go. As much as I tried to hold it in, I felt my heart just give in to the emotions surrounding me. I whispered some words to her as if she were my own and felt my own eyes fill with mist. I looked up and saw several surrounding teachers following my misted reaction… it was all just too much!! I just thought to myself how much I had drilled these kids and how much they’ve learned and progressed as a direct result of me. My words. My teachings. My lessons. My encouragement. My discipline. My praise…and their uncontended trust in ME.

Now, I eventually made my way back out of the school gates and into a cab… I only wished I had my own camera out at that moment to see two of my darling boys (Johnny and Tai) with their infectious smiles, waving behind the gate bars. One boy, I had also tutored (Tai)… didn’t speak any English when he first arrived at the top of the year…but now can tell me stories, and just the other week, ran to me in excitement to tell me that he now knows how to play the violin…and willingly showcased his new talent to me. Such brilliant and bright cuties! I just hope that the foundation that I’ve worked so hard to instill in these young citizens will remain with them for a lifetime. For me, I still remember and appreciate my 1st Grade teacher (and was fortunate enough to track her down last summer before I took off for the ‘Hai.) And it brings me great joy, satisfaction and true rewards to know that I too, will have a similar, timeless impression on these future leaders of the world. It’s true, as a teacher, I didn’t make much, (but surely enough to live comfortably an travel abroad as ya’ll are aware, but that’s another post)…. but I absolutely know that I’ve made a difference – a very positive difference. :-)

. . don’t burn the day. .