School is back in session. While it officially started on September 1, today was my first class. It was quite strange being back there again. I had stopped in at school on Monday and was hanging out in the lounge/foyer when Andis & Ieva walked in… weird feeling. Ieva attacked me with a hug, which felt normal, but it was just odd to be back again.

So today was my first class. I’m only teaching 12th grade this year (plus doing some conversation classes), which really lightens my load, and I’m glad. I was almost late to class due to a mix-up as to when class actually started. Then when I got there, there were 2 classes scheduled for the same room at the same time. Minor crisis, but we worked it out.

Today I basically just had everyone tell me about their summer, really just to get them speaking again. I know it was weird for Ieva & Andis (as it was for me) since everything any one of us did this summer, we all did together. Ieva started off with “Well, I went camping with my friends (smirk, stifle laughter, don’t look at the teacher), and then…” Yeah, that was a good trip, wasn’t it? :) Andis said, “I pretty much did what Ieva did all summer.” I was really proud of him, though. He added, “but also this summer I really grew in my faith with God” which was really bold of him to say infront of his whole class. Not something he would have done last year. So cool.

It’s not going to be easy being their teacher and friend at the same time, though. I have to balance not favoring them with not neglecting them. Quite strange & difficult. But, it’s worth it. I was kinda bummed that I couldn’t also teach 11th grade, but now I’m happy. I can just be friends with them.

Major mixed feelings when some of the 11th & 10th graders (my old students) came to me and said they didn’t like the new English teacher and the wished they had me back. I felt bad for the new teacher and tried to encourage them to give it time and such, but deep inside, I admit it felt a little bit nice. They missed me. :)

Off to the airport tonight. Lizzy is still here (yea!!!), and our mutual friend, Emily, flies in tonight for a week. She’s been living in Portugal and is coming for a week to hang out and visit. (Ok, she had to get out of Portugal for visa reasons, too.) She lands at 11:30pm. We might get home by 1:30am… I have class tomorrow, too. Oh, fun. I think I’ll give them a quiz. :)