school days are here again. except this time, i am the 'teacher.' i teach english at a summer school for 2 hours every morning, have lunch with my boss/co-worker/friend cherry (we usually get noodles at an 'OLD BEIJING' resturant) then we part and i walk home.

this is my student. when i met him, he didn't know how to read a single word; now he can read 3-4 letter words and attempts to sound out new words. 'teaching' isn't the hard part, but trying to retain his interest, curiosity, and attention is FAR more challenging... there were times when he would refuse look at the book and instead kick the wall, climb on the window, roll around, etc.

one time, he refused to talk and spoke through a 'pants puppet'.

yesterday, he said he had something stuck in his teeth. so we went outside to look for a twig he could use as a toothpick. he likes maze puzzles, xi-yang-yang, and pets. once, a machine slammed on his middle finger and broke it. he has a henan accent and his laojia has orange trees. when he giggles, he always covers his mouth with both hands.