International Night

Tonight was International Night at Gracyn's school. This is always a fun school event. I can remember being a teacher at my first International night back in 1996 and thinking how neat it was to see all my students proudly display their heritages through dance and food. 10 years later, I was able to take my daughter to her first International Night. International Night begins with a cultural program in which students separate into nationality groups and perform traditional songs or dances. Everyone wears their traditional clothing as well. The students look so neat and beautiful in traditional dress. Tonight was full of dances from Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, India, China and one group even tried to do a typical American football half-time show. The kids dressed in cheerleading outfits and band outfits. The most hilarious part of that show was that their wasn't a single American in the group! The Americans didn't perform this year. Maybe their weren't any parents willing to help with choreography. The show was fun for the kids and for adults alike. There were tons of technical glitches tonight, but a good time was still had by all. I think this Indian kid stole the show. He was about 12 or so and performed a solo dance. His dance was about unrequited love, but it looked more like a John Travolta show! He was decked out in a glittery costume and was giving the dance 110%. It was fun. Jack commented that at his age, he had guts to get out there in do a solo like that. It looked like a Bollywood show...India's version of Hollywood. Very disco-like.

After the show, everyone was able to travel around sampling foods from all the nations represented. That's the best part. The Americans typically do it up right with desserts. We don't bring too much food. I made Mrs. Field's cookies and snickerdoodles. We didn't get any of our own desserts or any others, unfortunately. But, the food was plentiful at the Indian, Korean, and Thai stalls. Jack feasted on Indian and I stuck to Korean and Thai. The lines were so long! The Canadians actually had a very interesting dish of french fries with gravy and cheese on top. It sounds weird but it was pretty good! I can't remember what they called it. I wish I could have stuck around and ate more of those good foods.

I also had a good time seeing my old students as seniors! They were running all sorts of fund raisers for their senior class. Of course, I had to help out and buy some stuff. They are all so grown and beautiful. Next year they will be launched on the world. I want to enjoy watching them while I can. The best part for me though, occured when a middle school aged boy said hello to me. I recognized the face, but it took a minute to realize that he was Akaraya's brother! Akaraya was perhaps one of my closest students. I brought her home with me, to the States, at the end of my first year teaching 3rd grade. She stayed with my family and I for a month in Atlanta. We had a blast. When I finally realized that it was Pichayute talking to me, I had to chase him down and ask about Akaraya. She left ICS several years ago to attend a school with a program for learning to be an Ambassador...which is her dream. She graduated high school last year and is now studying in England! I haven't seen her since 2001. After talking with Pichayute for awhile, I saw Akaraya's mom and she gives me the biggest bear hug. She was as happy to see me and I was her. It was great seeing her. She was always so sweet to me. We talked for awhile and I gave them my email address to pass to Akaraya in England. I hope I hear from her. She's a special girl. It was great seeing Pichayute too. I met him when he was 4 and couldn't speak any English. He used to call me on the phone and say " Miss Kim" and giggle...because that was all he could say! He's now in the 8th grade, can speak English and even did a year of high school in Indiana last year! What a fun night! Here are some of the pictures...I wish I took more.