905

In elementary school, I remember talking about people who influence you and who you influence. We were told to think of the people who make a difference in our lives and to make a list of them. I wrote my parents, my friends, family and probably my dog. That list hasn't changed much. My parents are still my number one backers, my friends and family a jumbled list of great people who I rely on everyday (and they are probably very unbeknown of it), and then, you know, I think still rely on my dog, even if she has been dead for four years. Nothing has really changed, and I'm quite proud of that. Though I might be able to add a few different characters to that friend category that certainly weren't there before and who have most definitely changed my views on the world... Those cards know who they are I believe :P)

Then there was the second list we were told to make. It was a list of the people we influence, whether for good or for bad. That list is most definitely a bit different now. When I was ten, I believe I wrote all of my friends and then maybe the fish I fed every morning (though forgetting sometimes, thus passing the chore onto my mother.) In all I think the grand total was ten or fifteen things/people I influenced. I couldn't even really count my dog as she was fed by my dad and brushed by my mom. I just played with her. Perhaps she counts. We'll say she does. So maybe sixteen people/things. Sixteen.

The title gives my grand total away, but this is what I figured out this week. With all of the classes I teach, an estimated 35 to 40 students in each class, five to seven classes in a grade, and four grades. The grand total of people I influence on a weekly basis is 9-0-5. Nine-hundred and five! I can't even believe it! That's 56.2 times the people/things from my first list. And that's not including all of the new friends I made, nor the sixth grade I taught last year. If one were to count them the grand total would be more like 1,200-1,300. My goodness! How life spins and churns. I don't think I ever dreamed I'd be so influential. I'm really not that kind of person. I never wanted to lead anything once I got into junior high school. I just wanted to enjoy everything. Now I get to do both and I'm bewildered of myself. Absolutely astounded, and a little regrettably proud. I usually save the bragging for my mom (she doesn't think she does, but she does a bit... and you know, all moms should and must!), but for this number of minds I've touched, well, I can't help myself. I think it's awesome.

So, on that note, here are some more pictures of the cherubs I've gotten to know and love over the past year. They have changed my second list and astounded me, but have also changed my first one, too. It's now 1,300 people long and growing :)

My fifth grade class.

The usual stance of the fifth grade and up. BOREDOM. Until I get them riled up that is...

My favorite third grade class. So cute!!! The girl in the pink up front has the biggest smile and cutest voice I've ever heard. And what does she use that charm for? To call out my name whenever she meets me in the hall. "JENNA TEACHA!!!!!!" Grabbing my arm and hanging on it like I'm some camp counselor or older sister. What can I say? I love it. All of the third graders have started to follow her lead though. So it's getting to be take down Jenna or rip apart Jenna, which is a bit more taxing on me than first was. I feel like bird seed actually. All of the birds flock to me and I look like that bird-feeder lady in Home Alone. Then comes Jiny, my co-teacher, around the corner to save the day and shoo the birds away before Jenna gets eaten/torn apart. Ah... and I still love them, and Jiny.

My birthday surprise. A huge and very scrumptious cake, candles and a choir of my co-teacher, another lovely friend teacher and my fifth grade co-teacher. They sang to me in English, then Korean. Then left me with a seriously large cake to either stuff myself or divide between whatever teachers I could find on a friday. Needless to say, by the time I was through with the cake, there wasn't much less to divy up!

The lines. Practicing them at least. They may be no army or grand marching band, but they do pretty good for little kids full or wonder and energy. They also don't look like much here and that's because this is only half the school. Naturally, it's easier to practice when you have a little leg room!