I am teaching a group of teenagers and I see them three times a week. Sometimes they will do whatever they can to wriggle their way out of work. Sometimes they simply want to connect with the person teaching the class. Today was one of those days. It started when E asked me how old I was. I of course said, "You don't ask those kinds of questions."
"Well why not. Ms. S told us how her husband proposed to her."
"I'll tell you what, take a guess and I'll tell you if you hit it."
"24," she asks inquiringly. Now everyone is listening intently.
I smile and say, "not quite," thinking if I were I would scarcely be out of university.
"26 then." I tilt my head and smirk.
M blurts out, "28." At this point, I can't hold it in. I really start smiling, truth be told I was trying not to laugh. "I knew it!" he says. "Madame is 28. Look, she's blushing." Yep, that's how I look when I try to not laugh outright...nice rosy glow, that is.
Class went on as usual and close to the end E comes up and sits opposite me and takes a good hard look at me before saying, "I can't believe you're 28, you look so much younger."
I just love these kids. I wonder if the parents would notice if I took them home with me.
28 comments:
That´s a big compliment when they say you looks so much younger and that´s always really good to hear Carla.You can be proud about it!I am unfortunately already 12 (soon 13)years older as you ;O(....
I forgot to say you: Your picture is wonderful!
Wow, you were a lot younger when we graduated than I thought! ;D
Steffi, I doubt you are really that much older than me...and what is age anyways? It's what you feel. I glad you like the photo.
Cheryl, Yep, pretty tricky, eh? Those students obviously aren't looking very closely at my fine lines that are starting to show. They obviously have no idea.
I remember doing the same thing with my teachers and this brought a big smile ot my face :)
For the most part I agree age is a stste of mind. However, there are other times when my flesh and bones begin a vigorous debate about this and I must say they are a formidable opponent. The old saw "The mind is willing but the body is weak" comes to mind. Just turned 54, BTW.
But, I will not go quietly...
Randy
Guilty, It certainly made me laugh. I'm sure I must have done similar as well.
Randy, Certainly as we get older, the body does not bounce back nearly so quickly. Yep, I notice that too. And there gets to be a certain point when we can't hide our aging. But it's nice when those younger don't notice or haven't yet learned how to tell.
They don't trust anyone over 30 you know so there's no way they would talk to you if they thought you were 30. I got passed for 32 last week and I'm 46 so I guess that was nice. Of course my own teen thinks I'm older than dirt.
VE, It must be all the travel we do. Keeps us young at heart. Or perhaps it's just our maturity level :)
Well that would make anyone's day. I know it would make my day if someone thought I looked younger than 38.
Dawn, Then you should pay a visit to my classroom. From what I can tell, they have no idea what age looks like. It's really quite funny, but at the same time makes one feel very good about their youthfulness.
It would make my day if Dawn looked younger than 38 too LOL
That might get me in trouble but...ah...you only live once...or twice if you survive the first shot.
That is awesome how you are connecting with the kids in the class. The highschool I went to was pretty small. We all had great relationships with the teachers. It was a lot of fun that way. School on the other hand.....
Sirdar, This group of students are really a lot of fun. And I'm sure that Dawn looks younger than she really is.
This post is too sweet for words. Ah... the innocence of children!
Rowena, I know what you mean. I would like to get some of that innocence back.
This is a very sweet story indeed. Kids are sometimes so naive that you feel like thanking them to be the way they are. Thank God they exist!!!
have a good day.
Fede, Children do indeed keep us all youthful. I love their way of looking at the world.
Your students sound adorable...
I actually did my HNT about age and aging, what do you think?
In praise of older women!
Tracey, My students certainly have their moments. I will definitely check out your post. And yes, cheers to older women, beautiful, sophisticated and have lived enough to be interesting.
AW. What a lovely compliment and picture too! I bet that must have made your week!
Carrie, I'm still laughing about it. But you must remember, these are teenagers...obviously they don't have a lot of skill in determining age. But yes, it still feels good.
I thought I was "graceful" -- until i hit that "meno" phase. Too much changed too quickly.
You are blessed with youthful appearance. Add a vibrant exuberance for life-- you may have found the fountain of youth!
Pamela, You are too sweet. Thanks.
Hi Nomad! :) I have had similar experience in the classroom. I work with teens now, but I have also worked early primary-kindergarten. I used to love graphing "How Old Am I?" with them. They'd mostly peg me in my teens, or at that magical "one hundred." I was in my early thirties at the time. Yeah, kids - you've gotta love their perspective...but take them all home? I could never afford the shoes...
By & by (and I am suprised no one has asked...or have I missed something? - and if'n it ain't a faux pas to ask) - how old are you?
Have a great weekend.
Well, you have to remember...when we were kids...most of us couldn't IMAGINE living past 30!
Now I think 40 is young.
Perspectives...
xx
pinks
Fool, It's true, they would all be barefoot. I was kind of waiting for the question as well. A couple people know my age, but I don't think most do. Perhaps they're too scared to ask. In any case, I'm 37.
Pinks, I still think of my parents as being young, but that's probably more a state of mind.
You're still a sprite!
:)
I'm 49.
Fool, I suppose being a sprite is better than a coke.
Post a Comment