The last day of school was slightly anticlimactic…for the English teachers anyway(umm…ok for me).  None of my classes came to our classroom for the entire last week–with good reason though.  There was an sixth grade basketball tournament, graduation performances to practice, and good ol’ fashioned debauchery.  The halls were filled with screaming children, but it was hard to be annoyed.  The idea and the euphoria of the last week filled even us (note to all students: teachers are just as excited, if not more so for breaks, vacations, school cancellations, etc.).  The only time I saw students was when a few would come in and have me sign their yearbooks or fill out a little profile card.  Most of the time I watched old movies on my computer–not bad really.  The last day no one came at all.  I was, however, invited down to one of my favorite classes for their last-day-party.  

When I got down there, kids were barbecuing on the floor! I was expecting chips and juice or soda, and maybe some strange Taiwanese snack, but not freshly grilled meat! Once you got past the slightly sweet flavor that I found in most meat here, it was really quite good!  So after a quick nibble, I was able to leave for the afternoon and mentally prepare myself for the graduation ceremony that evening.

Being a foreign guest I was invited to sit on the stage facing the entire student/parent/guest population, which was nice because I got to see everything, but it was also harder to figure out what was going on since it was quite obvious when I whispered to someone else.  

But students performed

…from dancing, to singing, to instrumentals…these kids are amazing.  To study as hard as they do and still have time for that?! Wow.

Then top students got awards, a few people made a speech, and then poof! it was over!  Before I knew it everyone was dispersing and going their own separate ways.  It was kind of a sad way to leave the school, but I did get to say goodbye to a few students before they got away!  

And although they could be frustrating at times, I’ll never forget these kids.