Ame: Easter break!

In Canada, Easter break would mean 4 days off, without seeing the students (and probably not thinking about them either). However, here it meant 10 days off with tons of things to do, including seeing the students. We had asked if it was ok to go out for lunch with the students, so they could talk to us in English in a less formal setting. Since my students are 17-18 years old, I told some of them that if they wanted to do something during the break, they could email me. So, on Monday, we went out for lunch with 2 of my students. They brought us to a Korean BBQ Buffet. It was amazing! There was a grill in the middle of the table where we could cook whichever food we chose from the buffet. It was delicious.

Korean BBQ Buffet

Then, they took us shopping, just about everywhere in Mong Kok. We even had supper with them too, at a really good noodle place and we went shopping some more. It was really nice to be able to talk with the students about normal things instead of Uniform Tests and school, and also to see them in "regular" clothes! It was a really nice day and I think that everyone appreciated it.

Ocean Park with the students!

Then, on Wednesday, Juanita and I were bringing 22 students to Ocean Park. Unfortunately, it rained all day and we were really cold but we still had a lot of fun! Juanita left with her 5 form 4 students (and 2 of mine) and I left with my 15 form 6 students. Again, it was really nice to spend some time doing "normal" things with the students. We saw pandas, jellyfish, sharks, sea lions, dolphins, etc. We went into some of the rides. Funny thing, the students were all terrified to go in the rides! I made two of my students come with me in The Abyss (which is like the Orbite at LaRonde). They screamed the whole time and wanted to kill me for making them do this. I couldn't help but laugh the whole time. It was nice to see some overly confident ("I'm too cool for this") students be a bit more vulnerable. The students were really happy to spend some time with us outside of the school and be able to ask us a bunch of questions about us. I think it helped create a bond with them and it made them more willing to communicate in English. I wish we had time to do something like that again before we leave, but sadly, I don't think it will be possible.

Cute panda

Before going in The Abyss