Nicknames

Most of my Korean students have an English name, some do not.  Also, with (I think) all or at least most Korean names, their given name is comprised of what seems like 2 names.  It's not a first and a middle name, they're both part of their "first" name.

I have one student whose second part of his name sounds like "cook".  The environment in my classroom is family-like, so if I happen to come up with a good nickname for a student, I'll use that instead (as long as they're okay with it).

Well this student's name "cook" turned into "cookie" in my head, which is how I came up with the name "chocolate chip"... if you only knew this student, you'd know how perfect of a name that is for him!  :D

In an effort to come up with a nickname for me, this student came up with "Ms Douglas - Hawk Eyes"... (Apparently I've mastered the trademark teacher skill of seeing what's going on behind me)

Unfortunately for me, when this student says "Ms. Douglas - Hawk Eyes" it sounds more like "Ms. Douglas - Hot Guys," which became a hot topic in my class one day.

In order to not have any confusion, my nickname has now been changed to "Ms. Douglas - Eagle Eyes"

:)

Have a great day!

P.S.  I have a friend who is undergoing leg surgery tomorrow.  Please keep him in your prayers.  

Who was the genius who named the 10th month OCTober?!?

So, as my roommate and I are preparing to go to Beijing tomorrow, we decided it would be good to order Chinese food and just bring it home so we don't have to worry about dishes and whatnot.  By the way, yes, you did just read that we order Chinese food and bring it home.  Some restaurants will even deliver it to your place of residence.  Yes, REAL Chinese Take-Out!!!  ;)

Well, I was at the restaurant a bit earlier than the usual dinner rush, thus, I was the only one there.  As this is a place we frequent quite a bit, the owner knows us.

Of course (and I knew this was going to happen) she tried to talk to me.  I love talking to people, but it is a bit of a struggle when its in a different language, especially on a Friday (after a long work week), especially after being the team leader for the Blue House during today's Field Day.  Needless to say, my brain had turned into mush.

As a holiday starts, it is natural to ask others what they're doing for their vacation.  Unfortunately, my mush of a brain couldn't think logically like that when the owner asked me something about a "fangjia".  I really couldn't remember what a "fangjia" was, so after several "uh, fangjia?'s" I finally told her, I didn't understand.

She wouldn't let it go though.  She kept saying "fangjia, fangjia," then something about a date.

Eventually I pulled out my ipod touch that has a couple different chinese dictionaries on it.  I had her write the character...

Of course, "fangjia" meant vacation.  DUH!!!

So I told her I am leaving for Beijing tomorrow.  I then told her that "wo hui wuhan zai ba yue wu hao"  (translation: I return to wuhan 8 month 5 day).

She looked at me funny (rightly so).  Then she said "shi(r) yue?" (translation: 10 month?)

UM DUH, ABBY!!!  OI!  Such silly mistakes...

Anyway, let's think about this for a moment...
Octagon, Octopus.. what do they have in common?  8, that's what.  An Octagon has 8 sides.  An Octopus has 8 tentacles.

Seriously??  Who came up with the name October for the 10th month?!?

Anyway, just thought I'd share my silly moment from today with ya'll!