I just returned from teaching on one of the islands here. I didn't see much of the island itself, so this entry is not about the terrain, but about my experience at one of the junior high schools where I teach. Today, for the first time in a very long time, I felt absolutely overwhelmed with joy from seeing another person experiencing the same thing. One of my students was so happy today to be in English class that just moments after finishing a round of the "telephone game" and getting ready for another round of it, he skipped along with such a sense of excitement and wonder that he looked like this moment of his life was the best moment he'd ever experienced. The object of winning the game was not his priority and there was no agenda or self-consciousness in his behavior, it was just that he was enjoying that particular moment and was also happy that others were having a good time as well. I could see in his expression that he wore this joy with a developing humility and a love for life, so that when I saw his smile I couldn't help be feel like my heart would burst (it's a cliche, but I thought for a second that I might cry in class). Maybe I'm projecting, but I really did sense the same extreme joy this student of mine expressed and I wanted to capture this moment because I don't see it happen often. I later told the JTE (the English teacher) about this and she said that he is such a good person who always goes out of his way to help her and that he is extremely gifted with language and in the arts, especially with music. I really hope this student goes on to do amazing things with his life. I suspect he will. His English language skills are at an exceptionally high level and I have a feeling he may be a genius.
