So, not everyone loves BBQ

Last Saturday my husband and I sponsored a BBQ for my students in Brighton. My husband spent the week leading up to the BBQ making home made ice cream and preparing BBQ ribs. He got up at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning and put the ribs on the smoker so that they would be ready by 2:00 in the afternoon. We really wanted this to be a special day.

We laughed at ourselves after the BBQ. We were so 'self impressed' over preparing such a delicacy as a treat for my students and their families. But, as we were all sitting down to eat, my husband noticed most of our guests trying to cut the ribs with their knives and wondering exactly what they had on their plates. Looking back it reminds me of my travels around the world and having some hosts in China so proud to serve me chicken feet and fish head soup (literally - a fish head in the soup bowl). I asked some of my students if they eat BBQ normally and they all said "not really".

So, lesson learned. What we consider 'normal' and 'special' others are wondering what we see in it. Looking back we should have thought of this. But, on the other hand, hopefully our guests were happy to experience some of the American culture. (And didn't laugh too much at us later...better yet, got a fun chuckle out of us...)

Overall, it was a great day. Almost all my students and their families came. It was wonderful to meet the spouses and children of these special people I spend two evenings a week with. And, it was great to see how proud these families are of their loved ones over their progress acquiring the English language.

Thank you goes to my awesome husband and also to my wonderful daughter (step) and her boyfriend (who came and helped as well). It was great to have them share in the experience and have my students meet my family too.

People Care

Last night a student who is unable to attend class for several weeks while she is in a college course came in to make a payment on her books. (I'll call her 'J'.) She was beaming with joy over a recent introduction to a volunteer ('A') who offered to meet students over coffee for conversation. They had met last Saturday for the first session. 'J' could hardly contain her excitment over how much she had learned in that one meeting and the new friendship she already forged with 'A'. In fact, they had talked about eventually going to stores and local businesses to practice English in real life situations.

You know, I am continually surprised (pleasantly) by the community outreach to these students of English as a second language. 'A' came to me through the Broomfield library. The library has been extraordinary in their support of the ESL program both in Broomfield and Brighton - yet another example of the outpouring of support. 'A' was interested in helping with the ESL program but travels during the week - thus was unable to commit to regular classroom instruction. But, where there is a will there is a way and immediately 'A' reached out to 'J' and arranged a mutually convenient meeting time.

And, love reflects love ... already 'J' and 'A' are friends. And, I'm sure it will be a lifetime friendship. I could literally see it all over 'J's face. She was thrilled with the experience she had last Saturday and could hardly wait to tell me all about it. I do have to admit I had a twinge of jealousy - I would love to have the time to also give to my students outside the classroom like this. But at the end of the day, what is important is that these relationships are being forged and these students I love so much are truly immersing in the communities they live in.

It's interesting how this facet of the 'program' is growing. There is a similar situation in the Broomfield program as well. 'D' embraced two ladies from Korea who needed conversational experience when we started the Broomfield program in April. They all have children the same age and meet frequently while their children spend time together as well. 'D' has told me these two ladies are her friends and she feels like the blessed one to have met them. I received a letter from one lady ('S') thanking me for the introduction to her new friend.

These are perfect examples of how prejudices and stereotypes evaporate as we open our hearts and lives to one another. While each of these situations in isolation seem small, I can see the big picture. The world is getting smaller...one person, one hour, one conversation at a time.

(Note: the picture in this post is by tompagenet on Flickr.)