Oh, Jaime...

Yesterday was supposed to be an ordinary day. That didn't end up happening because I awoke to find an email in my inbox. Now, please  be aware that I receive emails every day, however I received one from 风中烟云. I am well aware that hardly anyone I know is literate in Chinese, to many these look like just a bunch of "Chinese stuff". I learned very quickly that these Chinese characters are the name of one of my most beloved students, Jaime. 

Growing up I was never a fan of "teachers pet" or having favorites in a classroom (even though on several occasions I was one of them ;)) . However, this summer having a classroom of my own, I realized that it is nearly impossible to not have a favorite or two... or five. There are just particular students that you are naturally drawn to as an educator. Jaime was most definitely a favorite. Perhaps I'll take a blog post to dedicate towards each one of my faves from this summer. The world should know their story. Jaime is something special.

Jaime, Jaime, Jaime, where to even begin. Jaime is a poor farm boy. His parents are farmers in a small town outside the small city to LongDe. He lives at LongDe #1 Middle School and takes the bus home on weekends. He lives away from his family and is the oldest of two. (The one-child rule is not as strongly in effect in the countryside of China. The term 'countryside' would be an understatement in describing where we were). Because Jaime lives at the school we had the occasion to eat lunch with him and a few other students who stayed at the schools cafeteria for lunch. He was always eating rice, his nose always dripping because of its ridiculous spice. He would tell me his dreams of becoming a soldier for his country when he grows up. He would look me in the eyes and say "I want to be a man of honest." 

Oh, Jaime's eyes. Our team would have nicknames for various students as we discussed them every other hour of the day. We would refer to Jaime as "Jaime with the sparkling eyes". Not that there was another Jaime to distinguish him from, but Jaime's eyes just sparkled in this way...it would be a disgrace to not credit them in his title. I would get lost in Jaime's eyes (not that I sat there and stared at him all day) but he was one of very few male students who would actually look me in the eye, as I was A.) a female, and B.) a teacher in a higher status than them. Jaime had a tender spirit, he was quiet and not attention seeking, yet he was a leader, and I could see it in my classroom. He was nearly always the first one done with any assignment, and his puppy eyes would follow me around the room as I checked his classmates work. When I would arrive at his desk, he would gleam and hand me his work, so proud to show me what he had done. Although there were plenty of mistakes, he was most often correct or had the general gist of what was correct.

Jaime, like all the other boys, had a love for anything sports, and a knack for messin' around, the same way teenage boys do here in America. Our final day, us teachers wanted to celebrate so we brought three cakes to our final day of class. It is Chinese custom not to eat the cake, but to wear it. As teachers, we weren't thinking ahead and 5 of us verses 80 students turned out to be...messy. In my pursuit of my students, I was blindsided by a handful of frosting in the face by non other than, Jaime. He was so proud that he was able to get me and made faces at me the rest of the day, the same way a younger brother would tease an older sister.

One of our class projects was to make a banner of all the things that we had learned during English Camp. The kids were instructed to use one piece of paper, and only use one side so we could turn it into a collage. How many sheets did Jaime use? Two. Did he write on both sides? Yes. Did he stay on task? No. But at the end of the day, he approaced me, a beaming smile and sparkling eyes "Miss Kayla, I make this for you." Two pieces of construction paper were loosely taped together. On one side, two hearts overlapping, like a venn diagram. One labeled, China, the other, USA. Written below, "I learn English, I learn how to appreciate another culture." On the back, a letter addressed specifically to me:

"Dear Miss Kayla,

I'm very happy to attend summer camp and I'm very happy to meet you! To be honest. 

You are a great teacher. I'm proud of you! especially your personality. Although. the time is not long. 

Also, you are friendly to us. from you careful teach. i learned many. 
I realized multiculture all over the world. 

and i learned many English skills that how to study English.

I think you will be leave us in the days but I'll never forget the time that we get along with. 

and I hope you can give you email for me we can talk each other in the future.

That's all. Thank you!

-Jaime"

This was one of the 'smile moments' we teachers shared in our office. Everyday after class we as a group would take about a half hour to gloat about our students and share the hilarious and heartwarming things that occurred in our classrooms. Jaime would continually tell me how proud he was of me. I don't think it quite sunk in that I was the one who was so proud of him.

One of our last days we had some free time in the building. I walked into the classroom to find Jaime and some fellow boys having fun on the chalkboard, writing Chinese characters. Upon requesting that I possibly learn one or two the boys immediately flocked to my learning aid.  We were having fun "you very quick, very good", and they very much were enjoying the chance to 'teach teacher.' One boy (not a student of mine) then asked what my Chinese name was. I informed them that I had no Chinese name. At this, their eyes bulged and they immidiately begain babbling in Chinese, fingers pointing at different parts of me, fits of laughter, head nods and drawings on the chalkboard. I said "Jaime, what is going on?" "We give you name. We want it to be for you." They progressed to give me the name kang ni  (康女). Kang means health, and ni is a common name given to a girl. "Health, for your energy and personality that is special," said Jaime.

Our final afternoon at LongDe #1 involved a lot of tears, a lot of hugs, and an hour long photoshoot with all the officials and half of the city. In the craziness of the paparazzi, gathering our things and exchange of gifts (note--gifts are HUGE in China) I lost the opportunity to say a final goodbye to some of my students. As we walked the long way back to our hotel, I silently noted to myself that Jaime was one of these students. It became something I was silently torn up about as we ate a final dinner with the school officials. Several courses, dice games, and cigarettes later, the school officials decided that we were tired and had to head back to our hotel (yes, I said that right--its the way things work in China, ask me about it sometime). Us teachers, walking down the street were taking in all of the maddness and beauty that was around us. We talked about how we didnt want to leave, our highlights of the day and whatnot. We were interrupted by a distant "Miss Kayla...". It came from accross the street. It was dark outside, anyone could have said it. I stopped to turn, and who was running towards me but Jaime. Through all the moments in China, this was one of my biggest God-moments.  He was allowing me to say my final goodbye. Jaime and I hugged on the street. And we said our goodbye. And we both walked away with misty, sparkling eyes.

I don't know why I fell so in love with Jaime, but I hope to keep his memory and spirit alive in who I am, in the stories I share. I have no doubt that he will grow up to be an honest man.

-康女